In February, the European Space Agency (ESA) is launching mission MagISStra to the International Space Station (ISS). One of the projects will be to have a “greenhouse in space” which will be a scientific experiment as well as an educational opportunity aimed for students in Europe between the ages of 12 and 14. Students in the U.S. of any age can grow the same plant in a greenhouse and follow the experiment aboard the ISS.

Astronaut Paolo Nespoli will use a specially-developed greenhouse to grow plants and make observations of the life cycle of a flowering plant. He will use thale cress (Arabidopsis thaliana) in the initial experiment in the International Space Station’s Columbus laboratory. For 10 weeks, he will make observations on the plant growth and share the data with students.

On Earth, students can start their experiment at the same time and follow along with Nespoli. Students can exchange information with each other as they follow the growth cycle for 10 weeks. To see the greenhouse, go to the ESA website at www.esa.int.

Greenhouses provide oxygen and bring life to the bleakness of space. Growing plants will be important for astronauts flying to Mars or on any long journeys for fresh food sources. Greenhouses will be an important part of future space exploration.