Egusi seeds from Oyo make their way to space for agricultural research mission

Egusi seeds from Oyo make their way to space for agricultural research mission .


A seed from the Egusi melon, procured in Oyo State, will participate in an international agricultural research mission launching to the International Space Station (ISS) on July 31, 2025. This initiative, led by Nigerian space scientist and entrepreneur Dr. Temidayo Oniosun, marks a historic moment as it is the first time a seed indigenous to West Africa has been included in a space experiment. The seed will be sent into orbit on SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida, as part of the Crew-11 mission to the ISS. It will be joined by other notable crops from countries including Egypt, Armenia, and Pakistan, in a study designed to explore how traditional agricultural seeds react to microgravity conditions. "This represents the first instance of something from Nigeria traveling to space," stated Dr. Oniosun, who is the Principal Investigator for the project. "By showcasing Nigeria—and West Africa—on an international stage for space research, this mission highlights the significance of indigenous crops

Guardian
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