Contact
Steve Roy
 Media Relations Dept.
 (256) 544-0034

Graphic for line

Radio
 Radio interviews Available: Monday - Thursday, Dec. 16-19

Marshall news index

Graphic for line

E-mail
Get releases sent directly to you!

Contact:
Betty Humphery

Graphic for line

Marshall News

Hurricane Jeanne, seen from Space Station on Sept. 25, 2004
FEATURED PHOTO
Hurricane Jeanne

Marshall Headlines

Motions in nearby galaxy cluster reveal presence of hidden superstructure

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

  

Graphic for radio interview banner Link to Marshall Newsroom home page

For release: 12/13/2002
Satellite release #: 02-315

Attention:  News Directors
Free Radio Interviews Available
Monday - Thursday, Dec. 16-19

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: James Grisham
NASA Space Product Development Market Manager
NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center
Contacts:

Radio Interview Information:
Grant Thompson (256) 544-4159

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

For more information:

Visit the Marshall News Center for news media.

Newsroom Home | News releases | Photos | Fact sheets
Video | Audio | Bios | Press kits | Media services | Contact us