CAPE TOWN – A South African scientific initiative linking agriculture and space research has been launched with the Rooibos in Space programme.
In a first for the country, rooibos seeds will be sent to the International Space Station (ISS), combining space-based plant science with hands-on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education.
The launch took place today, Thursday 16 July 2026, at the Parklands University Innovation Center in Cape Town and was attended by representatives from government, academia, education, agriculture and the emerging space economy.
The initiative was conceived by the South African Rooibos Council (SARC) and is being implemented in collaboration with MaxIQ Space with support from the South African National Space Agency (SANSA).
It connects rooibos with the growing international focus on plant biology in space and the development of sustainable agricultural systems beyond Earth.
This project uses rooibos, an indigenous plant native to South Africa, to engage learners in cutting-edge space science as they explore the potential role of plants in future space exploration and living systems beyond Earth.
As part of the program, rooibos seeds will be launched to the ISS in October, where they will be exposed to microgravity and cosmic radiation for several weeks before returning to Earth.
Upon return, they will be planted side-by-side with control seeds and comparative studies will be conducted to examine germination, growth, resilience and yield.
The experiment will be carried out by learners from seven schools in the Cederberg region, the birthplace of rooibos.
Learners will work with a local rooibos farm to collect and analyze data as part of a structured scientific investigation.
A parallel experiment at Parklands University will provide additional comparative data.
In recent years, future long-term exploration missions and programs, such as NASA's Artemis mission, have renewed global emphasis on plant research in space.
The International Space Agency is increasingly prioritizing the development of self-sustaining life support systems for future deep space travel, including growing crops that can produce food, support oxygen production, and contribute to crew health during long-duration missions.
In this context, rooibos joins the growing body of botanical research carried out in space.
Experiments on the ISS have demonstrated that crops such as lettuce can grow in microgravity, and studies on peas and soybeans have provided insight into how plants respond to changes in gravity and environmental stressors.
These discoveries will contribute to the advancement of both future space-based food systems and the resilience of agriculture on Earth.
South African Rooibos Council (SARC) director Dawee de Villiers said the project reflected the industry's focus on innovation, education and applied research.
“Rooibos has long been part of South Africa's agricultural heritage.
“This project places it within a broader scientific context at the intersection of plant biology, space research, and education.
“This also reflects the importance of investing in the scientific literacy and skills development of the next generation of researchers and innovators.”
Beyond the science component, participating schools will engage in expanded STEM education programs that introduce learners to space science, plant biology, and sustainable agriculture.
The program is tailored to curriculum outcomes and designed to connect classroom learning with real-world scientific applications.
Judi Sandrock of MaxIQ Space said the initiative aims to enhance access to authentic science learning experiences.
“The value of this project is to expose learners to the actual research process associated with space science,” Sandrock said.
“It provides a structured opportunity for scientific thinking, data analysis skills, and understanding how experiments work in practice.”
To widen national participation, learners across South Africa will be invited to design an official Rooibos in Space Mission patch from July to August, extending participation beyond participating schools.
This project is in line with South Africa's growing involvement in space science and innovation. Bertram Rolliston, Deputy Director-General for Curriculum and Assessment Management at the Western Cape Education Department, spoke at the launch and noted the importance of cross-sectoral partnerships in expanding access to STEM opportunities.
He emphasized the role of efforts to connect education, agriculture and emerging scientific fields in making science more accessible to learners.
The scientific credibility of this project is further supported by SANSA.
Tandir Buntu, head of SANSA's Science Engagement Unit in Hermanus, said space science is increasingly integrated into everyday applications and continues to expand opportunities for young people to enter STEM fields.
“Space science is becoming increasingly integrated into fields that impact everyday life, from communications to environmental monitoring,” Buntu said.
“Such initiatives help raise awareness of the skills needed for future participation in the sector, but are also consistent with national priorities for skills development, innovation capacity and strengthening South Africa's position in emerging scientific fields.
“These further emphasize the importance of collaboration between industry, government, academia and the scientific sector in building a strong pipeline of future scientists, engineers and researchers,” he said.
Adding a personal perspective, Dr Kelebogile Gasilawe, a South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO) postdoctoral fellow at the University of Cape Town (UCT) whose research focuses on X-ray binaries, shared his journey from humble beginnings in the Kimberley to his current role in cutting-edge astrophysics, highlighting the importance of curiosity and tenacity in a scientific career.
She also highlighted the role of institutions such as MeerKAT in advancing South Africa's contribution to global astronomy research and encouraged learners to remain open to diverse paths within STEM fields.
In closing the event, organizers noted that public participation will continue beyond the launch phase as the project progresses toward the October ISS flight.
The public can follow Rooibos' journey in space through updates, learner activities, and mission milestones.
Latest information: www.saroibos.co.za
