In the Crops on ISS experiment, scientists are sending six types of crop seeds to the International Space Station (ISS) to see how they grow in space. Space is a very different place—there’s no gravity, and everything floats! This affects how plants grow. Scientists will check how fast the crops grow and look at their genes to see how space changes them. This experiment is all about finding out which crops can grow best in space, so astronauts can have fresh food on long trips to the Moon or Mars.
The Sprouts experiment focuses on how seeds begin to grow (germinate) and how they develop in space. Scientists will study how space affects the germination, growth, and nutritional quality of the crops. They will also check for microbes (tiny organisms like bacteria) on the crops. By studying these crops, scientists hope to understand how they can grow healthy, safe food for astronauts to eat in space.
Both experiments are connected because they help scientists understand how to grow food in space—a key part of space farming. If astronauts can grow their own food during long missions, they won’t have to rely on bringing everything from Earth. This research helps make sure that one day, astronauts can live on the Moon or Mars and grow their own fresh crops!