NASA astronauts have successfully grown the first flower in space.
Astronaut Scott Kelly shared pictures of the first flower grown outside earth’s atmosphere on Saturday.
"First ever flower grown in space makes its debut," he posted on Twitter.
The laboratory-grown zinnias, a native flower of the southwestern U.S., are part of NASA’s Veggie plant growth experiment.
The results will help NASA solve the challenges of growing plant life in space.
"While the plants haven't grown perfectly," Dr. Gioia Massa, team leader for the vegetable growth experiment, said in a release. "I think we have gained a lot from this, and we are learning both more about plants and fluids and also how better to operate between ground and station. Regardless of final flowering outcome we will have gained a lot."
NASA astronauts grew lettuce in space earlier this year. A representative from NASA said growing a flower in space is a lot more difficult than growing a vegetative crop like lettuce.
"The zinnia plant is very different from lettuce," Trent Smith, project manager, said in a release. "It is more sensitive to environmental parameters and light characteristics."
Or as Kelly later tweeted:
"Yes, there are other life forms in space!"
