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DuPont

Contact:
Anthony Farina, anthony.r.farina{at}usa.dupont.com, 302-774-4114

June 10, 2003

First Soybeans Grown in Space Similar to Earth-Grown Crops

DuPont Research Unveils Future Benefits in Crop Production, Space
Exploration

WILMINGTON, Del. -- In unprecedented space research, DuPont
scientists have discovered that soybeans grown in space are similar
to earth-grown crops -- unleashing the ability to sustainably grow
vegetation to support long-term human presence in space. Soybeans are
one of the most consumed crops in the world today. 

During a DuPont research mission that concluded with the return of
Space Shuttle Atlantis in October, soybean seeds planted and nurtured
by DuPont scientists germinated, developed into plants, flowered, and
produced new seedpods in space aboard the International Space
Station. The 97-day growth research initiative was the first ever to
complete a major crop growth cycle in space -- from planting seeds to
growing new seeds. 

With 83 space-grown soybean seeds on earth since October, DuPont
conducted several analytical studies on the harvested seeds. The
space-grown seeds were manually split -- with one part of the seed
sowed to grow and the other half grounded to examine its biological
characteristics. The space-grown seeds and their subsequent plants
were compared to a variety of independent earth-grown soybean seeds
and plants. After several months of analysis, DuPont researchers
discovered that the space-grown soybeans -- when compared to
earth-grown soybeans -- were similar in physical and biological
characteristics, developmental rate, morphology, and seed yields.
Scientists, who will continue to monitor the initiative, noted the
space-grown seeds were higher in sugar content, but lower in oil and
amino acid content, presumably due to the higher carbon dioxide
levels on the International Space Station. 

"This clearly demonstrates soybeans can be grown as a crop in space
to provide both food and serve as an atmospheric scrubber for
long-term space travel," said Dr. Tom Corbin, DuPont lead researcher
on the initiative. "This project was a great success. When we
started, we were unsure if the seeds would even remain planted in
space without any gravity, let alone grow. As it turned out, the
project was the first-ever to complete a major crop growth cycle in
space -- from planting seeds to growing new seeds. It was also the
first major crop grown on the International Space Station. Studying
the effects of soybean plants grown in space has expanded our
knowledge of soybeans and facilitated continued improvement of
soybean seeds for farmers." 

The soybeans returned to earth in October aboard the Atlantis. The
prior June, DuPont subsidiary Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc.,
with the Wisconsin Center for Space Automation and Robotics
(WCSAR) -- a NASA Commercial Space Center at the University of
Wisconsin-Madison -- launched the soybean seed experiment on Space
Shuttle Endeavour. As part of the research mission, Pioneer® brand
soybean seeds grew in a specialized enclosed and environmentally
controlled growth chamber developed by WCSAR. Pioneer and WCSAR
scientists monitored the soybeans' growth daily and provided
adjustments to facilitate growth. Through video monitoring and data
telemetry sent from the International Space Station, scientists also
examined the effects of zero-gravity and other elements in space
regarding plant growth.

According to the United Soybean Board, soybeans are the largest
single source of protein meal and vegetable oil in the human diet.
Domestically, soybeans provide 80 percent of the edible consumption
of fats and oils in the United States. In 2000, 54 percent of the
world's soybean trade originated from the United States with soybean
and product exports totaling more than $6.6 billion. The world's
largest seed company, Pioneer is also the brand leader in soybeans
with more than 100 product varieties on the market.

"This was an incredible scientific opportunity for us and our
partners," Corbin said. "As a science company, we know that future
research opportunities may come from totally different venues and
needs as we look ahead. The discovery process often requires
exploring unprecedented avenues to unleash the next wave of
innovation, discovering new and meaningful innovation wherever it
is."
 
DuPont has a rich tradition of space exploration initiatives, dating
to NASA's origination 33 years ago. For example, when Neil Armstrong
walked on the moon in 1969, his spacesuit included 25 separate
layers -- 23 of those layers were DuPont materials. In 1984, Pioneer
corn seeds were on board a Challenger shuttle launch. The seeds,
which were not planted while in space, were used in science-based
initiatives after returning to Earth. 

WCSAR makes space available to industry in the interest of
development and commercialization of new products and processes. It
provides controlled environment technologies and facilities, plant
genetic transformation technologies, enhanced biosynthesis
technologies, as well as robotic and automated technologies.

Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., a subsidiary of DuPont, is the
world's leading source of customized solutions for farmers, livestock
producers and grain and oilseed processors. With headquarters in Des
Moines, Iowa, Pioneer provides access to advanced plant genetics,
crop protection solutions and quality crop systems to customers in
nearly 70 countries. 

DuPont is a science company. Founded in 1802, DuPont puts science to
work by solving problems and creating solutions that make people's
lives better, safer and easier. Operating in more than 70 countries,
the company offers a wide range of products and services to markets
including agriculture, nutrition, electronics, communications, safety
and protection, home and construction, transportation and apparel.

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