Gardening in space: Sultan AlNeyadi’s new experiment looks at mental health impact of growing food

The Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) announced that UAE astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi took part in the HRF Veg experiment, that focuses on space nutrition, on the International Space Station (ISS), as per state news agency WAM.

Conducted in collaboration with Kennedy Space Centre (KSC), Johnson Space Centre (JSC) and NASA, the study aims to transform human understanding of space agriculture, nutrition, and its impact on mental health for those growing it.

Space nutrition and agriculture

The HRF Veg experiment focuses on understanding the overall behavioural health benefits of having plants and fresh food in space for plants grown from the VEG-05 science investigation. The investigation involved growing dwarf tomatoes under controlled light and fertiliser conditions to comprehend their nutrition, taste, and safety, reported WAM.

It also investigates the psychological impact on astronauts growing, tending, and consuming fresh produce during long-duration space missions.

Adnan AlRais, mission manager, UAE Astronaut Programme, said, “The HRF Veg experiment is an important study towards enabling sustainability in space exploration. This collaborative effort with NASA, Kennedy Space Centre and the Johnson Space Centre fortifies our understanding of food cultivation in space, nourishing the physical health and psychological wellbeing of astronauts on prolonged missions. We are privileged to contribute to this pivotal research through astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi, and we are sure that the result from this study holds potential to shape the future of long-term habitation in space.”

Here I am using the Multi-use Variable-g Platform which allows us to conduct experiments on plants, cells, protein crystals and others, with the ability to simulate up to two times the force of gravity.?
These experiments can help study the behaviour and growth of organisms. pic.twitter.com/2J0xH9O7EM

— Sultan AlNeyadi (@Astro_Alneyadi) July 16, 2023

Crew members on the ISS act as gardeners, tending and watering the plants, pollinating them, and harvesting the fruit. Half of the harvested tomatoes are set to be consumed by the ISS crew, while the remaining are to be returned to Earth for comprehensive analysis.

The crew will also participate in taste tests and complete questionnaires to evaluate the sensory quality of the produce such as flavour, colour, aroma, sweetness, and more.

The HRF Veg experiment is a testament to human innovation and adaptability, pushing the boundaries of space exploration, and providing fresh perspectives on sustainable living in space.

The outcome will lay the groundwork for advanced plant growth systems for future space missions, heralding a new era of space nutrition and wellbeing.