The Karman Project and Jaguar Space Unite to Launch World-First Cultural Payload to the ISS
Jaguar Space and The Karman Project have announced a joint mission to launch a world-first cultural payload to the International Space Station (ISS) in a pioneering initiative blending cultural heritage with scientific innovation. The project brings together four countries — Armenia, Egypt, Nigeria, and Pakistan — in a symbolic and scientific collaboration that will study the spaceflight response of seeds with deep national significance.
At the heart of the mission are four culturally important crops:
- Egyptian cotton
- Armenian pomegranate
- Nigerian egusi melon
- Pakistani wheat
Furthermore, these seeds will travel to the ISS for a multi-day exposure to microgravity, then return to Earth for further analysis and public engagement. The objective is to study their biological resilience and adaptability in extreme environments, insights crucial for long-duration space missions and Earth-bound challenges like climate change, food security, and agricultural sustainability.
Cultural Identity Meets Scientific Advancement
The project was born from a competitive selection process within The Karman Project’s international network, which spans over 70 countries. In addition, seed experiment proposals were submitted by Karman Community members and selected based on scientific merit, cultural relevance, and national significance.
Leading the national experiments are:
- Nelly Ben Hayoun-Stepanian (Armenia)
- Sara Sabry (Egypt)
- Dr Temidayo Oniosun (Nigeria)
- Mahhad Nayyer (Pakistan)
This mission also benefits from broader international participation, with contributions from space actors in seven additional countries, including the Maldives Space Research Organisation, which continues The Karman Project’s 2023 engagement with island nations exploring space-based climate solutions.
Partnership Rooted in Shared Vision
“Our organisations share not only a strong vision for the future, but a strong history, with Jaguar Space’s founder, Dr. Luis Zea, having been selected for the Karman Fellowship in 2023,” said Hannah Ashford, Managing Director of The Karman Project. “This mission reflects the action-oriented spirit of our Fellowship – empowering our community to lead impactful projects across borders and build a more inclusive space for the future.”
Reflecting on the importance of the mission, Dr Luis Zea, Founder of Jaguar Space, added: “Integrating crops native to emerging space nations is essential for building a sustainable human presence beyond Earth. These collaborations advance nutritional diversity, preserve cultural identity, and open new scientific frontiers. Jaguar Space is proud to enable this progress and support the next generation of global space explorers.”
Next Steps
The team is finalising the payloads for integration, and they are scheduling a launch to the ISS shortly. The mission marks a significant step toward democratising access to space research, promoting cross-cultural dialogue, and unlocking new knowledge at the intersection of science, identity, and sustainability.
The article was originally published on The Karman Project’s website on 29 May 2025. Read the original article here.