Astronaut sows first fresh vegetable in ISS' space 'garden'

NASA last week announced that it has activated a plant growth system on the International Space Station.

The Veggie chamber in space garden provides lighting and nutrients for seeds but relies on cabin conditions for temperature control and carbon dioxide, and astronauts have to water it, New Scientist reported.

On May 8, NASA astronaut Steve Swanson turned on the system's LED lights and put six plant "pillows" inside the chamber.

Every pillow has a growth medium and seeds for red romaine lettuce. Plants grown on the space lab is going to be harvested, frozen and returned to Earth and scientists will then compare them to determine if the food grown there is safe, nutritious and tasty.