Image: ZME ScienceAstronauts Could Grow Their Own Medicines in Space Using Plants
• UC San Diego engineers are researching the ability to grow plants under simulated space conditions to produce essential pharmaceuticals during long-term missions. • The initiative addresses a critical safety gap, as medications degrade faster in space; studies show over half of the International Space Station's drug supply expires within three years. • This biological production method is vital for deep-space travel, such as a round trip to Mars, which requires approximately 400 days of travel time.
zmescience.com