When SpaceX launches its next mission in the coming days, it will include an Australian-led experiment that could have significant ramifications for the future of space exploration.
The Fram2 mission, scheduled to blast off from Cape Canaveral in Florida next Monday local time, is already aiming to make history by becoming the first human space flight to orbit the Earth's polar regions. But the four-person team of amateur astronauts, including Australian Eric Philips, will also be attempting another novel achievement.
"We're attempting to 'fruit' mushrooms in space for the very first time," Dr Flavia Fayet-Moore said.
The nutrition scientist, who heads Australian company FoodiQ Global, submitted a successful expression-of-interest to undertake the project on the upcoming mission. Under the plan, a small box containing substrate — the material used to grow mushrooms — and mycelium — the root-like structure of fungus — will be stowed on board SpaceX's Dragon capsule.
Read more at ABC News