To grow hemp in space might be the next step in the history of hemp and it might even help us to stay healthy.
Lexington, Ky. based space commercialization company Space Tango, is teaming up with hemp seed genetics provider Atalo Holdings and CBD online retailer Anavii Market. This partnership is to start growth and research on hemp in the microgravity of space.
The long human history of breeding plants and animals for our benefit have with modern science led to huge breakthroughs in agriculture and medicine. Now with more and more governments adopting an accepting stance towards hemp, both scientists and big business are curious in what areas this ancient and versatile cultural plant can help us.
As the cultivation and study of plants in space is no new thing, it was just a matter of time before it would be conducted with hemp as well. Perhaps hoping that it will bring scientific and technological breakthroughs such microgravity crystal growth has for the field of medicine and the study of microgravity fuel combustion has had for the design of more fuel-efficient and cleaner engines.
”…for the discovery of new characteristics, traits, biomedical applications, and efficacy.”
As one of the biggest profits are seen in the pharmacological industry, it will surely come as no surprise if the space research will be conducted in that field. However as hemp is a plant with an abundance of applications, there might even be research made into its well-known properties as a fiber for construction.
But why grow plants in space in the first place. It is surely more convenient to grow them on earth closer to their natural habitat. For some reasons and applications, this holds true, however in others, especially when it comes to stressing the plants into creating certain compounds. The advantages and features of microgravity bring a new wrinkle in the history of hemp breeding and cultivation.
In a quote from spacetango.com Dr. Joe Chappell, who specializes in drug development and design and who is a member of the Space Tango Science Advisory Team, says:
“When plants are ‘stressed,’ they pull from a genetic reservoir to produce compounds that allow them to adapt and survive. Understanding how plants react in an environment where the traditional stress of gravity is removed can provide new insights into how adaptations come about and how researchers might take advantage of such changes for the discovery of new characteristics, traits, biomedical applications, and efficacy.”
Who knows, there might be a future discovered feature of hemp in microgravity that will surprise both medical scientists and engineers. Something that will help us in new areas of life, on and beyond this planet.
Cover Photo by chuttersnap on Unsplash https://unsplash.com/photos/UmncJq4KPcA
