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Moon
Scientists grew plants in the lunar regolith for the first time ever. They used samples from three different Apollo missions (11, 12, 17). The plants used were Arabidopsis thaliana (thale cress, mouse-ear cress). After 16 days it was clear that plants grew smaller in regolith from regions exposed to cosmic radiation for longer time.
Mission | Timing | Status |
---|---|---|
Apollo 11 | 16. 7. 1969 - 24. 7. 1969 | Ended: Success |
Apollo 12 | 14. 11. 1969 - 24. 11. 1969 | Ended: Success |
Apollo 17 | 7. 12. 1972 - 19. 12. 1972 | Ended: Success |
This research shows that it might be possible to grow plants on the Moon without the need of transporting soil from Earth. Future colonists may just use the regolith from the Moon's surface or under it. NASA plans to send astronauts to the Moon's surface in 2025.