Embrapa research tests plant cultivation in space

The Embrapa experiment with sweet potato plants and chickpea seeds on the Blue Origin's New Shepard-31 suborbital flight mission in April was presented at the 76th International Astronautical Congress (IAC 2025) in Sydney, Australia. The IAC is the most important global event in the field. The research was part of the actions of the Space Farming Brazil Network, which brings together various national and international institutions. In the document, prepared for the congress, Embrapa researchers describe how the materials were prepared for the flight, under rigorous conditions, during the journey and post-flight. In addition, the scientists presented how the evaluations will be conducted to understand the responses to the effects caused by space radiation and microgravity. The control protocol ensures that there is no contamination or loss of samples at any stage. For researcher Alessandra Fávero, coordinator of the Space Farming Brazil Network and one of the authors of the ...