iss070e036527

iss070e036527 (Dec. 2, 2023) --- In 2022, astronaut Frank Rubio accidentally lost track of two tomatoes that had broken off a tomato plant and were bagged during a plant check for the eXposed Root On-Orbit Test System (XROOTS) experiment he conducted during his record-breaking 371-day stay aboard the space station. XROOTS uses hydroponic and aeroponic techniques to grow plants without soil or other growth media and could provide suitable solutions for plant systems needed for future space exploration missions. Expedition 70 crewmembers found the lost tomato nearly a year after the initial disappearance. The rogue fruit was found in a plastic bag dehydrated and slightly squished with some discoloration but with no visible microbial or fungal growth.