Join the New Zealand Astrobiology Network to learn how seeds grow in space on the International Space Station.
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Overview
In 2021, astronauts aboard the International Space Station are undertaking a plant-growth experiment with basil seeds.
The Japanese Space Agency (JAXA) has sent us some seeds from the exact same batch as those being flown into space, to give you a chance to perform your own experiments here on Earth.
Grow your own ‘space seeds’ and compare the differences.
The results from the ISS will return to Earth in July and will be analysed in Japan.
Following requests from teachers who wanted to compare the results on Earth with the results from the ISS
we decided to extend the date for submitting your posters and results.
You have
to finish your project.
Your results will be judged by the NZAN board.
What to feed to your basil plants (aka fertilisers) and what has that got to do with stars.
When you submit a report or a poster you get in the draw to win a planetarium visit to your school and some other awesome prizes.
Give your basil plenty of warmth and light.
It grows well in a warm environment, with the optimum temperature being 22 to 30 degrees Celsius. Keep it well lit when growing it indoors, for instance under fluorescent lights in the room or place the container closer to a desk light.
The first five days of the space basil went great, the plants are healthy and grow well.
How to set up your own growth chamber for your seeds, at your school on Earth.
The plant chamber for basil and starting the experiment. A brief overview of how basil is grown on the International Space Station
About the Seeds in Space Programme
The following links are provided by the
Japanese Space Agency, JAXA
| TBD July | JAXA researchers will analyse the data and communicate the findings. |
| July 2021 | The seeds return to Earth from the ISS |
| 16 February to 18 March, 2021 | Space experiment was conducted in the Kibo module by the Japanese astronaut Soichi NOGUCHI. Click here for the link to the photos on JAXA’s website. |
| December 7, 2020 | The seeds were launched to the ISS/Kibo on SpX-21 |
| October 2020 | The seeds were shipped from JAXA to NASA |
| Until September 2020 | Space Seeds were prepared to be sent to the ISS. |
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