1. What Is Hydroponics?

What does hydroponics mean, and why should you care?

Hydroponics is a method of growing plants without soil. Instead, the roots get nutrients directly from a water solution. This means plants can grow faster, healthier, and with less space and water.

Hydroponics systems can look different depending on how they work. For example, some setups use flowing water, while others use still water or mist. In other words, there is more than one way to grow a plant without dirt.

What are the main types of hydroponics systems?

Here are a few examples you should know about:

1. Deep Water Culture (DWC): Plants float on water with their roots hanging down to soak up nutrients.
2. Nutrient Film Technique (NFT): A thin layer of water flows over the roots to feed them.
3. Aeroponics: Roots hang in the air and get sprayed with a nutrient mist.
4. Wick Systems: A wick pulls water up to the plant's roots from a reservoir.

Why is hydroponics perfect for space?

Most importantly, hydroponics doesn't need heavy soil, so it saves weight on space missions. Plus, it allows astronauts to grow fresh food in small areas. For instance, NASA uses hydroponics to grow lettuce and herbs on the International Space Station.

2. Why Do We Need Hydroponics in Space?

Why are astronauts turning to hydroponics?

Hydroponics is an important solution for growing food in space. When in orbit, astronauts don't have the luxury of restocking fresh food whenever they want. Instead, they must rely on sustainable systems to meet their nutritional needs over long periods. Hydroponics provides a dependable, self-contained method of growing vegetables and herbs in space.

How does hydroponics help save weight and space?

Using hydroponics in spacecraft makes a lot of sense because soil is heavy and takes up room. In other words, by growing plants in water, teams can cut down on cargo weight. In addition, hydroponic gardens can be stacked vertically, which saves space!

What are the extra benefits for astronauts?

Besides fresh food, hydroponics also gives people mental and emotional support. For example, taking care of plants can lower stress and help people feel more relaxed, being so far away from Earth. Moreover, plants possess the ability to naturally clean our air by removing carbon dioxide and adding supplemental oxygen. While plants aboard the ISS today are small-scale and cannot yet produce the life-support oxygen humans need, studies show they certainly have the potential to supplement future life-support systems as systems scale up.

Key reasons hydroponics matters in space:

1. Grows fresh, healthy food for astronauts
2. Reduces cargo weight on rockets
3. Saves limited living space
4. Improves mood and mental health
5. The potential of supplemental oxygen

3. How Does Hydroponics Work in Microgravity?

How do you water plants when there's no gravity?

Astronauts are reliant on hydroponics in space as they can't rely on gravity to help with water flow. Instead, they use special tools and systems to make sure plants get the nutrients they need. In microgravity, water forms floating balls, so capillary action becomes the main way to move liquids. Capillary action happens when water travels through tiny spaces, even without gravity.

Therefore, scientists designed systems that pull water to the plant roots. For example, they use wicks and absorbent mats to keep the roots moist. These tools help plants stay healthy and anchored.

How do lighting and temperature controls work in orbit?

Hydroponics in space also depends on controlled lighting and climate. LED lights give plants the right kind of energy. For example, red and blue lights can assist plants in growing strong leaves. In addition, fans and sensors control temperature and move fresh air around the plants.

Growing plants on the @space_station isn't as simple as putting seeds in dirt & waiting for them to grow. @AstroHague explains why Veggie PONDS are used to grow plants in microgravity and how these agriculture experiments will help humans go from the #Moon2Mars. #STEMonStation pic.twitter.com/utypg2H3BZ

— Learn With NASA (@LearnWithNASA) May 10, 2019

What challenges do nutrients face in space?

Without gravity, nutrients don't spread evenly in water. Therefore, hydroponics systems use pumps and tubes to mix and deliver nutrients directly to the roots. This ensures that plants have access to essential nutrients, promoting optimal growth and development.

Innovative Solutions

Here are some clever ways scientists solve microgravity farming problems:

1. Capillary mats and wicks to deliver water without gravity
2. Closed-loop watering systems that recycle every drop
3. Air circulation fans that keep plants cool and healthy

These tools make hydroponics in space possible, as they allow scientists to test food production systems in challenging environments.

4. What Are Some Notable Space Farming Experiments?

Hydroponics has become a cornerstone of space-based plant research, offering a soil-free solution to growing food where traditional farming methods aren't possible. Space agencies like NASA and ESA have explored how plants adapt to microgravity and other space conditions to prepare for long-duration missions and life-support systems beyond Earth.

Growing food in space isn't just about nourishment---it's about sustainability. Learning how plants grow, reproduce, and respond to variables like light, humidity, and water delivery systems helps scientists plan for future missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. These studies also support Earth-based innovations in sustainable agriculture, particularly in urban and remote areas.

Hydroponic and Plant-Based Projects Conducted In Space:

NASA -- Advanced Plant Habitat (APH)

• What it did: The largest and most sophisticated plant chamber on the ISS, capable of controlling light, temperature, humidity, and CO₂ levels to study plant growth.
• Why it matters: Supports long-term experiments on crop genetics and physiology in space.

Status: Active, and has been fully operational aboard the ISS since 2017.

NASA -- Veggie (Vegetable Production System)

• What it did: Successfully grew red romaine lettuce ("Outredgeous"), zinnias, and mustard greens using hydroponics on the International Space Station (ISS).
• Why it matters: It was the first American fresh-food production system used in space and marked the first time astronauts ate space-grown food in orbit (2015).

Status: Active, and has been fully operational onboard the ISS since 2014.

NASA -- XROOTS (eXposed Root On-Orbit Test System)

• What it did: Investigated hydroponic and aeroponic systems using fluid and air-based nutrient delivery instead of traditional growing media.
• Why it matters: Reduces the mass and resupply needs of growing systems, crucial for long-term missions.

