When people and equipment travel to the International Space Station, microbes like bacteria and fungi also come along for the ride. While some are harmless or even beneficial, some hitchhiking […]
Planet biology
Posted inPlant Biology
Seven Ways the International Space Station Helps Us Study Plant Growth in Space
As NASA plans long-duration missions to the Moon and Mars, a key factor is figuring out how to feed crews during their weeks, months, and even years in space. Food […]
Posted inPlant Biology
Extra Dwarf Pak Choi Plants Growing On The Space Station
Extra Dwarf Pak Choi plants are pictured growing inside the Veggie space botany research facility aboard the International Space Station. The Veg-03 investigation is exploring how to grow food in […]
Posted inPlant Biology
Microgravity Works Wonders With Plant Transplants
An early challenge turned into a surprise success on the International Space Station that could be a boon for the future of space crop production. NASA astronaut Mike Hopkins recently […]
Posted inAstronauts and Explorers, Plant Biology, Press Release, Space Agriculture, Space Stations
Astronauts Harvest First Radish Crop on International Space Station
On Nov. 30, 2020, NASA astronaut Kate Rubins harvested radish plants growing in the Advanced Plant Habitat (APH) aboard the International Space Station. She meticulously collected and wrapped in foil […]
Posted inGenomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Press Release
Genome Sequence Of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii Submitted To NASA Genelab Data Repository
Chlamydomonas reinhardtii is the first single-cell green algae data to be submitted to NASA GeneLab’s Data Repository. Microalgae such as this convert light, water, & carbon dioxide into biomass under […]
Posted inNASA Astrobiology Program, People Of Astrobiology, Plant Biology, Space Life Science
Thora Halstead, Space Biologist
Keith’s note: When I first came to Washington in 1986 I had the extreme pleasure of working with Thora at NASA Headquarters. Thora learned her craft from the very first […]