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nsuring that plants receive the nourishment they need xnx < {{n { age-old challenge for farm- ers here on Earth. It is also a challenge in space. NASA is one step closer to determining the
Project Examines How to Water Plants in Space
By Adam Schabel
use of soil. The second method involved hydroponics. In this method, no soil is present and the plant sits directly in water. x< < 8<<<8 L.{ s or simulated, plants for use during the project. Using live plants would pose a challenge, mostly for shelf-life purposes. They used felt, fabric, foam and sponges to create simulated plants that mirrored the root < 8 < < F live plant, among other physical .x .<{.v x{ s x< team did not have to match the -{n F {n {x < plant. 'x< {n x< <<{- ment, fruit punch containing nutrients and sugar, helped { < < : x{< .8{v "88{ s x< color of the juice could be easily << 8{n -v 6 .<. .<<<8 { <. F x< <<{
Source: NASA
Astronaut Mike Hopkins works with the PWM Hydroponics Test Cell on the space station.
NASA
The PWM Hydroponics Test Cell was used to help researchers determine the most effective way to provide adequate hydration and aeration for plants to grow in space.
NASA
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