DuPont to Launch Soybeans into Space

CAPE CANAVERAL, FL – In the first space experiment of its kind, DuPont (NYSE: DD) will begin space exploration designed to discover new scientific research about one of the most consumed crops in the world today – soybeans.

Continuing its extensive history with NASA, DuPont has partnered with the Wisconsin Center for Space Automation and Robotics (WCSAR) – a NASA Commercial Space Center at the University of Wisconsin-Madison – to conduct an unprecedented exploration of soybean development by launching and growing soybean plants in space during NASA's space shuttle flight scheduled for takeoff Thursday, May 30.

The research will determine whether plants grow differently in space and examine the effects of zero-gravity on plant growth and development.

The soybeans-in-space launch is the first initiative to grow a complete soybean crop in space – from planting the seed to harvesting the grain.

DuPont subsidiary, Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., and WCSAR will study the harvested seed from soybean plants grown in space to find out if they have improved oil, protein, carbohydrates or secondary metabolites that could benefit farmers and consumers.

As part of the initiative, scientists will plant Pioneer-brand soybean seeds in a specialized tray within a growth chamber developed by WCSAR.

The chamber will be delivered to the International Space Station (ISS) from the space shuttle flight.

During the 70-day experiment, the soybean plants will germinate, grow and produce seeds. Scientists will monitor the process via video and data sent from the space station.

The plants and harvested grain will be returned to Earth this summer by the Space Shuttle Atlantis.

Seeds exhibiting unique and desirable qualities will be planted by Pioneer researchers to determine if the traits can be inherited in future generations.

Pioneer will identify the genetics of those traits and use that information to further improve the soybeans' efficiency and profitability for farmers.

"For 200 years, innovation has been the cornerstone of DuPont," said Dr. Thomas M. Connelly, Chief Science and Technology Officer for DuPont.

"As a science company, we realize that future opportunities don't always come where you found your last opportunities.

"The discovery process often requires exploring in new areas – like soybeans growing in space – to unleash the next wave of innovation."

"This is an incredible scientific opportunity for us and our partners," said Dr. Tom Corbin, DuPont researcher on the project.

"Studying the effects of soybean plants grown in space will help us expand our knowledge of soybeans and facilitate continued improvement of soybean germplasm for farmers."

The joint initiative builds on ADVANCED ASTROCULTURETM technologies developed by WCSAR that have proven successful in growing other plants in space. ASTROCULTURE(TM) controls the input of variables and conditions necessary for plant growth such as temperature, water, humidity, light, atmospheric conditions and nutrients.

"This program also provides an exciting opportunity for students throughout the world to learn more about the future of basic plant growth through an educational outreach program called Space Explorers, Inc.," Corbin said.

Space Explorers, Inc., will facilitate an information exchange between K-12 students throughout the U.S. and the ISS.

As students grow their own soybean plants in the classroom, they will compare their results to those of the plants growing simultaneously in space.

Students will have the opportunity to view and monitor the actual payloads on the ISS, chat with program scientists and share information with other schools through an online database.

A privately held company based in Green Bay, WI, Space Explorers, Inc., has a mission of providing innovative, standards-based education programs delivered via the Internet in order to educate the public about the science of space.

WCSAR makes space available to industry in the interest of development and commercialization of new products and processes.

It provides controlled environment technologies and facilities, plant genetic transformation technologies, enhanced biosynthesis technologies, as well as robotic and automated technologies.

See Related Websites/Articles:

DuPont
Pioneer
Wisconsin Center for Space Automation and Robotics
Space Explorers, Inc.

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