How did humans grow plants on the Moon despite the harsh conditions?
$begingroup$
The Chang'e 4 lander contains seeds to grow plants on the Moon. The Moon has non-sustainable life conditions. Among those are the lack of water, atmosphere, the varying extreme temperatures, the low gravity, the solar radiations, etc.
However at least one cotton plant has germed and is in the process of growing.
How did the CNSA engineers have the plants germ then grow on the Moon? And are the plants supposed to die of natural death or will the harsh conditions kill them, if such, which one first?
the-moon life life-support chang-e
asked 19 hours ago
Olivier GrégoireOlivier Grégoire
15815
New contributor
Olivier Grégoire is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
The Chang'e 4 lander contains seeds to grow plants on the Moon. The Moon has non-sustainable life conditions. Among those are the lack of water, atmosphere, the varying extreme temperatures, the low gravity, the solar radiations, etc.
However at least one cotton plant has germed and is in the process of growing.
How did the CNSA engineers have the plants germ then grow on the Moon? And are the plants supposed to die of natural death or will the harsh conditions kill them, if such, which one first?
the-moon life life-support chang-e
asked 19 hours ago
Olivier GrégoireOlivier Grégoire
15815
New contributor
Olivier Grégoire is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
The Chang'e 4 lander contains seeds to grow plants on the Moon. The Moon has non-sustainable life conditions. Among those are the lack of water, atmosphere, the varying extreme temperatures, the low gravity, the solar radiations, etc.
However at least one cotton plant has germed and is in the process of growing.
How did the CNSA engineers have the plants germ then grow on the Moon? And are the plants supposed to die of natural death or will the harsh conditions kill them, if such, which one first?
the-moon life life-support chang-e
asked 19 hours ago
Olivier GrégoireOlivier Grégoire
15815
New contributor
Olivier Grégoire is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
$endgroup$
The Chang'e 4 lander contains seeds to grow plants on the Moon. The Moon has non-sustainable life conditions. Among those are the lack of water, atmosphere, the varying extreme temperatures, the low gravity, the solar radiations, etc.
However at least one cotton plant has germed and is in the process of growing.
How did the CNSA engineers have the plants germ then grow on the Moon? And are the plants supposed to die of natural death or will the harsh conditions kill them, if such, which one first?
the-moon life life-support chang-e
the-moon life life-support chang-e
asked 19 hours ago
Olivier GrégoireOlivier Grégoire
15815
New contributor
Olivier Grégoire is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked 19 hours ago
Olivier GrégoireOlivier Grégoire
15815
New contributor
Olivier Grégoire is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked 19 hours ago
Olivier GrégoireOlivier Grégoire
15815
New contributor
Olivier Grégoire is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked 19 hours ago
Olivier GrégoireOlivier Grégoire
15815
asked 19 hours ago
Olivier GrégoireOlivier Grégoire
15815
15815
New contributor
Olivier Grégoire is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
Olivier Grégoire is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Olivier Grégoire is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
add a comment |
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
$begingroup$
While it's still cool, it's not as tricky as it may sound at first:
The seeds, including water, are stored in a sealed, heated and shielded container. The container also includes fruit flies and yeast. So the plants are not grown in the lunar soil (which would be the interesting and challenging next step) but in a portable, sealed ecosystem.
(See for example this article, among many about this subject.)
answered 17 hours ago
DarkDustDarkDust
6,73432854
$endgroup$
25
$begingroup$
There is no soil on the moon. Lunar regolith has no organic components, which is the defining characteristic of a soil. Lunar regolith is only ground up rock: silica, iron, aluminium, and oxygen.
$endgroup$
– dotancohen
14 hours ago
7
$begingroup$
Tangentially, c.f. The Martian, and the process of making Mars "dirt" into something capable of supporting plant growth.
$endgroup$
– Adrien
10 hours ago
$begingroup$
The cotton seedling that sprouted has reportedly been killed by the cold now.
$endgroup$
– Robyn
4 hours ago
$begingroup$
@Robyn they probably turned off the heating and lights in the growing chamber the moment they had their publicity shots, in order to preserve the batteries of the lander during the lunar night.
$endgroup$
– jwenting
35 mins ago
$begingroup$
But they're all going to die right? There's no return mission? What are we learning from that other than visually?
