The first tacos with space peppers on the menu of the International Space Station

It wasn’t Tuesday, Yet the International Space Station (ISS) astronauts were held on Friday, October 29, a Taco night. Not just any tacos: Space tacos. Because, for the first time in history, American astronaut Megan McArthur tweeted that in addition to beef, hydrated tomatoes and artichokes, they were also able to add chili from the ISS ship.

Friday Ceremony! After harvest, we taste the red and green chillies. Then we filled in the polls (should be … https://t.co/S1UiENEewk

– Astro_Megan (Megan McArthur)

A few hours ago, The International Space Station actually announced He posted on his Twitter page that the astronauts had plucked their first crop of green chillies. This pepper is the result of an experiment – “Plant Habitat-04” – organized by NASA at the station for almost four months. After pouring To begin testing on July 12, the peppers were then able to grow The size of a microwave oven is a small growing system.

The pepper selected for the experiment is the Newmex Espanola upgraded pepper, a hybrid commonly found in the Hatch Valley region of southern New Mexico in the United States. After studying the various possibilities for two years, the researchers determined it “This pepper is the best combination of performance and taste in nearly two dozen trials.” In a video uploaded by NASA in July, Matt Romain, the person responsible for the operation, promised.

“One of the most complex experiences”

As recalled American public radio NPR site, This is not the first time astronauts have grown food in space: they have succeeded Lettuce harvest And Radish In the past. According to Matt Romain, researchers are controlling themselves, this time, “For crops that do not require much space or intensive treatment”.

Plant Habitat-04, due to long germination, is one of the most complex plant experiments to date at the station… https://t.co/EVu2WRw27v

– ISS_Research (@ISS Research)

However, he insists that this was an experience “Chilies are one of the most complex plants ever carried out at the station due to the long germination period. [qui va de dix à quatorze jours] And the period of their development [de quatre-vingt-dix à cent vingt jours] ⁇. If some peppers are ingested by astronauts (especially to get feedback on their taste), another will be analyzed when they return to Earth. The second harvest is scheduled for December.

Although the story of Space Dagos may seem trivial at first, NASA points out that it is still a step in planning long-term missions such as a trip to the moon or Mars. “This is important because the food that the astronauts eat must be as good as their other equipment. Not only will they need the most nutritious food to successfully send people to Mars and bring them to Earth, but also the best tasty food.”, Lachel Spencer explained, The head scientist of the project, last June.

Damn, the taste of spice success! Crew-2 tasted the fruit of their labor when the pepper was harvested last Friday … https://t.co/E2kIdDvHCu

– ISS_Research (@ISS Research)

In a publication describing the objectives of the work, NASA recalls that pre-prepared foods lose some of their key nutrients over time, especially vitamin C, which is found in large quantities சோதனை pepper tested. “Growing colorful plants in space can have long-term physical and psychological benefits.”, Promised, also, Matt Romain, before the trial began. “We have found that growing plants and vegetables with colors and aromas contributes to the well-being of astronauts. “