NASA Experiment Simulates Growing Potatoes On Mars

Ridley Scott's sci-fi blockbuster The Martian showed Matt Damon's stranded astronaut trying to grow potatoes on the inhospitable surface of Mars.

A team of scientists working with NASA is now attempting to make that science fiction into a science fact .

The space agency is working with the International Potato Center (CIP) in Peru to grow taters in conditions as similar to the surface of the Red Planet as possible.

The objective is twofold: firstly, as a stepping stone to figuring out how to grow space spuds for real once we get humans to Mars.

And secondly, to show how resultant the humble potato is and potentially save lives here on Earth.

The idea is that the experiment will pressure governments to fund development of farming in devastated areas around the globe.

"How better to learn about climate change than by growing crops on a planet that died two billion years ago?" said Joel Ranck, head of communications at the International Potato Center.

"We need people to understand that if we can grow potatoes in extreme conditions like those on Mars, we can save lives on Earth."

Part of the experiment is monitoring how potatoes grow with elevated carbon dioxide levels. While this mimics the surface of Mars it also helps the scientists estimate how climate change might affect farming the vegitable.

"The extraordinary efforts of the team have set the bar for extra-terrestrial farming," said Chris McKay, a planetary scientist at NASA 's Ames Research Center.

"The idea of growing food for human colonies in space could be a reality very soon."

Astronauts aboard the International Space Station have already grown (and eaten) a salad in orbit .

The team consumed first ever space-grown vegetable: a leafy red romaine lettuce back in August. Before they ate it, it had to be cleaned with citric-acid cleaning wipes.

NASA created its interstellar allotment with a specially-designed plant growth capsule aboard the ISS that it calls "Veggie".

According to the space agency: "Veggie is a low-cost plant growth chamber that uses a flat-panel light bank that includes red, blue and green LEDs for plant growth and crew observation.

Growing food in space - and on other planets - will be vital to long-term space travel and colonisation. Especially as one billionaire thinks it's possible to build a city on Mars.

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