Scientists have grown plants in lunar soil for the first time, an important step towards making long-term stays on the moon possible.
Researchers used small samples of dust collected during the 1969-1972 Apollo missions to grow a type of cress.
Much to their surprise, the seeds sprouted after two days.
"I can't tell you how astonished we were," said Anna-Lisa Paul, a University of Florida professor who co-authored a paper on the findings.
"Every plant - whether in a lunar sample or in a control - looked the same up until about day six."
After that, differences emerged. The plants grown in moon soil started to show stress, developed more slowly and ended up stunted.
But those involved say it is a breakthrough - and one that has earthly implications.
"This research is critical to Nasa's long-term human exploration goals as we'll need to use resources found on the Moon and Mars to develop food sources for future astronauts living and operating in deep space," said Nasa chief Bill Nelson.
"This fundamental plant growth research is also a key example of how Nasa is working to unlock agricultural innovations that could help us understand how plants might overcome stressful conditions in food-scarce areas here on Earth."
One challenge for researchers is that there simply is not much lunar soil to experiment with. Over a three-year period from 1969, Nasa astronauts brought back 382kg (842lb) of lunar rocks, core samples, pebbles, sand and dust from the lunar surface.
The University of Florida team were given just 1g of soil per plant for the experiment from the samples, which have been kept locked away for decades.
Nasa plans to land humans on the moon for the first time since 1972 in a mission scheduled for 2025.
Latest Stories
-
Ennobled Foundation webinar empowers Ghanaian youth to leverage international experience for career growth
16 minutes -
The Multimedia Group trains staff on digital storytelling and amplification
20 minutes -
JoySports Invitational Tournament: Ayuda signs on for 2025 edition
33 minutes -
Seth Terkper loses wife; family requests privacy
36 minutes -
Ghana Shippers Authority drags shipping lines to BoG
37 minutes -
Institute of Directors-Ghana elects new Governing Council
39 minutes -
Western North: Mahama promises cocoa farmers 70% of world market price
39 minutes -
GoldBod prices too low to survive – Small-Scale miners cry out
40 minutes -
Video: ‘This is not dollars’ – Mahama jokingly portrays as he gifts cash to cultural dancers
42 minutes -
MEST Africa and Mastercard Foundation EdTech series gathers momentum
1 hour -
Women in PR Ghana Summit 2025 champions ethical storytelling and inclusive representation in PR
1 hour -
Majority Leader appeals to Asantehene to expedite action on Bawku talks after recent killings
1 hour -
JoySports Invitational: ARB Apex Bank latest to sign up
2 hours -
COCOBOD, FAO launch Ghana Cocoa Monitor for sustainable cocoa production
2 hours -
Mrs Deborah Ferguson Terkper
2 hours