The first tomatoes grown under special conditions in space are returning to earth for study, according to NASA.

Specifically, NASA reports that samples from its studies of plant growth, fire safety, and changes in muscles and arteries are returning from the International Space Station this hour today on SpaceX’s 27th commercial resupply mission for the service.

The science samples will be transported to the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. There, scientists will conduct additional analyzes before gravity takes full effect.

Veg-05 grew tomatoes in the station’s Veggie Facility to examine the effects of light and fertilizer quality on fruit production, microbial safety, and nutritional value.
According to NASA, the ability to grow plants in space for fresh food and to improve the overall living experience of crew members is the “key” to future long-duration missions.

It is noted that the crew performed three harvests on days 90, 97 and 104 by freezing the tomatoes along with water samples and smears of the growth material.