DUPONT LAUNCHES SOYBEANS INTO SPACE First Soybeans Grown in Space Will Focus on Discovering Potential Future Benefits

In the first space experiment of its kind, DuPont announced late last month in the US that it will begin space exploration research designed to discover new scientific information about one of the most consumed crops in the world today - soybeans.

In the first space experiment of its kind, DuPont announced late last month in the US that it will begin space exploration research designed to discover new scientific information about one of the most consumed crops in the world today - soybeans.

Continuing its extensive history with NASA, DuPont has partnered with the Wisconsin Center for Space Automation and Robotics (WCSAR) -- a NASA Commercial Space Center at the University of Wisconsin-Madison -- to conduct an unprecedented exploration of soybean development by launching soybean plants into space during NASAs space shuttle flight last May 30.

The experiment will determine whether plants grow differently in space and study the effects of gravity on plant growth and development. The soybeans-in-space" launch is the first initiative to grow a complete soybean crop in space -- from planting the seed to harvesting the grain.

This is an incredible scientific opportunity for us and our partners," said Tom Corbin, DuPont researcher on the project. Studying the effects of soybean plants grown in space will help us expand our knowledge of soybeans and facilitate continued improvement of soybean germplasm for farmers."

DuPont subsidiary, Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., and WCSAR will study the harvested seed from soybean plants to find out if they have improved oil, protein, carbohydrates or secondary metabolites that could benefit farmers and consumers.

During the 70-day experiment, the soybean plants placed in a specialized tray within a growth chamber developed by WCSAR will germinate, grow and produce seeds. Scientists will monitor the process via video and data sent from the space station.

The plants and harvested grain will be returned to Earth this summer by the Space Shuttle Atlantis. Seeds exhibiting unique and desirable qualities will be planted by Pioneer researchers to determine if the traits can be inherited in future generations. Pioneer will identify the genetics of those traits and use that information to further improve the soybeans efficiency and profitability for farmers.

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

DuPont, which marks its 200th anniversary in July, has a long history of space initiatives, dating back to NASAs origination 33 years ago. For example, when Neil Armstrong walked on the moon in 1969, he wore 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.