Genesis SFL has last month announced a strategic collaboration with the ORION Space Generation Foundation / ORION Űrnemzedék Alapítvány to conduct genetic experiments with a substantial quantity of various seeds in Low Earth Orbit. Due to the high volume of seeds being sent, ORION has requested a dedicated rack in the MayaSat-1 incubator. This initiative is part of the "Mission Possible" and will utilize the MayaSat-1 biological cubesat incubator in conjunction with The Exploration Company's Nyx mid-size space capsule.
The mission will involve orbiting the seeds before returning them to Earth for comprehensive genetic analysis. Orion has secured the final available slots on MayaSat-1, which will remain attached to Nyx for the duration of the mission. This setup will enable the retrieval of the seeds by researchers upon completion of the mission.
The vertical farming modules are integrated into space habitats to provide food security, artificial ecosystem services and industrial raw materials. They include advanced environmental controls to manage factors like light, temperature, and nutrients, which are critical for plant growth in space conditions.
In addition to sending their own seeds into space, the ORION also collaborates with local farmers by sending seeds of native, region-specific plant varieties into space for joint research purposes. This initiative aims to explore how these seeds can contribute to future agricultural developments both on Earth and in space.
The Orion team has conveyed to Genesis SFL that their objectives extend beyond purely research goals. Anett Fenyőfalvi, Chair of the Foundation, explained that while the research results are crucial, they also have broader ambitions: "Our goal is to explore how seeds respond to a journey that simulates deep space missions, particularly in terms of exposure to cosmic radiation. We're also sending economically important seeds to space—many of which have never before been sent in human history. These studies could play a crucial role in ensuring the success of deep space missions by helping us select species and propagation materials that can guarantee food security and provide industrial raw materials for astronauts."
Additionally, the foundation is exploring in-situ resource utilization (ISRU), which involves using resources from space environments—such as celestial bodies—for essential materials and energy, potentially reducing reliance on Earth-based supplies.
Overall, ORION's efforts are directed towards making space habitats more self-sufficient and viable for long-term human presence. Their partnership with Genesis SFL on "Mission Possible" represents a significant advance in understanding the potential of space-based agriculture.
For more information:
ORION Space Generation Foundation
Anett Fenyőfalvi
[email protected]
https://urnemzedek.com