The Emirates Space Agency (ESA) has announced that it will send seeds from the palm tree to the International Space Station in the next few days to study its impact on the space environment and explore its future potential in the world's first scientific research experiment. The College of Food and Agriculture at the University of the United Arab Emirates, and the «Nano Racks».
The launch will be from Cape Canaveral, Florida, USA, aboard a Falcon 9 rocket that will carry spacecraft Dragon's Space 18 mission to supply the International Space Station with supplies.
The palm nuclei were delivered to the launch pad by Emirates Post, the leading postal and express delivery provider in the UAE, while the launch was organized by NanoRax under the SpaceEx agreement signed with the US Space Agency The company will oversee the safety, data logging, launch and operation of the experiment, which will include the possibility of adapting this plant to conditions of zero gravity in space. The experiment, which will be sent to the station at the end of the experiments, will be re-planted on the ground in order to research, analyze, conduct scientific experiments and record the differences that affected it after the period spent in space.
The experiment is part of the Palm Experiment in Space, which seeks to reach the possibility of palm cultivation on the surface of Mars by sending the seeds of this tree as a first stage to the International Space Station for testing and then to Mars for planting in future stages. The palm tree was chosen for its place and its symbol with the late father Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and the people of the UAE in general. He was keen to develop the plant till the UAE became one of the highest countries in terms of the number of trees.
The project supports global scientific efforts to achieve food security on the planet and in outer space. It is the UAE's contribution to these efforts by finding solutions to the challenges of agriculture. Long-term living in space requires large quantities of food, water and oxygen. To be addressed through their research projects. These solutions, which the UAE and the international community will reach, will contribute to finding solutions to the agricultural challenges we face on Earth, especially in the country, due to the challenges of climate, soil and water scarcity.
"The national space sector has reached advanced stages that will enable it to launch the most complex research projects and the most difficult in this field," said Dr. Khalid Al Hashimi, Director of the Department of Space Tasks at Emirates Space Agency. The project emphasizes the active role played by the UAE in space research and its development. This is an area that benefits mankind. This project is part of the strategic objectives of the Emirates Space Agency to support the scientific research in the field of space in the country, and strengthens its efforts in building local and global partnerships.
"The project demonstrates the UAE's position in the space research industry, and we are proud to partner with the Emirates Space Agency for this ambitious scientific experience, especially for what palm trees symbolize and their close association with our culture," said Abdullah Mohammed Al Ashram, Acting CEO of Emirates Post Group. And our heritage, and on the other hand, this project is in line with our ongoing commitment to support national efforts to promote a culture of innovation, excellence and leadership, and look forward to the results and success of this experience ».
"The palm tree has played an important role in the pre-oil era in the UAE, where it was the main focus of life," he added.
"The project is in line with other projects and initiatives launched by the UAE in this context, including the Mars 2117 Project and the Mars Scientific City Project, through which the state is working to simulate the living conditions on the surface of Mars," said Rashid Al Zaabi, Including food and water security and sustainability. "
He added: "The palm tree was chosen due to its suitable nature for agriculture in an environment similar to Mars, in addition to its great interest because of its special value associated with the customs of the people and traditions and values of daily life, which is one of the oldest and oldest trees grown in the region.
«Selection of palm tree for its status and symbolism of Sheikh Zayed and the people of the UAE».
«Experience supports global efforts to achieve food security on Earth ... and in space».
The experience comes within the "Palm in Space" project.
From the source