Salad seeds that went on a round trip to outer space and back grew at a slightly slower rate than their Earth-bound counterparts, scientists have found. A million rocket seeds (Eruca sativa) amounting to 2kg were sent to the International Space Station (ISS) in 2015 in a project supported by British astronaut Tim Peake. Although spaceflight did not compromise seed viability and development of the seedlings, the researchers said the “germination vigour” of the seeds was reduced. The researchers believe the radiation exposure during Mars missions would be at least five times greater than that of the ISS. Finally planted our Tim Peake seeds with my very own team of Holmbush space biologists!

Source: Irish Independent May 14, 2020 23:03 UTC