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Space Farming: Techniques and Challenges of Planting and Harvesting Crops in Microgravity Environments
Subject area: Agriculture and Veterinary Sciences · Area of research: Space Farming
Abstract
Space farming refers to the cultivation of plants in outer space to support long-duration human missions and future extraterrestrial settlements. As space agencies plan missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond, sustainable food production has become essential for astronaut survival. Unlike Earth-based agriculture, space farming occurs in microgravity, where soil behaviour, water distribution, and plant growth patterns differ significantly. Astronauts therefore rely on soil-less cultivation systems such as hydroponics and aeroponics, integrated within controlled environment agriculture units that regulate light, temperature, humidity, and nutrient delivery. Experiments aboard the International Space Station have demonstrated successful cultivation of crops such as lettuce and radishes, confirming the feasibility of plant growth in space. These plants not only provide fresh food but also contribute to regenerative life-support systems through oxygen production, carbon dioxide removal, and water recycling, while improving astronauts’ psychological well-being. Despite these advances, challenges such as limited space, radiation exposure, energy consumption, and resource management remain. Continued research in space farming is essential for enabling sustainable human exploration and long-term habitation beyond Earth.
Keywords
space farming; microgravity agriculture; astronaut food production; hydroponics; aeroponics; controlled environment agriculture; international space station; life support systems; sustainable space exploration; space crop cultivation
How to cite this paper
@article{1722725,
author = {Esomu, Ediriverere. Solomon, Esomu Emamoke Ufuoma},
title = {Space Farming: Techniques and Challenges of Planting and Harvesting Crops in Microgravity Environments},
journal = {Iconic Research And Engineering Journals},
year = {2026},
volume = {10},
number = {2},
pages = {3597-3600},
issn = {2456-8880},
url = {https://www.irejournals.com/formatedpaper/1722725.pdf},
abstract = {Space farming refers to the cultivation of plants in outer space to support long-duration human missions and future extraterrestrial settlements. As space agencies plan missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond, sustainable food production has become essential for astronaut survival. Unlike Earth-based agriculture, space farming occurs in microgravity, where soil behaviour, water distribution, and plant growth patterns differ significantly. Astronauts therefore rely on soil-less cultivation systems such as hydroponics and aeroponics, integrated within controlled environment agriculture units that regulate light, temperature, humidity, and nutrient delivery. Experiments aboard the International Space Station have demonstrated successful cultivation of crops such as lettuce and radishes, confirming the feasibility of plant growth in space. These plants not only provide fresh food but also contribute to regenerative life-support systems through oxygen production, carbon dioxide removal, and water recycling, while improving astronauts’ psychological well-being. Despite these advances, challenges such as limited space, radiation exposure, energy consumption, and resource management remain. Continued research in space farming is essential for enabling sustainable human exploration and long-term habitation beyond Earth.},
keywords = {space farming; microgravity agriculture; astronaut food production; hydroponics; aeroponics; controlled environment agriculture; international space station; life support systems; sustainable space exploration; space crop cultivation},
month = {August},
}