We are co-authors on a peer-reviewed research article, “Balancing Nutrient Content and Nitrate Levels in Space Agriculture: Investigating LED Light and CO₂ Effects on Space-Grown Leafy Green Vegetables,” published in the Journal of Gravitational and Space Research. Lead author Margaret E. Hitt, founder of the Dow High Space Farmers, worked with student researchers to carry this project from classroom experiments to publication.

Working with NASA’s Growing Beyond Earth (GBE) program, our team and collaborators at Jefferson Middle School tested Red Romaine lettuce and Hybrid Leafy Asian Greens in custom-built chambers that mimic spaceflight plant systems. By changing LED light intensity, CO₂ levels, and seed radiation exposure, we examined how to grow “space salads” that are compact, high-yield, and rich in potassium, magnesium, and calcium—while keeping nitrate and iron levels in a safer range for astronauts.

The study found that moderate CO₂ enrichment and carefully controlled light levels can reduce nitrate buildup but may also shift other nutrients, underscoring the need for precise environmental control in future Moon and Mars missions. The work was recognized with First Place in the High School Poster Section at the 2024 American Society for Gravitational and Space Research (ASGSR) Annual Meeting.