Nigerian egusi melon seeds, a high-protein staple, have completed a historic trip to the International Space Station and are set to return to Earth for scientific study. The experiment, a first for a West African food, is being hailed as a step toward a more diverse and inclusive future for space exploration.
Egusi melon seeds, a key ingredient in Nigerian cuisine, are set to splash down in the Pacific Ocean today after a historic trip to the International Space Station (ISS). This experiment, a first for a West African food, is a pioneering effort by Space in Africa, a Lagos-based firm founded by Temidayo Oniosun. The initiative aims to explore how food native to different cultures can contribute to future space exploration and colonization.
Oniosun, who sees the mission as a reflection of global diversity in space, stated that the launch of egusi seeds is “more than a symbolic gesture.” He believes the project has captured public imagination more than previous satellite launches because of its cultural relevance.
Upon their return, scientists at the University of Florida and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture in Ibadan will analyze the seeds to assess the effects of zero gravity and space exposure on their DNA. The seeds will then be planted to monitor their germination and growth, potentially paving the way for cultivating indigenous crops beyond Earth.