Chinese astronauts could be set to enjoy an upgraded diet in the future as the crew members of the Shenzhou-21 mission get ready to reap a bountiful harvest of freshly-grown tomatoes from their very own in-orbit vegetable garden aboard the Tiangong space station.
Amid the ongoing Spring Festival holiday, which sees millions of Chinese gather for family reunions and enjoy grand festive dinners to welcome the Chinese New Year back on Earth, the astronauts in space may soon be able to tuck into some tasty foods of their own, as their prized tomatoes enter their ripe season.
The three crew members had already enjoyed something of a first in space when they indulged in a special space barbecue after bringing a hot-air oven to space back in November, sharing in a mouthwatering meat feast with the predecessor crew of Shenzhou-20 during their brief handover period aboard the space station.
Now, however, they are focusing their efforts on healthier ingredients. So far, 10 batches of seven plant species, including lettuce, cherry tomatoes and sweet potatoes, have been cultivated at the space station, providing astronauts with more fresh fruits and vegetables and the chance for a much more balanced nutrition intake during their six-month-long mission.
Read more at Bastille Post Global
