ESA astronaut grows lettuce on ISS

Andre Kuipers, a Dutch astronaut, who returned to the Earth on Friday, grew lettuce on the International Space Station (ISS).

As part of an educational program, Mr. Kuipers and children on earth grew lettuce simultaneously.

"The experiment is over," Mr. Kuipers told RIA Novosti.

"This is highly important both for science and the children on Earth," he added.

On April 22 Mr. Kuipers had a 12-minute conference with the European Space Agency research center. He promised the children that he would grow a good crop. The Dutch children were happy that the astronaut had fulfilled their request.

Mr. Kaupers, who spent ten days on the ISS, planted lettuce seeds on April 19.

As a control for the experiment, the astronaut and the children had the same amount and species of seed.