In unprecedented space research,
DuPont scientists have
discovered that soybeans grown in space are similar to
earth-grown crops -- unleashing the ability to sustainably grow
vegetation to support long-term human presence in space.
Soybeans are one of the most consumed crops in the world today.
During a DuPont research mission that concluded with the
return of Space Shuttle Atlantis in October, soybean seeds
planted and nurtured by DuPont scientists germinated, developed
into plants, flowered, and produced new seedpods in space aboard
the International Space Station. The 97-day growth research
initiative was the first ever to complete a major crop growth
cycle in space -- from planting seeds to growing new seeds.
With 83 space-grown soybean seeds on earth since October,
DuPont conducted several analytical studies on the harvested
seeds. The space-grown seeds were manually split -- with one
part of the seed sowed to grow and the other half grounded to
examine its biological characteristics. The space-grown seeds
and their subsequent plants were compared to a variety of
independent earth-grown soybean seeds and plants. After several
months of analysis, DuPont researchers discovered that the
space-grown soybeans -- when compared to earth-grown soybeans --
were similar in physical and biological characteristics,
developmental rate, morphology, and seed yields. Scientists, who
will continue to monitor the initiative, noted the space-grown
seeds were higher in sugar content, but lower in oil and amino
acid content, presumably due to the higher carbon dioxide levels
on the International Space Station.
"This clearly demonstrates soybeans can be grown as a crop in
space to provide both food and serve as an atmospheric scrubber
for long-term space travel," said Dr. Tom Corbin, DuPont lead
researcher on the initiative. "This project was a great success.
When we started, we were unsure if the seeds would even remain
planted in space without any gravity, let alone grow. As it
turned out, the project was the first-ever to complete a major
crop growth cycle in space -- from planting seeds to growing new
seeds. It was also the first major crop grown on the
International Space Station. Studying the effects of soybean
plants grown in space has expanded our knowledge of soybeans and
facilitated continued improvement of soybean seeds for farmers."
The soybeans returned to earth in October aboard the
Atlantis. The prior June, DuPont subsidiary
Pioneer Hi-Bred International,
Inc., with the Wisconsin Center for Space Automation and
Robotics (WCSAR) -- a NASA Commercial Space Center at the
University of Wisconsin-Madison -- launched the soybean seed
experiment on Space Shuttle Endeavour. As part of the research
mission, Pioneer® brand soybean seeds grew in a specialized
enclosed and environmentally controlled growth chamber developed
by WCSAR. Pioneer and WCSAR scientists monitored the soybeans'
growth daily and provided adjustments to facilitate growth.
Through video monitoring and data telemetry sent from the
International Space Station, scientists also examined the
effects of zero- gravity and other elements in space regarding
plant growth.
According to the United Soybean Board, soybeans are the
largest single source of protein meal and vegetable oil in the
human diet. Domestically, soybeans provide 80 percent of the
edible consumption of fats and oils in the United States. In
2000, 54 percent of the world's soybean trade originated from
the United States with soybean and product exports totaling more
than $6.6 billion. The world's largest seed company, Pioneer is
also the brand leader in soybeans with more than 100 product
varieties on the market.
"This was an incredible scientific opportunity for us and our
partners," Corbin said. "As a science company, we know that
future research opportunities may come from totally different
venues and needs as we look ahead. The discovery process often
requires exploring unprecedented avenues to unleash the next
wave of innovation, discovering new and meaningful innovation
wherever it is."
DuPont has a rich tradition of space exploration initiatives,
dating to NASA's origination 33 years ago. For example, when
Neil Armstrong walked on the moon in 1969, his spacesuit
included 25 separate layers -- 23 of those layers were DuPont
materials. In 1984, Pioneer corn seeds were on board a
Challenger shuttle launch. The seeds, which were not planted
while in space, were used in science-based initiatives after
returning to Earth.
WCSAR makes space available to industry in the interest of
development and commercialization of new products and processes.
It provides controlled environment technologies and facilities,
plant genetic transformation technologies, enhanced biosynthesis
technologies, as well as robotic and automated technologies.
