Interview with Jacob Torres: First Person to Grow a Fruit in Space

Interview with Jacob Torres: Growing the First Fruit in Space and Inspiring the Next Generation with Space Chilis

Introduction

Jacob Torres may call himself “Jacob Pepper Seed,” but his work has made him a pioneer in space biology. As part of NASA’s plant science team, Torres helped lead the groundbreaking experiment that produced the first fruit ever grown on the International Space Station (ISS)—a New Mexico chili pepper. In our interview, he shared how NASA is pushing the boundaries of growing food beyond Earth, the challenges of space farming, and how his Moon Chili Challenge is inspiring students worldwide.

From Darwin’s Doubts to NASA’s Breakthroughs

The story of growing food in space began with skepticism. Even Charles Darwin once theorized that plants required gravity to grow. Decades later, NASA scientists—led by Dr. Gioia Massa—set out to prove otherwise. Early experiments with leafy greens in the Veggie growth chamber paved the way, showing astronauts could supplement their diets with fresh produce like lettuce and mustard greens.

Torres explained that while leafy greens were a start, fruits posed far greater challenges. Unlike lettuce, fruits require flowering and pollination—tasks made difficult in the microgravity environment of space, where no bees exist to help the process. Growing a pepper in orbit required 137 days of crew care, patience, and engineering ingenuity.

Growing the First Fruit in Space

In 2021, Torres and his team at Kennedy Space Center prepared an ambitious experiment: growing chili peppers aboard the ISS. After testing seeds from around the world, the team found that peppers native to New Mexico thrived under the conditions of space—high carbon dioxide, LED lighting, and controlled irrigation.

Astronauts aboard the ISS, jokingly dubbed the “Hatchronauts” after the famous Hatch Valley chili region, nurtured the plants over months. They added water, monitored growth, and even played Red Hot Chili Peppers music for the crops. The experiment became the longest continuous plant growth mission ever conducted on the ISS and produced the first space-grown fruit, marking a milestone in space biology.

The Challenges of Space Farming

Torres highlighted that the hardest obstacle in space farming is irrigation. Without gravity, water doesn’t flow into soil the way it does on Earth; instead, it clings to roots and separates from air, causing root rot if not carefully managed. Developing wicking systems and precise moisture control was crucial for success.

The bigger challenge, he explained, is that astronauts cannot rely solely on space-grown crops. Fresh produce will only supplement freeze-dried meals shipped from Earth. But for long-duration missions to the Moon and Mars, where resupply takes months or years, learning to grow fresh food will be essential for astronaut health.

Impact on Earth Agriculture

Interestingly, Torres noted that many of these innovations—LED lighting, closed growth environments, automated irrigation—are now being applied on Earth. Technologies first tested for space are transforming controlled-environment agriculture, advancing indoor farming and offering solutions for food security here at home.

The Moon Chili Challenge

Inspired by the success of the pepper experiment, Torres launched the Space Chili Grow a Pepper Plant Challenge and now the Moon Chili Challenge. The initiative distributes pepper seeds to students and enthusiasts worldwide, encouraging them to grow plants, collect data, and contribute to a global database. This data could one day help validate crops for lunar farming.

Participation is simple: request seeds from Torres, grow them at home, and share your results. The challenge bridges classrooms and space science, making students part of the story of humanity’s journey beyond Earth.

Conclusion

From proving plants can defy Darwin’s doubts to harvesting the first fruit in orbit, Jacob Torres has played a key role in NASA’s quest to feed astronauts on future missions. His work embodies the blend of science, engineering, and cultural heritage—growing New Mexico chilis in the most extreme environment imaginable. Through the Moon Chili Challenge, Torres is not only advancing space biology but also inviting the next generation to take part in shaping the future of food in space.