A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifted off June 23 from Vandenberg, carrying a diverse payload of biological samples—among them, approximately 150 cannabis seeds—pioneering an investigation into the plant’s exposure to space radiation.
The seeds were housed in MayaSat‑1, a compact biological incubator developed by the Slovenian Genoplant Research Institute. The payload entered a polar low Earth orbit, subjecting the samples to radiation levels up to 100 times higher than those encountered on the equatorial path of the International Space Station. After three complete orbits, the capsule re‑entered and splashed down near Hawaii. The samples are now en route to Europe, where detailed analysis will commence.
Leading the scientific endeavour is Dr. Božidar Radišič of the Martian Grow project. Alongside his team from the Research Nature Institute in Slovenia, Radišič aims to evaluate cannabis’s potential as a resilient, multipurpose crop suitable for extraterrestrial farming. Cannabis, known for its fast growth, adaptability, and diverse applications—including food, textiles, building materials, and medicine—is being scrutinised to assess whether cosmic conditions may accelerate beneficial genetic adaptations.
Previous efforts—such as the 2019 cannabis tissue culture study aboard the ISS—remain unpublished, making this mission potentially the first to publicly release peer‑reviewed findings on space‑exposed cannabis.
Post-recovery, Radišič’s team and collaborators from the University of Ljubljana will embark on an exhaustive two-year study. They plan to cultivate subsequent generations derived from the space‑flown seeds, examining genetic mutations, cannabinoid composition, structural features (leaf size, root development, chlorophyll levels), and stress responses. The team will then simulate Martian soil and gravity conditions on Earth to explore long-term cultivation feasibility.
Experts in the field underscore the importance of these inquiries. Agricultural engineer Marshall Porterfield, of Purdue University, notes that cosmic radiation often induces random mutations—some potentially advantageous—and that characterising these changes is essential for long‑distance space agriculture.
Genoplant’s CEO, Petra Knaus, emphasises that practical space cultivation will likely require sealed, controlled environments before the deployment of more advanced growth systems. The institute is already planning a follow‑up mission slated for 2027, featuring an extended‐duration plant incubation capsule.
Should significant results emerge, the Martian Grow project hopes to shift public perception of cannabis beyond its recreational image and toward recognising its scientific and ecological value—especially in the context of long‑term extraterrestrial habitation.
This mission marks a groundbreaking milestone in understanding how essential crops like cannabis might adapt—and thrive—in the harsh environments beyond Earth. Stay tuned for future updates as research progresses.
Dabbin-Dad Newsroom