'Gardening' in Space: Sunita Williams's 10-Day Test Flight Exceeds 50 Days

Sunita Williams, an Indian astronaut, has remained in space for fifty days and counting since taking out on the inaugural Boeing Starliner voyage, which was intended to last for ten days.
Following several helium leaks, the Starliner experienced propulsion system issues. However, NASA reports that Ms. Williams and her fellow astronaut, Barry "Butch" Wilmore, are safely on board the International Space Station (ISS), where they have been helping the seven astronauts on Expedition 71 with maintenance and other experiments since June 6.
According to the US space agency, veteran Ms. Williams, who is currently on her third space mission, looked on leveraging surface tension and other concepts from fluid physics to offset the absence of gravity when hydrating and feeding plants being grown in space. This is akin to gardening in space and is a very vital step towards understanding how plants grow and respond to microgravity conditions. The research will be crucial when humanity looks to establish various bases in the solar system and beyond.

Additionally, Ms. Williams and Mr. Wilmore took part in ultrasound-assisted vein scans. As the two alternated between photographing the veins in each other's neck, shoulder, and legs, real-time monitoring by doctors on the ground was conducted. Additionally, Ms. Wilmore had a vein scan from fellow NASA astronaut Matthew Dominick to better understand the effects of microgravity on the human body.

Aside from basic biology studies, astronauts are investigating the effects of space travel on the human body and psyche. Akin to a mini-city in space, the International Space Station (ISS) has been carrying out operations for 25 years. Ms. Williams used DNA extraction to identify microbial samples taken from water systems. Findings from the genetic biotechnology experiment could lead to better methods of maintaining crew health and clean spacecraft systems on future missions.