Leaves emerge from crop cultivated in Space : ISRO

Chennai, Jan 7, 2025: After achieving a significant breakthrough in cultivating crops in space, ISRO has announced that leaves have begun to emerge from the plants. This crop cultivation experiment is part of the 24 scientific experiments launched aboard the POEM-4, the fourth stage of the PSLV-C60. The mission also carried two Spadex Satellites for a space docking experimental technology initiative, propelling India into the league of nations—alongside the US, Russia, and China—that have mastered this advanced technology. The achievement is expected to bolster India’s future inter-planetary missions, including Chandrayaan-4, Gaganyaan, and plans for establishing a Space Station. In a post on X, ISRO announced, “Leaves have emerged! VSSC’s CROPS (Compact Research Module for Orbital Plant Studies) aboard PSLV-C60 POEM-4 achieves a milestone as cowpea sprouts unveil their first leaves in space. #ISRO #BiologyInSpace #POEM4.”An earlier tweet stated, “Life sprouts in space! VSSC’s CROPS (Compact Research Module for Orbital Plant Studies) experiment onboard PSLV-C60 POEM-4 successfully sprouted cowpea seeds in 4 days. Leaves expected soon. #ISRO #BiologyInSpace.”It may be recalled that the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has set a unique record of cultivating crops in space and demonstrated its first walking robotic arm in orbit. Both achievements are part of the scientific experiments conducted under POEM-4, launched on PSLV-C60 as part of the Spadex space docking technology mission on December 30, 2024.The demonstration of the walking robotic arm on POEM-4 stands as a proud milestone under the Make in India initiative. Using one of the 24 scientific experiments aboard POEM-4, cowpea seeds sprouted in just four days, ahead of the expected seven days.ISRO explained that the experiment, VSSC’s CROPS (Compact Research Module for Orbital Plant Studies), demonstrated accelerated sprouting, marking a milestone in space biology.PSLV-C60, launched on New Year’s Eve, carried two Spadex satellites—Charger and Target—each weighing 220 kg, for space docking technology demonstration. Although the docking of the satellites was initially scheduled for January 7, it has been postponed by two days to allow for further ground-based validations.

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