The next lunar trip promises. A study of plant growth is one of three experiments expected to be carried out there. Soon Artemis 3 astronauts will deploy to the lunar surface. And they will take plants to the Moon.
The experiment is called LEAF (Lunar Effects on Agricultural Flora). You will study how space crops behave in the exotic lunar environment.
Stress in plants
«LEAF will be the first experiment of its kind. We will observe photosynthesis, growth, and systemic stress responses in plants. “It will be tested in space radiation and partial gravity.” This is said in a statement in which the space agency announced the selection of the three experiments.
The selected instruments will address three Artemis science objectives. The first, understand planetary processes. Second, understand the character and origin of lunar polar volatiles. And the last thing is to investigate and mitigate exploration risks.
One of these instruments is LEMS (Lunar Environment Monitoring Station). It is a set of autonomous and compact seismometers. It was designed to carry out continuous, long-term monitoring of the seismic environment. That is, it will evaluate the movement of the ground due to lunar earthquakes, in the region of the lunar south pole. This will add valuable information to models of lunar formation and evolution.
Plants on the Moon
Another selected instrument is LDA (Lunar Dielectric Analyzer). It will measure the regolith’s ability to propagate an electric field, which is a key parameter in the search for lunar volatiles, especially ice. In addition, it will collect essential information about the structure of the Moon’s subsurface.
Artemis III is the first mission to bring astronauts to the surface of the Moon in more than 50 years. They will take plants to the Moon to study future feeding strategies. Additionally, it will explore the Moon’s south polar region, within 6 degrees latitude of the South Pole. Several landing regions proposed for the mission are among some of the oldest parts of our satellite.
