Nigerian scientist sends egusi seeds to space in landmark scientific experiment
A Nigerian space scientist and Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA) alumnus, Temidayo Oniosun is set to journey to outer space with Egusi seeds, a staple in West African cuisine as part of a pioneering scientific experiment
Penpushing reports that Oniosun stated that he is sending Egusi seeds to outer space to assess their suitability for nutritional and functional applications in long-term human space exploration.
The Nigerian, a leading voice in the African space tech community, shared the significance of this moment via social media, boasting that this is the first time in history seeds from Nigeria will be going to space.
“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 seeds from Nigeria will be going to space’, he said
Penpushing further reports that Oniosun’s work is widely celebrated as a monumental achievement for Nigerian science, academia, and innovation, while the space experiment places Nigeria on the world map in the realm of astro-agriculture.
The graduate with a Bachelor of Technology degree in meteorology from the Federal University of Technology, Akure, in 2016, also has a master’s degree in satellite applications from the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, and earned his Ph.D. at the University of Delaware.
Penpushing also reports that Oniosun in May 2015, as a student of the Federal University of Technology, Akure, led the University space club in launching a balloon into space in a contest, and for his work in the space industry, he received the International Astronautical Federation Emerging Space Leadership Award in 2016.
The space scientist was elected the regional coordinator for Africa for the Space Generation Advisory Council in February 2017 and re-elected for a second term in 2019 and has equally provided technical advice to the Nigerian Government on its space programme and initiative
Penpushing reports that Oniosun in November 2024, was in Nigeria as a technical guest facilitator of the Nigerian Satellite Communications Limited, during the visit, he engaged with the management and staff of Nigerian Satellite Communications Limited, sharing strategic insights on how the company can assert itself as a key player in the $20 billion African space and satellite industry.
The product of Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA) in 2021, led @spaceinafrica1 to conduct baseline studies for establishing and operationalising the African Space Agency.
Penpushing further reports that the initiative, which aims to assess the nutritional and functional suitability of Egusi seeds in long-term human space exploration, will launch on 31 July 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.
This ground-breaking experiment marks the first time seeds from Nigeria will be sent to space in a collaboration with The Karman Project and Jaguar Space LLC, two organisations committed to advancing global space cooperation and research.
Penpushing also reports that Egusi seeds, sourced from Oyo State, will be aboard the same launch as payloads managed by NASA Astronaut and U.S. Navy Lieutenant Commander Jonny Kim, who has been assigned to oversee the transfer of experimental items between the Crew-11 Dragon spacecraft, the ISS, and Crew-10 Dragon.
The egusi seeds upon returning to Earth, will undergo rigorous experimental analysis in collaboration with Dr. Wagner Vendrame, a renowned Professor of Ornamental Micropropagation and Cryopreservation at the University of Florida.
Penpushing reports that Vendrame leads a globally recognised research program focused on plant tissue culture and cryopreservation, which has applications in orchids, ornamental trees, foliage plants, and palms.
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