The Rooibos in Space project has reached a significant milestone, with 17,346 rooibos seeds prepared to travel to the International Space Station (ISS) aboard a spacecraft. The seeds, weighing approximately 74.2 grams, are divided into three batches: untreated, scarified, and scarified with a protective agricultural coating. They will be secured inside a specialized Nanolab, a compact research module designed for spaceflight experiments.
The Nanolab, carrying the rooibos experiment and other school and university experiments, is scheduled to launch to the ISS aboard the Cygnus NG-25 commercial resupply spacecraft between December 2026 and January 2027. The mission was initially set to launch in October but was rescheduled due to changes in the Voyager/NASA flight schedule. The rooibos seeds will be exposed to microgravity and space radiation for four to six weeks before returning to Earth for further testing.
The experiment aims to investigate the effects of space conditions on the germination, growth, and resilience of rooibos seeds. Dawie de Villiers, Director of the South African Rooibos Council (SARC), expressed excitement about the milestone, highlighting the scientific objective of exploring how rooibos seeds respond to conditions beyond Earth. The project is a collaborative effort between the SARC and MaxIQ Space.
The rooibos seeds will be planted alongside control seeds in the Cederberg region, Rooibos' natural growing area, and at Parklands College. Over 18 months, learners and researchers will monitor and analyze differences in germination, growth patterns, and plant development. Learner participation is a key aspect of the project, providing young people with hands-on experience in scientific investigation and STEM skills.
Cyril Ngqwala, rooibos seed technician, finds the experience of preparing the experiment and working with the seeds a rare opportunity to combine traditional knowledge with space science. The project has also included school engagement, STEM education, and a national Mission Patch competition, which challenged youth to design a unique patch for the mission.
The Rooibos in Space initiative marks the first time a South African indigenous plant seed has been sent into space for this type of research. The project offers a unique opportunity to explore how rooibos, a plant adapted to the Cederberg region, responds to extreme space conditions. The seeds' journey to space is a significant step in understanding their potential for growth and resilience in challenging environments.
The Rooibos in Space project demonstrates the potential for innovative and collaborative research initiatives in South Africa. With its focus on STEM education and learner participation, the project is inspiring a new generation of scientists and researchers. The experiment's findings could have implications for the study of plant growth and resilience in space and on Earth.
Key points
- The Rooibos in Space project is a groundbreaking experiment that will study the effects of microgravity and space radiation on rooibos seeds.
- The project is a collaboration between the South African Rooibos Council and MaxIQ Space, with learner participation and STEM education at its core.
- The experiment's findings could have implications for the study of plant growth and resilience in space and on Earth.
