A space capsule carrying 150 cannabis seeds, intended to study how the crop fares in space, crashed into the Pacific Ocean on Monday after its parachute failed. The capsule, launched by SpaceX earlier that day, was also carrying the remains of more than 160 deceased people who paid for a brief trip into space.
The mission, called Nyx, was designed to test whether cannabis seeds could germinate and develop in microgravity and cosmic radiation conditions similar to those found on Mars. The goal is to determine if cannabis can be grown in space and potentially used as a food source or medicinal plant for future lunar or Martian missions.
“We will have to adapt to the environment on Mars, and slowly adapt our plants for them to survive,” Petra Knaus, CEO of Genoplant, said. “For now, we believe it will only be possible [to grow plants] in a closed system container with the conditions adapted.”
The failed mission is not the first time cannabis has been sent to space. In 2020, hemp tissue and coffee were launched to the International Space Station, but the results are still unpublished.
Cannabis experts say that if humans want to settle on the moon or Mars, cannabis could be an ideal plant to supply those projects due to its versatility. However, growing marijuana in space poses several challenges, including microgravity, extreme temperatures, toxins, and a lack of nutrients in the soil.
The failure of this mission sets back plans for growing marijuana on Mars, but experts say it’s still possible with further research and development.
Source: https://www.marijuanamoment.net/cannabis-seeds-launched-to-orbit-by-spacex-crash-into-sea-setting-back-mission-to-grow-marijuana-on-mars