As part of NASA’s LEAF mission for lunar plant growth experimentation slated for Artemis III’s journey to the Moon in 2027, Porterfield stresses the scarcity of knowledge concerning the effects of radiation beyond Earth’s confines. Investigating plants’ reactions to varying radiation levels stands out as a crucial objective for the LEAF mission.
Addressing the stagnation in fundamental research essential for deep space exploration, Hanuš draws attention to the risks posed by galactic cosmic radiation present beyond lower orbit. The team is focused on understanding how plants react to radiation variations, a vital factor in shaping future agricultural practices on celestial bodies like the Moon.
While cannabis presents intriguing prospects for space cultivation, on Earth, it continues to battle the stigma associated with recreational drug use despite its extensive medicinal properties. This perception has impeded the recognition of its scientific potential in research and regulatory spheres. Hanuš remains hopeful that the project’s outcomes could challenge this stigma and propel cannabis into the scientific spotlight.
Radišič emphasizes the pivotal nature of both the presence and absence of observable changes in shaping the future of cannabis cultivation in space.
Believing in the potential for groundbreaking discoveries, the chemist Lumír Ondřej Hanuš anticipates that the project could significantly advance our comprehension of cannabis. He underlines the significance of this versatile plant, especially in the context of potential human colonization on other planets.
Petra Knaus, CEO of Genoplant, highlights the necessity to acclimate to the Martian environment and gradually develop cultivation methods vital for plant survival. She asserts that employing customized conditions within closed container systems remains the most feasible option at present. Genoplant is actively engaged in the creation of a novel space capsule for upcoming missions, scheduled for its inaugural reentry test in 2027, designed to enable the study of seed growth in space over an extended period.
The Martian Grow team, led by Hanuš, aims to study a myriad of changes in plants upon their return, spanning genetic, epigenetic, structural, and physiological aspects such as leaf morphology, chlorophyll levels, root development, photosynthetic efficiency, and water utilization. Observations will extend to plant responses to stressors and analyses of enzyme activity, hormone responses, and secondary metabolite production, potentially unveiling novel compounds.
