Could Nigeria’s beloved egusi seeds fuel the next generation of astronauts?
That’s what space scientists wanted to discover. Searching for an alternative to the ultra-processed, freeze-dried meals astronauts currently rely on, they sent the seeds into space. Now, after 7 days in orbit, the seeds will be studied to see if they’d be suitable space grub - and for genetic changes that could make them more useful to farmers on Earth.
This process is known as space-breeding, or space mutogenesis - the practice of flying seeds into space in the hope they’ll pick up genetic changes that make them more resistant to drought, heat or pests. China’s second-most common wheat, the drought- and disease-resistant Luyuan 502, was developed this way.
The economy around space tech - such as satellites and exploration - is forecast to soar to $1.8 trillion by 2035, creating value for nearly all industries on Earth and providing solutions to many of the world’s greatest challenges.
