ISRO launched SpaDeX i.e. Space Docking Experiment Mission from Sriharikota on 30 December. Under this, two spacecraft were deployed 470 km above the Earth from the PSLV-C60 rocket. CROPS (Compact Research Module for Orbital Plant Studies) on POEM-4 (PSLV Orbital Experimental Module) sent with it has succeeded in germinating life in space for the first time. CROPS designed at Vikram Sarabhai Space Center (VSSC) germinated cowpea seeds through microgravity in just 4 days. Leaves are expected to appear in it soon. Why cowpea was chosen for the experiment Cowpea seeds were chosen for the experiment because they germinate fast. They also have very high tolerance. It is a plant of nutritional importance. This experiment is being considered a big step towards growing food in space, which will help in maintaining human presence on the Moon, Mars or other planets in the future. Chaser moving towards the target recorded selfie video Chaser module has recorded an in-orbit space selfie video in space. The main objective of the mission is to verify accurate docking in space and this video is proof that the mission is moving in the right direction. This video was recorded when the chaser was moving towards the target. On January 2, its distance under inter satellite distance was 4.8 km. Real time video of the docking of both spacecraft will also be released. In preparation for growing spinach, 24 payloads related to research and development were also sent along with ISRO Spacedex. These payloads have been docked at an altitude of 700 km from the Earth. Out of these, 14 payloads are from ISRO and the remaining 10 are from startups and academies. One of these is the Amity Plant Experimental Module in Space (APEMS) payload, which has been built by Amity University. It will research how plant cells grow in space. Under this research, experiments will be conducted on space and Earth at the same time. Spinach cells will be given important things like sunlight and nutrients through LED lights and gel. A camera will record the color and growth of the plant cell. If the color of the cell changes, the experiment will fail. Hopes of growing plants in space on Mars mission increased The news of germination in cowpea has increased the hopes of success of research on spinach. Experiments will be conducted on spinach cells on space and Earth at the same time. Spinach cells will be given important things like sunlight and nutrients through LED lights and gel. A camera will record the color and growth of the plant cell. If the color of the cell changes, the experiment will fail. If these experiments are successful, it can help in improving agricultural techniques in space and on Earth. Also, the possibility of Indian scientists growing plants during long space journeys, such as Mars mission, will become stronger. ————————————- Read this news related to Spadex mission too… Spadex Mission – ISRO will connect both spacecrafts in space on 7th January Now on 7th January 2025, in this mission, these two spacecrafts, which are traveling ten times faster than the speed of a bullet in space, will be connected. If the mission is successful, then India will become the fourth country to do so after Russia, America and China. India’s Chandrayaan-4 mission depends on the success of the mission, in which samples of moon’s soil will be brought to Earth. Chandrayaan-4 mission can be launched in 2028. Read full news…
