Historic Partnership Strengthens HBCU’s Role in Space Science Research
(Black PR Wire) Plant samples from Winston-Salem State University’s Astrobotany Lab will be on the first Blue Origin all-female mission to space this spring.
Esteemed rocket scientist, entrepreneur and global STEM trailblazer, Aisha Bowe, is partnering with WSSU, one of the nation’s leading HBCUs, and Odyssey, WSSU’s space science and operations firm, to launch a groundbreaking suborbital space experiment aboard Blue Origin’s All-Female Mission, NS-31.
This milestone experiment, led by WSSU Astrobotany students and researchers, will investigate how crop plants respond to microgravity at the molecular level, advancing sustainable space agriculture and food security on Earth.
WSSU’s leading Astrobotany research program, housed within its Department of Biological Sciences, has been at the forefront of space plant science, making this the first suborbital spaceflight experiment in the university’s history.
The Astrobotany lab is the only Space Plant Biology lab at an HBCU and is the only HBCU lab with a Space Act Agreement with NASA Kennedy Space Center Crop Production Team.
Groundbreaking Experiment for the Future of Space Agriculture, Food Security
The experiment will assess the early molecular stress response of crop plants to microgravity exposure, focusing on six key genes related to stress response, nutrient transport and metabolism.
Students will investigate how gravity influences plant growth by looking for changes in gene activity. After the flight, they will use molecular tools to compare gene expression in plants exposed to microgravity to ground controls.
“This mission not only advances scientific discovery but also provides an unparalleled opportunity for our students to engage in real-world space research,” said Dr. Rafael Loureiro, associate professor of Botany and Plant Physiology, and founder of the Astrobotany Lab at WSSU. “By participating in this suborbital flight experiment with Aisha, our students gain hands-on experience that will help shape the future of astrobotany, space exploration and sustainable food production beyond Earth.”
“This collaboration ensures that HBCU students are not just participants but leaders in space science,” said WSSU Chancellor Bonita J. Brown, the first female chancellor in WSSU’s history. “Winston-Salem State University is committed to breaking barriers, and this mission is a testament to the critical role that HBCUs play in advancing space research and preparing our students to lead the future of exploration.”
Empowering the Next Generation of Space Scientists
Through this collaboration, WSSU students – one of the few HBCU-led teams conducting space-based plant research – are contributing to cutting-edge discoveries with direct applications for future lunar and Martian habitats.
“This experiment is about world-class research that benefits both space and life on Earth,” said Bowe, who will be conducting the experiment onboard Blue Origin’s NS-31 flight. “WSSU’s Astrobotany Lab is shaping the future of sustainable agriculture beyond our planet, and I’m honored to support their groundbreaking work.”
Research Implications & the Future
The findings from this experiment will contribute to longer-duration spaceflight studies, advancing understanding of how plants adapt to extreme environments, a key factor for future lunar and Martian habitation.
The Blue Origin NS-31 launch marks a significant milestone for HBCUs, space-based agriculture, and the broader science community.
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