A cornerstone of West African cuisine, Egusi (melon) seeds, are poised for an unprecedented journey to outer space.
First in scientific experiment, spearheaded by Nigerian space scientist and Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) alumnus, Temidayo Oniosun, aims to evaluate the nutritional and functional suitability of Egusi seeds for extended human space exploration.
The historic launch was scheduled for July 31st at 12:09 PM EDT (5:09 PM Nigerian time), aboard NASA’s Crew-11 resupply mission to the International Space Station (ISS) from Cape Canaveral, Florida.
According to a statement jointly signed by Space In Africa’s Queen Dare and Temitayo Oniosun, on Wednesday, this innovative initiative marks the first time that seeds from Nigeria will be sent to space, a testament to global cooperation in space research, facilitated by collaborations with The Karman Project and Jaguar Space LLC. Temidayo Oniosun, a prominent voice in Africa’s burgeoning space tech community, expressed the profound significance of the moment.
The statement quoted Oniosun as saying: “I am sending Egusi seeds to outer space to assess their suitability for nutritional and functional applications in long-term human space exploration.
“This is the first time in history that seeds from Nigeria will be going to space.”
Carefully sourced from Oyo State, the Egusi seeds will share the payload with other experimental items under the supervision of NASA astronaut and U.S. Navy Lieutenant Commander Jonny Kim.
When they return to Earth, the Egusi seeds will undergo a rigorous battery of experimental analyses in partnership with Dr. Wagner Vendrame, a distinguished Professor at the University of Florida.
This post-spaceflight research will delve into various aspects, including in vitro germination for morphological and physiological changes, spectral imaging for viability, respiration tests to assess metabolic activity, and molecular analysis to identify genetic variations. Oniosun further emphasized,
“This research goes beyond agriculture; it’s about food security, adaptability, and scientific sovereignty in space exploration.
“If Egusi can survive and thrive after exposure to space conditions, it opens new doors for indigenous crops in extra-terrestrial agriculture”, Oniosun said.
This bold step not only highlights Nigerian scientific prowess but also paves the way for a more diverse and resilient approach to food production in the final frontier.
Photos: Space in Africa