In the next years, several space missions will search for evidence of life on exoplanets, focusing on robust biosignatures associated with oxygenic photosynthesis, including atmospheric oxygen accumulation and the Vegetation […]
Plant Biology
Posted inGaia - Planetary Perspectives, Nomenclature, Systematics, Natural History, Origin & Evolution of Life, Plant Biology, Press Release
From Sea To Soil: Molecular Changes Suggest How Algae Evolved Into Plants
Before plants evolved, vegetative life consisted of primitive green algae living in the sea. Like plants, these algae survived by performing photosynthesis, turning sunlight into energy. However, little light reaches […]
Posted inGravitational Biology, Life Support Systems, Microgravity, Plant Biology, Space Agriculture, Space Life Science, Status Report
Peas on Mars: A Study Of Garden Pea, Lathyrus Oleraceus (Pisum sativum), Growth In Martian Regolith Simulant Treated With Black Soldier Fly Frass
Future long-duration missions to Mars will require in situ food production systems to reduce dependence on resupply missions and enhance crew autonomy.
Posted inBiosignatures & Paleobiology, Conferences and Meetings, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Habitable Zones, Plant Biology, Press Release
NASA Exoplanets System Science Extraterrestrial Photosynthesis Workshop
May 15-17, 2026Heidel House, Green Lake, Wisconsin, USAPreceding AbSciCon 2026 Applications for the NExSS Extraterrestrial Photosynthesis Workshop are now open. Deadline to apply is January 11, 2026.
Posted inExtremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Gravitational Biology, Microgravity, Missions & Hardware, Panspermia, Plant Biology, Press Release, Space Agriculture, Space Life Science, Space Stations
This Moss Survived 9 Months Directly Exposed To The Elements Of Space
Mosses thrive in the most extreme environments on Earth, from the peaks of the Himalayas to the sands of Death Valley, the Antarctic tundra to the lava fields of active […]
Posted inLife Support Systems, Plant Biology, Press Release, Space Agriculture, Space Life Science, Space Stations
Offworld Agriculture: Astronauts Plant Seed Pillows
When the Crew-11 astronauts launched to the International Space Station on August 1, 2025, they carried with them another chapter in space farming: the latest VEG-03 experiments, complete with seed […]
Posted inBiochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Conferences and Meetings, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Microbiology & Virology, Origin & Evolution of Life, Plant Biology, Status Report
NASA/NExSS Extraterrestrial Photosynthesis Workshop
A NASA Exoplanets System Science (NExSS) WorkshopMay 15-17, 2026Heidel House, Green Lake, Wisconsin, USAPreceding AbSciCon 2026
Posted inAstropharmacy / Biotechnology, Gravitational Biology, Life Support Systems, Microgravity, Plant Biology, Space Agriculture, Space Life Science, Status Report
Exploring Plant Responses To Altered Gravity For Advancing Space Agriculture
Plants are vital to human space exploration, providing oxygen, food, and psychological benefits to astronauts while contributing to water regeneration by recycling organic waste.
Posted inBiogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Gaia - Planetary Perspectives, Habitable Zones, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Origin & Evolution of Life, Plant Biology, Press Release, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography
Detecting Alien Living Worlds And Photosynthetic Life Using Imaging Polarimetry With The HWO Coronagraph
Our Earth, being the only living planet that we know, provides us with clues that photosynthetic life-forms may be dominant on other exoplanets for billions of years.
Posted inAstronauts and Explorers, Life Support Systems, Microgravity, Missions & Hardware, Plant Biology, Space Agriculture, Space Life Science, Status Report
Offworld Space Botany Hardware
NASA astronaut Nichole Ayers is pictured inside the cupola with space botany hardware that supports the LEO Integrated Flori-culture Experiment (LIFE) 01 (Rhodium Plant LIFE) investigation.