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Hurricane Jeanne, seen from Space Station on Sept. 25, 2004
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Motions in nearby galaxy cluster reveal presence of hidden superstructure

Gravity Probe B mission begins collecting science to test Einstein's theory

  

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For release: 12/13/02
Satellite release #: 02-314

Attention:  Early Morning Producer
Friday, Dec. 20
6-10 a.m. EST
Free 10-minute windows--with B-roll

First ever ‘space beans’ could improve crops on Earth and support long-term space residents; soybean crop grown on Space Station

  • Soybean seeds germinated and grew into plants for 97 days on the International Space Station.

  • The crop returned to Earth in October, and 83 seeds were harvested from 42 seed pods.

  • Scientists from Pioneer Hi-Bred International Inc., of Des Moines, Iowa, the company that paid for this commercial experiment, are studying and testing these “space beans” to answer such questions as:


  •
    • Can new varieties of crops come from seeds produced by space-grown plants?
    • Can development of naturally bred crop seeds be accelerated in space and save industry millions of dollars?
    • Could “elite” seeds be produced to improve farmer’s crop yields and plant quality?
    • Could plants from these seeds help sustain life during long-duration space missions?
    • Would seeds from space beans have higher oil content or improved nutritional value?
  • Soybeans are used in products worldwide and are a multi-billion-dollar agricultural business.


  • Talk to an expert about the experiment and how it may improve life in space and on Earth.
Who: Dr. Weijia Zhou, Director
Wisconsin Space Center for Automation and Robotics,
a NASA Commercial Space Center
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Satellite coordinates: GE-2, Transponder 9C,
85 degrees west longitude,
Frequency: 3880 MHz, audio: 6.8 MHz.
Contacts:

Satellite Interview Information:
Camille Sevier (256) 544-2188

Story Information:
Steve Roy, Media Relations
(256) 544-0034

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