$endgroup$
– Mazura
11 mins ago
add a comment |
Your Answer
StackExchange.ifUsing("editor", function () {
return StackExchange.using("mathjaxEditing", function () {
StackExchange.MarkdownEditor.creationCallbacks.add(function (editor, postfix) {
StackExchange.mathjaxEditing.prepareWmdForMathJax(editor, postfix, [["$", "$"], ["\\(","\\)"]]);
});
});
}, "mathjax-editing");
StackExchange.ready(function() {
var channelOptions = {
tags: "".split(" "),
id: "508"
};
initTagRenderer("".split(" "), "".split(" "), channelOptions);
StackExchange.using("externalEditor", function() {
// Have to fire editor after snippets, if snippets enabled
if (StackExchange.settings.snippets.snippetsEnabled) {
StackExchange.using("snippets", function() {
createEditor();
});
}
else {
createEditor();
}
});
function createEditor() {
StackExchange.prepareEditor({
heartbeatType: 'answer',
autoActivateHeartbeat: false,
convertImagesToLinks: false,
noModals: true,
showLowRepImageUploadWarning: true,
reputationToPostImages: null,
bindNavPrevention: true,
postfix: "",
imageUploader: {
brandingHtml: "Powered by u003ca class="icon-imgur-white" href="https://imgur.com/"u003eu003c/au003e",
contentPolicyHtml: "User contributions licensed under u003ca href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/"u003ecc by-sa 3.0 with attribution requiredu003c/au003e u003ca href="https://stackoverflow.com/legal/content-policy"u003e(content policy)u003c/au003e",
allowUrls: true
},
noCode: true, onDemand: true,
discardSelector: ".discard-answer"
,immediatelyShowMarkdownHelp:true
});
}
});
Olivier Grégoire is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
StackExchange.ready(
function () {
StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fspace.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f33626%2fhow-did-humans-grow-plants-on-the-moon-despite-the-harsh-conditions%23new-answer', 'question_page');
}
);
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
$begingroup$
While it's still cool, it's not as tricky as it may sound at first:
The seeds, including water, are stored in a sealed, heated and shielded container. The container also includes fruit flies and yeast. So the plants are not grown in the lunar soil (which would be the interesting and challenging next step) but in a portable, sealed ecosystem.
(See for example this article, among many about this subject.)
answered 17 hours ago
DarkDustDarkDust
6,73432854
$endgroup$
25
$begingroup$
There is no soil on the moon. Lunar regolith has no organic components, which is the defining characteristic of a soil. Lunar regolith is only ground up rock: silica, iron, aluminium, and oxygen.
$endgroup$
– dotancohen
14 hours ago
7
$begingroup$
Tangentially, c.f. The Martian, and the process of making Mars "dirt" into something capable of supporting plant growth.
$endgroup$
– Adrien
10 hours ago
$begingroup$
The cotton seedling that sprouted has reportedly been killed by the cold now.
$endgroup$
– Robyn
4 hours ago
$begingroup$
@Robyn they probably turned off the heating and lights in the growing chamber the moment they had their publicity shots, in order to preserve the batteries of the lander during the lunar night.
$endgroup$
– jwenting
35 mins ago
$begingroup$
But they're all going to die right? There's no return mission? What are we learning from that other than visually?
$endgroup$
– Mazura
11 mins ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
While it's still cool, it's not as tricky as it may sound at first:
The seeds, including water, are stored in a sealed, heated and shielded container. The container also includes fruit flies and yeast. So the plants are not grown in the lunar soil (which would be the interesting and challenging next step) but in a portable, sealed ecosystem.
(See for example this article, among many about this subject.)
answered 17 hours ago
DarkDustDarkDust
6,73432854
$endgroup$
25
$begingroup$
There is no soil on the moon. Lunar regolith has no organic components, which is the defining characteristic of a soil. Lunar regolith is only ground up rock: silica, iron, aluminium, and oxygen.
$endgroup$
– dotancohen
14 hours ago
7
$begingroup$
Tangentially, c.f. The Martian, and the process of making Mars "dirt" into something capable of supporting plant growth.
$endgroup$
– Adrien
10 hours ago
$begingroup$
The cotton seedling that sprouted has reportedly been killed by the cold now.
$endgroup$
– Robyn
4 hours ago
$begingroup$
@Robyn they probably turned off the heating and lights in the growing chamber the moment they had their publicity shots, in order to preserve the batteries of the lander during the lunar night.
$endgroup$
– jwenting
35 mins ago
$begingroup$
But they're all going to die right? There's no return mission? What are we learning from that other than visually?
$endgroup$
– Mazura
11 mins ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
While it's still cool, it's not as tricky as it may sound at first:
The seeds, including water, are stored in a sealed, heated and shielded container. The container also includes fruit flies and yeast. So the plants are not grown in the lunar soil (which would be the interesting and challenging next step) but in a portable, sealed ecosystem.
(See for example this article, among many about this subject.)
answered 17 hours ago
DarkDustDarkDust
6,73432854
$endgroup$
While it's still cool, it's not as tricky as it may sound at first:
The seeds, including water, are stored in a sealed, heated and shielded container. The container also includes fruit flies and yeast. So the plants are not grown in the lunar soil (which would be the interesting and challenging next step) but in a portable, sealed ecosystem.
