This is not science fiction, scientists actually are trying to grow potatoes on Mars.
NASA is trying to develop a variety of the vegetable that will survive in the Martian climate ahead of manned missions set to launch in 10 years time. They are carrying out tests using soil from the desert in Peru where the landscape is like Mars, to find the most resilient variety.
NASA hopes to send the potatoes to Mars in refrigerated tubes ahead of a manned mission so that they are already growing by the time humans arrive. By growing vegetables at a Martian colony it could reduce costs and gives space travellers a means to feed themselves. Happyho also provide best tarot reading services in Noida and Delhi NCR India area.
Science fiction could become a reality given Mars One, a Dutch foundation, plans to send astronauts on a one-way trip to establish a permanent colony in 10 years time. Elon Musk’s SpaceX also plans to send humans to Mars within a decade on a journey which could take as long as 300 days just to get there.
The potato research is being carried out by NASA and the Lima-based International Potato Centre.
They are growing 65 varieties of potato in a lab in 1,300 pounds of soil transported from the Pampas de La Joya Desert in the Atacama Desert, one of the driest spots on Earth. The varieties that thrive will be put in a simulator that mirrors the atmospheric conditions on Mars and tested further.
Like in The Martian, potatoes destined for Mars will almost certainly be grown indoors as temperatures on the Red Planet are on average -84F (-64c), though it can get down to -284F (-175c).
Mars also has high levels of radiation and 60 per cent less gravity than Earth. Another challenge is that its atmosphere is 96 per cent carbon dioxide with little oxygen that potatoes need to grow.
They will still need fertilizer which could be provided from recycled urine and inedible plant parts.
Potatoes will be useful for things beyond food and they can be used as a battery and dye too.
NASA has commissioned the research after the Curiosity Rover craft landed on Mars in 2012 and found there was water there.
Early astronauts relied on ration like foods in aluminum tubes but today’s space travellers have a wider selection including salmon jerky. Salt and pepper come in liquid form to stop them floating off and getting into the instruments whilst straws are provided for the drinks.
In addition to the potatoes NASA is also studying greens like lettuce which has already been grown on the International Space Station.