Status: Active and operating aboard the ISS.

Canadian Space Agency -- CERES (Canadensys Exploration Root-mapping Experiment for Spaceflight)

• What it Proposes: A Canadian-led experiment focusing on how plant roots develop in microgravity using advanced imaging techniques.
• Why it matters: Understanding root growth in zero gravity is essential for optimizing water and nutrient uptake in space.

Status: This project is still underway; it is currently in development and preparation for a mission onboard the ISS.

These pioneering experiments show that growing food in space is no longer science fiction---it's becoming a scientific fact. With each successful harvest, we move closer to building sustainable life-support systems for future missions.

5. How Does Space Farming Help Us Here on Earth?

How does hydroponics research in space help farming on our planet?

Hydroponics has taught scientists valuable lessons that directly benefit agricultural systems---and even urban environments---on Earth. For example, NASA's research has demonstrated how crops can thrive in highly controlled, small-scale environments, paving the way for indoor urban farms and vertical agriculture where land is scarce.

Beyond spatial efficiency, space-farming innovations led to smart sensors and data-driven tools for monitoring plant health, tracking moisture, nutrients, and light levels in real time. Such systems now enable precision resource use, significantly reducing waste and manually intensive tasks.

Lessons Earth Can Learn from Space Hydroponics:

• Vertical and stacked farming saves valuable land and limits urban sprawl
• Controlled environments use up to 90% less water than conventional farming
• IoT sensors and automation optimize plant growth and reduce labor costs
• Data analytics improves yield quality, reduces input, and minimizes environmental impact

Space hydroponics has also inspired ethylene-scrubbing and leaf-thickness sensors, which conserve water and extend produce shelf life---technologies now used in supermarkets and high-tech farms.

Earth-Based Case Study: Naurvik, Gjoa Haven, Nunavut

Space farming doesn't just benefit cities---it's transforming life in some of the most remote and extreme environments on Earth.

In Gjoa Haven, Nunavut, a community-led initiative called Naurvik uses retrofitted shipping containers to grow fresh produce year-round in Arctic conditions that can reach --40°C. The system uses modular hydroponic pods, powered by solar and wind energy, and uses automated monitoring tools to control light, temperature, water, and nutrients. The goal? Increase food security, build STEM education opportunities, and reduce reliance on expensive food imports.

Bekyk hierdie plasing op Instagram

'n Plasing gedeel deur Arctic Research Foundation (ARF) (@arcticresearchfoundation)

Much like systems aboard the International Space Station, Naurvik is built to be self-contained, efficient, and resilient.

6. What's Next for Hydroponics in Space?

What does the future of hydroponics look like beyond Earth?

Hydroponics will play a huge role in the next generation of space missions. For example, scientists are already planning to send advanced hydroponic systems to the Moon and Mars. As a result, astronauts will be able to grow fresh food during longer missions without needing to rely on resupply rockets.

Most importantly, these future farms will not need people to watch over them all the time. Instead, fully autonomous hydroponic greenhouses will use robots and smart sensors to plant seeds, monitor growth, and harvest crops. Therefore, astronauts can focus on other important tasks.

Robotics and automation are reshaping space exploration! From NASA's Astrobee on the ISS to AI-powered rovers like VIPER, autonomous systems enable safer, smarter missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. Learn more >> https://t.co/A1FXQWGeVm#Space #Robotics #Automation pic.twitter.com/BTC8HpXoI2

— R&R Manufacturing (@RRManufacturin1) July 3, 2025

How will robots and AI help space farming?

In the future, robots and AI will handle labor-intensive tasks---seed planting, fluid management, light control---with precision. Machine learning models will predict plant stress, optimize growth cycles, and even detect disease before visible symptoms appear. NASA is also testing robotic assistants like Astrobee on the ISS to support autonomous station systems. This opens the door for similar technologies to help manage hydroponic modules in the future, potentially making farming in space more consistent and reliable.

Emerging Trends in Space Hydroponics:

1. 3D-printed farming modules that can be built quickly in space
2. AI-controlled nutrient systems that track and feed plants
3. Multi-layer growing racks to grow more food in less space

7. FAQs About Hydroponics in Space

Answers to common questions people ask us:

Q1: Can you really grow vegetables in space?
Yes, astronauts have already grown lettuce, radishes, and mustard greens. It's not only possible, it's happening right now.

Q2: What challenges do plants face in zero gravity?
Without gravity, water doesn't flow naturally. Special systems deliver nutrients, and roots grow differently. But new technologies solve these problems.

Q3: How does space farming help Earth?
It teaches us to grow food with less water and space. These lessons help us build better farms in cities and harsh environments.

Q4: What crops grow best in space? Leafy greens, herbs, and dwarf tomatoes thrive in hydroponic systems. They grow quickly and provide fresh vitamins.

Q5: Will we use hydroponics on Mars? Absolutely---hydroponics is widely expected to play a vital role in supporting future missions to Mars.

In conclusion, hydroponics in space is more than a scientific novelty --- it's a glimpse into what's possible when innovation meets necessity. Watching astronauts grow gardens in zero gravity proves that farming doesn't need soil, or even gravity!

At Just Vertical, we see this not as a distant experiment, but as a roadmap for resilient, localized food systems everywhere. Whether you're running a container farm, teaching in a school, or just dreaming of the first greenhouse on Mars, hydroponics makes growing fresh food anywhere a reality.

If we can grow lettuce 250 miles above Earth, we can certainly grow it in an apartment, a cafeteria, or a repurposed warehouse. It's not just about feeding space missions --- it's about rethinking how and where we feed ourselves here on Earth.

Want to explore what hydroponics could look like in your space? Let's bring the future of farming a little closer to home. Together, we can grow something amazing.

Let's grow it together!