Astronauts on the International Space Station (ISS) have found a tomato that was lost eight months ago and was grown in space within the framework of the VEG-05 project, reports “MIR 24”.
The purpose of the experiment is to study various aspects of growing plants in space, including growth, nutrient composition, microbiological safety, taste and psychological impact on the crew.
The ISS astronauts received a tomato in March 2023, when the harvest was harvested. The fruit was kept in a sealed bag, and astronauts were asked not to eat it because there was a risk of fungal contamination.
One of the tomatoes was accidentally dropped by crew member Frank Rubio. After this, for several months his colleagues jokingly accused him of eating the experimental sample. As a result, the tomato was found after Rubio left the station.
This isn't the first time astronauts have lost things in space. Previously, two astronauts lost their tool bag in outer space.