Melon seeds, widely known as ‘egusi’ among the Yoruba-speaking people of Nigeria, have made history by embarking on a space mission as part of an international research project on agricultural adaptability.
The initiative was championed by Temidayo Oniosun, founder and Managing Director of Space in Africa, in partnership with The Karman Project and Jaguar Space LLC.
In a post shared on Thursday, Oniosun revealed that the mission aims to explore how egusi responds to microgravity and its potential role in sustaining astronauts with space-grown food in future explorations.
Although the SpaceX Falcon 9 was initially scheduled to launch from Cape Canaveral, Florida on Thursday, the liftoff was delayed until Friday due to adverse weather conditions.
On Friday at 11:43 AM EDT, the rocket successfully launched, carrying egusi seeds sourced from Oyo State as part of a multinational agricultural experiment aboard NASA’s Crew-11 mission to the International Space Station (ISS).
This marks the first time any crop from Nigeria—or West Africa—is being sent into space.
The research is a key step toward building sustainable food systems that can support long-term space missions.
Oniosun explained that he selected egusi for this mission because of its strong cultural symbolism.
“I think personally, and, you know, this is a personal experience or personal story. I think that egusi is the most cultural dish in Nigeria,” he said in an interview with Channels TV.
“You know, everybody eats egusi. The Yorubas lay claim to egusi that it originated from them. Even the Igbos also, they do the same.
“They say, ‘Oh, you know, egusi is from Igbo land. So, a lot of people lay claim to its origin, and I don’t think there is a better dish that says, ‘See, I’m Nigerian,’ than egusi. Even people in the diaspora can connect to this.
“And it has also travelled way beyond Nigeria. If you go across West Africa, you know, people are eating egusi.”
Renowned for its versatility, egusi can be soaked, fermented, or sautéed, and is often used as a protein-rich alternative in soups and stews.
The data gathered from its performance in microgravity conditions could unlock advancements in seed preservation, crop durability, and innovative farming techniques for both extraterrestrial and terrestrial environments.
Due to its rich nutritional profile and resilience in harsh climates—including poor soil and drought conditions—egusi is already a strong candidate for agricultural solutions in extreme environments.