The successful sprouting of cowpea seedlings on board ISRO's (Indian Space Research Organisation) POEM-4 (Payload-Oriented Experimental Module) in space is noteworthy. This marks a new turning point in space biology and the study of plant growth beyond Earth. The Compact Research Module for Orbital Plant Studies (CROPS), created by the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), is an automated platform intended to grow and maintain plant life in the microgravity environment of space, according to India's national space agency. 

According to ISRO, the studies involve cultivating cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) seeds in a confined, controlled space with active heat control. The device took pictures to follow plant development while monitoring several variables, such as temperature, relative humidity, oxygen and carbon dioxide levels and soil wetness. The space agency claims that this configuration effectively facilitated cowpea plant germination and growth in space up to the two-leaf stage. 

"This accomplishment not only demonstrates ISRO's capability to grow plants in space but also provides valuable insights for future long-duration missions," the agency's social media post on X said.

To create life support systems that can grow food and replenish astronauts' oxygen and water, it is essential to comprehend how plants adjust to microgravity, ISRO continued.

"The success of the CROPS experiment marks a promising step towards sustainable human presence in space," said ISRO.

Space farming is considered an important research topic for future space travel, as producing food in space would be useful to support people on lengthy journeys. The successful sprouting of cowpea seedlings might lead to new agricultural experiments in space and marks a new beginning for development various ways for growing food in resource-constrained locations.

ISRO's feat adds to India's rising contributions to space research and exploration after past achievements in satellite launches, interplanetary missions and most recently, the study of plant development in space.