By Jamie Martin
Aisha Bowe, a citizen astronaut and entrepreneur, carried more than curiosity on her Blue Origin New Shepard (NS-31) flight—she carried a vision for farming beyond Earth. Her mission highlighted how food crops such as sweet potatoes and chickpeas react to the conditions of microgravity, advancing vital research for future space survival.
As a Science Payload Operator, Bowe worked alongside Blue Origin and university partners to ensure this experiment was included in the mission. The intent was to extend earlier NASA plant biology findings stored in the GeneLab by applying them to actual food crops.
Students from Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) prepared and later analyzed the flown samples, gaining a rare chance to contribute to real space science. Their work supported the research team in documenting the molecular and physiological responses of the crops.
This collaboration produced a peer-reviewed paper, set to be presented at the International Astronautical Congress in Sydney, Australia, on October 1, 2025. It is a step toward answering the big question of how humanity will feed itself when living away from Earth.
For Bowe, a former NASA aerospace engineer, the mission was proof that private citizens and scientists can join forces to deliver groundbreaking science. "This mission shows what's possible when citizen astronauts work alongside scientists and students to deliver meaningful research," said Bowe. "It's not the typical path, but that's exactly why it matters. We're opening doors to science in space that were closed before."
From a handful of seeds in orbit to findings shared on the global stage, the experiment shows that the future of exploration will depend not only on reaching new planets but also on learning how to sustain life there.
Photo Credit:gettyimages-harvepino
Categories: National