In a significant step for future astronauts, the crew of China's "Shenzhou 16" mission successfully grew vegetables aboard the "Tiangong" space station. Before their successful return to Earth on Tuesday, October 31, and handing over the station's operations to the "Shenzhou 17" crew, mission commander Jing Haipeng, along with crew members Zhu Yangzhu and Jiu Haichao, cultivated lettuce, cherry tomatoes, and green onions in the Tiangong station.
Jing and his crew spent time growing vegetables using two sets of specialized equipment. The first phase began in June when they planted lettuce and managed to harvest four batches of crops. Then, tomatoes and onions were planted in August.
