NASA’s recent study on Plant Water Management explores techniques like hydroponics and air circulation for growing plants in spacecraft and space habitats. Harmony, which connects international space labs and spacecraft, provides essential life-support systems, including air, electricity, and water, and also serves as a docking station for commercial crew vehicles.

In earlier updates, NASA shared that astronauts were experimenting with different methods to water plants in a weightless, soilless environment. Sunita Williams initially set up Plant Water Management equipment in the module and tested various liquid flow methods. Subsequently, Wilmore conducted further experiments using hydroponics and air circulation to optimize plant nourishment in microgravity conditions.

 

10-Day Mission Turns STRANDED! Astronauts Research: It was reported that Williams also explored using fluid physics, such as surface tension, to address the challenges of watering and nourishing plants in space without gravity. Additionally, the astronauts participated in Vein scans using the Ultrasound 2 device, which allowed doctors on Earth to monitor their body veins and study the effects of microgravity on the human body.

Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore are currently part of the crew stranded in their Boeing Starliner spacecraft. Launched on June 5, the mission was initially planned to last 10 days. However, after docking at the International Space Station on June 6, the spacecraft encountered helium leaks and thruster problems, altering the mission’s schedule. As engineers work to resolve these issues, the astronauts continue their research. We can only hope they safely return to Earth soon.