NASA is preparing a bold mission: sending astronauts from the Artemis program to the Moon to not only explore the lunar surface, but also grow plants.
Artemis 3, scheduled for late 2026, will be the first manned mission to the Moon in the 21st century.
According to NASA, three experiments were selected to be sent to the Moon. One of them aims to study the ability of plants to survive and grow in the lunar environment.
The experiment called LEAF (acronym in English for Lunar Effects on Agricultural Flora) will be led by Christine Escobar, from the company Space Lab Technologies.
It will investigate how plants behave under the Sun’s illumination at the lunar south pole, considering space radiation and the Moon’s weaker gravity.
Therefore, this study is crucial to assess the viability of future plantations in lunar greenhouses. In addition to providing food for crews on the Moon, these plants can also help keep the air breathable. Thus, converting carbon dioxide into oxygen through photosynthesis.
Other experiments on Artemis 3
Two other experiments selected by NASA to go along with the Artemis mission are the LEMS (Lunar Environment Monitoring Station) and the LDA (Lunar Dielectric Analyzer).
The LEMS will monitor seismic activity in the south polar region of the Moon. While the LDA will measure the ability of the lunar regolith (the dust that covers the surface) to propagate an electric field, seeking out volatile substances, such as ice.
These experiments are essential for preparing future crewed missions to Mars and for understanding how plants can overcome stressful conditions in food-scarce areas on Earth.
The research also marks a return to the experiments begun in the Apollo missions. Showing that, even after 50 years, space exploration continues to surprise us and open new horizons for humanity.
