On January 6, 2025, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) announced a significant breakthrough in space agriculture as cowpea seeds successfully germinated aboard the PSLV-C60 POEM-4 module. This achievement marks a critical milestone in the study of plant growth in microgravity.
The Compact Research Module for Orbital Plant Studies (CROPS), developed by ISRO's Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, facilitated the germination of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) seeds in a controlled environment. The experiment monitored essential parameters such as oxygen and carbon dioxide levels, humidity, temperature, and soil moisture.
Within four days of launch, the seeds exhibited early growth signals, eventually sprouting their first leaves. This success not only demonstrates ISRO's capability to cultivate plants in space but also provides vital insights for future long-duration missions, crucial for developing sustainable life support systems.
The PSLV-C60 mission, launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, included 24 experiments, with CROPS being a key focus. The module is currently orbiting at an altitude of 350 km, providing the necessary microgravity conditions for the ongoing study.
ISRO's advancements in understanding plant growth in space hold significant implications for future human missions to the Moon and Mars. Developing self-sustaining life support systems will be essential for long-duration space exploration, reducing reliance on resupply missions from Earth.
As the CROPS experiment progresses, researchers anticipate observing further growth and development of the cowpea plants, paving the way for advancements in regenerative life support systems.