How mold on space station flowers is helping get us to Mars
Tuesday, January 19, 2016 - 16:40
in Astronomy & Space
Mold growth initially grew on the plant in pillow E in the bottom left corner of the plant mat. When Scott Kelly tweeted a picture of moldy leaves on the current crop of zinnia flowers aboard the International Space Station, it could have looked like the science was doomed. In fact, science was blooming stronger than ever. What may seem like a failure in systems is actually an exceptional opportunity for scientists back on Earth to better understand how plants grow in microgravity, and for astronauts to practice doing what they'll be tasked with on a deep space mission: autonomous gardening.