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The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully germinated cowpea seeds in space using PSLV-C60's POEM-4 platform.

ISRO’s CROPS (Compact Research Module for Orbital Plant Studies (CROPS) mission  

The CROPS payload, developed by the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), is a multi-phase platform designed to develop ISRO's capabilities for growing and sustaining flora in extra-terrestrial environments.

It was launched on December 30, 2024, the experiment involved cowpea seeds housed in the POEM-4 platform, which repurposes the PSLV rocket's fourth stage for scientific research.

Within four days of launch, eight cowpea seeds sprouted their first leaves, demonstrating plant growth potential in space.

The CROPS experiment provides insights into microgravity effects, supporting deep space exploration, and contributing to astrobotany.

About the POEM-4 Platform

The PSLV Orbital Experiment Module (POEM)-4, also known as POEM-4, is a space research platform used for microgravity experiments.

It is part of the ISRO SpaDeX Mission and has a capacity three times greater than the previous POEM-3 platform.

The platform includes experiments on robotics, sensors, space science, and proof-of-concept technologies. It helps to test technologies for future missions and provides data for space medicine and Earth applications.

The platform has 24 payloads, including the Walking Robotic Arm (RRM-TD), a robotic manipulator for inspection and servicing, a debris capture robotic manipulator for space clean-up, and a Gradient Control Reaction Wheel Assembly (RWA) for improved attitude stabilization.

About Space farming

Space farming is the practice of growing crops in space or on other celestial bodies for food and other materials. 

Space farming has many potential benefits, including:

• Reducing payload mass: Growing food in space can reduce the amount of mass that needs to be transported from Earth, which can significantly lower the cost of long-term missions. 
• Enabling self-contained pods: The ability to grow food on-site could make it possible to establish colonies on other planets. 
• Influencing farming practices on Earth: Space agriculture could lead to more effective production methods, greater yields, and closed-loop nutrient and water recycling systems. 

Space farming requires the use of specialised greenhouses equipped with LED lighting, controlled-release fertiliser, and a porous clay substrate to transport water, oxygen, and nutrients to plant roots.

Challenges in Space farming

It is difficult to provide plants with the resources they require to thrive, such as water, nutrients, and light. Sustainable cultivation requires efficient resource management.

The absence of gravity in space affects plant growth, including root development, nutrient uptake, and water distribution. Plants may grow more horizontally instead of vertically, and their roots may not grow as deep. 

Space farmers must protect crops from harmful radiation and space weather, which can damage plant DNA and hinder growth. Radiation-shielding domes are being developed to help with this. 

Long-duration space missions may not have the support of resupply shipments of food from Earth. 

Most plants on Earth grow toward natural sunlight, but researchers must find ways to trick plants in space to do the same. 

Way Forward

ISRO's CROPS experiment highlights India's astrobotany capabilities and commitment to long-term space exploration. The successful germination of cowpea seeds on the PSLV-C60 mission lays the groundwork for sustainable space agriculture and deep-space missions. 

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SpaDeX Mission

ISRO Missions

Source: 

India TV news