NASA has used its new growth chambers on the space shuttle and the Russian Mir space station. NASA's scientists are currently developing lager chambers for the international space station. Its major purpose was to find out how we can grow our own food during our stays in space. As flights lengthen, it will be essential to grow food in space rather than provide it using the space shuttle as a deliverer of groceries. They also beautify the surroundings.
G rowing plants on a space shuttle is no easy endeavor.
Each item on board must be carefully engineered and tested against worst-case scenarios. The conditions of a space station are very different from those we have on Earth. One of the unknowns was the performance of these new growth support systems in minimal gravity. Since fluids behave differently in microgravity, plant-watering systems that work well on Earth do not operate as well in space. Plants need light and water to grow, and providing these two crucial elements in space can be challenging.