NASA astronaut Sunita Williams is leading a groundbreaking experiment to grow romaine lettuce in space. This research, part of the Plant Habitat-07 project, aims to improve farming techniques for space missions and water-scarce regions on Earth. Williams set up the experiment by collecting water samples and installing the growth chamber for the lettuce. The study focuses on how different water levels affect plant growth in microgravity.

Williams also made history with her spacewalks. On January 16, 2025, she stepped outside the ISS, marking her first spacewalk since June. By January 30, she had completed 62 hours and 6 minutes in space, surpassing the previous record for the most spacewalking hours by a woman.

In addition to plant research, Williams is working on the Rhodium Biomanufacturing 03 project, studying bacteria and yeast in microgravity. Meanwhile, former U.S. President Donald Trump recently announced that he had authorized Elon Musk to bring back Williams and fellow astronaut Butch Wilmore from the ISS.

Source: Mint