In 2026, astronauts will bring crops to the Moon

Research on plant growth is one of three experiments that Artemis 3 Program astronauts plan to deploy on the Moon.

Artemis 3 astronauts landing on the lunar surface after more than half a century will build a mini greenhouse on the Moon, if all goes according to plan.

To accomplish this mission, NASA recently planned to select the first three scientific experiments that will be deployed by astronauts on the surface of the Moon in the Artemis 3 Mission Program in 2026, among them are LEAF ("Experiment on the Effects of the Moon on Agricultural Flora"). This experiment will study how plants function in the lunar environment.

Artemis Program astronauts will bring crops to the Moon in 2026. (Photo: istock).

' LEAF will be the first experiment to observe photosynthesis, growth, and systemic stress responses of plants in space radiation and low gravity ,' NASA officials wrote in a statement announcing the Proposing three experiments.

They also shared: ' Data on plant growth and development, along with environmental parameters measured by the LEAF experiment, will help scientists understand how plants grown on the surface can be used. moon to provide nutrition for humans, support life on the Moon and more '.

In fact, experiments like LEAF are not the first to appear on the Moon. China sent cotton plants to the far reaches of the Moon on the Chang'e 4 robotic mission in January 2019.

Next, LEMS is an automated seismometer experiment used to hunt for earthquakes on the Moon . NASA officials affirmed: ' This experiment will describe the regional structure of the Moon's crust and mantle, promising to add valuable information to models of the formation and evolution of the Moon ' .

Meanwhile, the LDA experiment will measure the ability of the Moon's regolith layer - which is the Moon's top layer of dust and gravel - to study electric field transmission. NASA officials wrote: ' This experiment will collect necessary information about the structure of the Moon's regolith layer, monitoring changes in the electric field of this geological layer, if any '.

These experiments could be deployed near the Moon's south pole, an area thought to have abundant water ice that would support one or more crew bases. The exact location is unknown, NASA has not yet announced the final landing site for the Artemis 3 mission.

And there's no guarantee that experimental programs like LEAF, LEMS and LDA will be officially available on Artemis 3. That's the current plan, but final clear decisions are still a while away. more time.