Australian scientists are aiming to grow plants on the Moon by 2025 in a new mission unveiled on Friday that they said could help pave the way for a future colony.
Plant biologist Brett Williams, from the Queensland University of Technology, said seeds would be carried by the Beresheet 2 spacecraft — a private Israeli Moon mission.
They would be watered inside the sealed chamber after landing and monitored for signs of germination and growth.
Plants will be chosen based on how well they cope in extreme conditions, and how quickly they germinate, he said.
One likely choice is an Australian "resurrection grass" that can survive without water in a dormant state.
"The project is an early step towards growing plants for food, medicine and oxygen production, which are all crucial to establishing human life on the Moon," the researchers said.
Caitlin Byrt, an associate professor from the Australian National University in Canberra, said the research was also relevant to food security fears driven by climate change.
"If you can create a system for growing plants on the moon, then you can create a system for growing food in some of the most challenging environments on Earth," Ms Byrt said in a statement.
The Lunaria One organisation is running the project, which involves scientists from Australia and Israel.
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Director: Jesse Armstrong
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Director: Kaouther Ben Hania
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About Seez
Company name/date started: Seez, set up in September 2015 and the app was released in August 2017
Founder/CEO name(s): Tarek Kabrit, co-founder and chief executive, and Andrew Kabrit, co-founder and chief operating officer
Based in: Dubai, with operations also in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Lebanon
Sector: Search engine for car buying, selling and leasing
Size: (employees/revenue): 11; undisclosed
Stage of funding: $1.8 million in seed funding; followed by another $1.5m bridge round - in the process of closing Series A
Investors: Wamda Capital, B&Y and Phoenician Funds
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Label: Warner Records
Number of tracks: 11
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Our family matters legal consultant
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Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
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