NASA astronauts are spicing up the International Space Station — by growing chile peppers on board for the first time - CBS News

Outer space is getting spicier, thanks to a new NASA initiative to add a little more flavor to astronauts' diets.

NASA announced last week that astronauts aboard the International Space Station are growing red and green chile peppers for the very first time.

"The APH is the largest plant growth facility on the space station and has 180 sensors and controls for monitoring plant growth and the environment," said project manager Nicole Dufour.

"It is a diverse growth chamber, and it allows us to help control the experiment from Kennedy, reducing the time astronauts spend tending to the crops.".

The peppers will spend about four months growing before they can be harvested and eaten, marking the first time astronauts have cultivated peppers on the station from seeds to maturity.

"We have previously tested flowering to increase the chance for a successful harvest because astronauts will have to pollinate the peppers to grow fruit.".

Scientists hope the crop will help to supplement astronauts' diets on future missions, providing much-needed Vitamin C and other nutrients

They plan to collect crew feedback on the peppers' flavor and texture, as well as Scoville measurements