ISRO Successfully Sprouts Cowpea Seeds in Space

January 6, 2025

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has made strides in space exploration with two recent experiments. On January 4, 2025, ISRO announced the successful sprouting of cowpea seeds in space, marking a major milestone in agricultural research beyond Earth. This achievement occurred shortly after the PSLV-C60 SpaDeX mission, which launched on December 30, 2024, carrying 24 payloads, including the innovative PS4-Orbital Experiment Module (POEM-4).

Cowpea Seed Germination in Space

The CROPS (Compact Research Module for Orbital Plant Studies) experiment, developed by the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), successfully sprouted cowpea seeds in just four days. This experiment aims to understand plant growth in microgravity, crucial for future long-duration space missions. The setup involves growing eight seeds in a controlled, closed-box environment with active thermal management. The experiment is fully automated and designed to last between five to seven days, focusing on demonstrating seed germination and sustaining growth until the two-leaf stage.

The Role of POEM

The PS4-Orbital Experiment Module (POEM) serves as a stabilised platform for conducting various experiments in space. It is equipped with solar panels and a Li-Ion battery, enabling it to power multiple payloads. POEM’s advanced navigation system includes sun sensors, gyros, and a magnetometer, ensuring precise attitude control. This stabilised platform represents upgrade over previous orbital platforms, enhancing the scientific capabilities of the experiments onboard.

Importance of Crop Research in Space

Conducting agricultural experiments in space is vital for future exploration missions. About how plants grow in microgravity will help scientists develop sustainable food sources for astronauts on long-duration missions. The CROPS experiment is part of a multi-phase platform aimed at enhancing ISRO’s capabilities in growing flora in extraterrestrial environments. Successful plant growth in space could support human life on other planets, paving the way for future colonisation efforts.

ISRO’s PSLV-C60 launched on December 30, 2024.
CROPS aims to sustain plants in microgravity.
RRM-TD features a unique ‘inchworm walking’ capability.
POEM enhances scientific payload positioning in orbit.
Cowpea seeds are known as lobia in Hindi.

Future Prospects in Space Exploration

The success of these experiments positions India as a leader in space technology and research. The ability to grow plants in space and operate advanced robotic systems will enable more complex missions in the future. As ISRO continues to innovate, these developments will contribute to humanity’s understanding of life beyond Earth and the potential for sustainable living on other celestial bodies.

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