Space Seeds: Growing Forests From Above
A groundbreaking space mission known as “Mission Possible” has recently achieved a significant milestone. This mission involves sending a large number of plant, animal, and human cells into space for further studies, including cancer research. The seeds that are brought back to Earth will be utilized for planting forests, and the analysis of the samples could potentially have implications for energy supply, as reported by Index.
The “Genesis 1,000 Samples to LEO & Back to Earth” mission is a series of pioneering biological space experiments conducted by Genesis Sustainable Future Limited (Genesis SFL) in collaboration with international partners after nearly two years of preparation. The company had previously received funding from the European Space Agency (ESA) to develop portable laboratories between 2022-2023.
Bence Mátyás, a researcher and the founding CEO of Genesis Analytics, explained that the mission involves launching 1,000 biological samples into low Earth orbit (LEO) using CubeSat satellites. The objective is to enhance our understanding of how space conditions impact biological organisms, contributing to advancements in space biology and potential future space colonization.
Traditionally, biological experiments are carried out on the International Space Station, located approximately 420 kilometers from Earth’s surface. In contrast, the Genesis SFL mission will take place at an altitude of 800 kilometers, exposing biological samples to higher levels of radiation. This unique environment, combined with microgravity, provides an invaluable opportunity for new discoveries in fields such as biomarkers, agriculture, and medicine.
The project aims to observe how cells grow and adapt in extreme conditions, identifying which biological samples can survive in space and how they respond to the environment. The return of the samples to Earth will enable further research that can benefit various scientific fields, including potential advancements in cancer treatment and other medical areas.
The biological samples will be housed in the MayaSat-1 research satellite developed by the Genesis team. MayaSat-1 will serve as a biological incubator to ensure proper storage conditions for the samples during extended space missions, maintaining their viability for post-mission analysis. The satellite will be launched aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket between February and July 2025 from the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, returning to Earth after three orbits.
In addition to these efforts, the Orion Space Generation Foundation is collaborating with Genesis to develop technologies essential for future space colonization, focusing on creating sustainable environments for long-term human habitation beyond Earth. The research includes the development of life support systems and space agriculture technologies for producing food in space.
Ultimately, the collaboration between Orion and Genesis SFL within the “Mission Possible” initiative represents a crucial advancement in understanding the potential of space farming and creating self-sufficient space habitats for human presence in the long term.
