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The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has achieved a significant milestone in space research with the successful germination of cowpea seeds in space.

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ISRO highlighted that the cowpea seeds were successfully germinated onboard the PSLV-C60 POEM-4 platform under microgravity conditions within four days of the launch of the mission. 

The achievement is part of the Compact Research Module for Orbital Plant Studies (CROPS) experiment conducted by the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) to study plant growth in microgravity conditions.

• The PSLV-C60 rocket launched two SpaDeX satellites into orbit and the fourth stage of the rocket is carrying the POEM-4 platform with 24 experiments, including the CROPS experiment. 

Key Highlights of the Experiment

• The current phase of the experiment will last between five and seven days, focusing on seed germination and plant growth up to the two-leaf stage.
• Future phases of the CROPS experiment will focus on long-term plant growth in space, advancing ISRO's capabilities in sustaining plant life in extraterrestrial environments.
• The experiment involves placing eight cowpea seeds in a controlled, closed-box environment with active thermal regulation, mimicking space travel conditions.

In the experiment, the system monitors essential factors like oxygen, carbon dioxide levels, temperature, humidity, and soil moisture.

• Passive measurements, including imaging and environmental sensors, were used to track plant development.

Significance

• The CROPS program is poised to offer valuable insights into how plant life can be sustained in the unique conditions of space.
• As humanity looks toward future space exploration, understanding plant growth in microgravity is essential for ensuring astronauts can grow food and live sustainably on long-duration space missions.
• This breakthrough is a key step towards achieving sustainable human life on other planets, making ISRO's contribution to space research more significant.