(See for example this article, among many about this subject.)
answered 17 hours ago
DarkDustDarkDust
6,73432854
answered 17 hours ago
DarkDustDarkDust
6,73432854
answered 17 hours ago
DarkDustDarkDust
6,73432854
answered 17 hours ago
DarkDustDarkDust
6,73432854
6,73432854
25
$begingroup$
There is no soil on the moon. Lunar regolith has no organic components, which is the defining characteristic of a soil. Lunar regolith is only ground up rock: silica, iron, aluminium, and oxygen.
$endgroup$
– dotancohen
14 hours ago
7
$begingroup$
Tangentially, c.f. The Martian, and the process of making Mars "dirt" into something capable of supporting plant growth.
$endgroup$
– Adrien
10 hours ago
$begingroup$
The cotton seedling that sprouted has reportedly been killed by the cold now.
$endgroup$
– Robyn
4 hours ago
$begingroup$
@Robyn they probably turned off the heating and lights in the growing chamber the moment they had their publicity shots, in order to preserve the batteries of the lander during the lunar night.
$endgroup$
– jwenting
35 mins ago
$begingroup$
But they're all going to die right? There's no return mission? What are we learning from that other than visually?
$endgroup$
– Mazura
11 mins ago
add a comment |
25
$begingroup$
There is no soil on the moon. Lunar regolith has no organic components, which is the defining characteristic of a soil. Lunar regolith is only ground up rock: silica, iron, aluminium, and oxygen.
$endgroup$
– dotancohen
14 hours ago
7
$begingroup$
Tangentially, c.f. The Martian, and the process of making Mars "dirt" into something capable of supporting plant growth.
$endgroup$
– Adrien
10 hours ago
$begingroup$
The cotton seedling that sprouted has reportedly been killed by the cold now.
$endgroup$
– Robyn
4 hours ago
$begingroup$
@Robyn they probably turned off the heating and lights in the growing chamber the moment they had their publicity shots, in order to preserve the batteries of the lander during the lunar night.
$endgroup$
– jwenting
35 mins ago
$begingroup$
But they're all going to die right? There's no return mission? What are we learning from that other than visually?
$endgroup$
– Mazura
11 mins ago
25
25
$begingroup$
There is no soil on the moon. Lunar regolith has no organic components, which is the defining characteristic of a soil. Lunar regolith is only ground up rock: silica, iron, aluminium, and oxygen.
$endgroup$
– dotancohen
14 hours ago
$begingroup$
There is no soil on the moon. Lunar regolith has no organic components, which is the defining characteristic of a soil. Lunar regolith is only ground up rock: silica, iron, aluminium, and oxygen.
$endgroup$
– dotancohen
14 hours ago
7
7
$begingroup$
Tangentially, c.f. The Martian, and the process of making Mars "dirt" into something capable of supporting plant growth.
$endgroup$
– Adrien
10 hours ago
$begingroup$
Tangentially, c.f. The Martian, and the process of making Mars "dirt" into something capable of supporting plant growth.
$endgroup$
– Adrien
10 hours ago
$begingroup$
The cotton seedling that sprouted has reportedly been killed by the cold now.
$endgroup$
– Robyn
4 hours ago
$begingroup$
The cotton seedling that sprouted has reportedly been killed by the cold now.
$endgroup$
– Robyn
4 hours ago
$begingroup$
@Robyn they probably turned off the heating and lights in the growing chamber the moment they had their publicity shots, in order to preserve the batteries of the lander during the lunar night.
$endgroup$
– jwenting
35 mins ago
$begingroup$
@Robyn they probably turned off the heating and lights in the growing chamber the moment they had their publicity shots, in order to preserve the batteries of the lander during the lunar night.
$endgroup$
– jwenting
35 mins ago
$begingroup$
But they're all going to die right? There's no return mission? What are we learning from that other than visually?
$endgroup$
– Mazura
11 mins ago
$begingroup$
But they're all going to die right? There's no return mission? What are we learning from that other than visually?
$endgroup$
– Mazura
11 mins ago
add a comment |
Olivier Grégoire is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Olivier Grégoire is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Olivier Grégoire is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Olivier Grégoire is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Thanks for contributing an answer to Space Exploration Stack Exchange!
- Please be sure to answer the question. Provide details and share your research!
But avoid …
- Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers.
- Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience.
Use MathJax to format equations. MathJax reference.
To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers.
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
StackExchange.ready(
function () {
StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fspace.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f33626%2fhow-did-humans-grow-plants-on-the-moon-despite-the-harsh-conditions%23new-answer', 'question_page');
}
);
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
