The UAE is to send the tree’s seeds to space as an experiment to see how the seeds react in space, as well their ability to absorb water in a weightless environment.
The project is also to see if potentially in the future, planting the seeds in space would be possible.
The seeds will be sent from Cape Canaveral in Florida on a Falcon 9 rocket, and will spend two months on board before reurning to earth.
Rashid Al Zaabi, project supervisor further explains the experiment. “We are experimenting on palm seeds as they are usually planted in circumstances similar to the martian environment, “says Zaabi.
“Palm trees are deeply rooted in the UAE’s heritage and are the oldest trees in the region. Should this experiment succeed, palm trees and the UAE name will be linked to great success in the space sector,” he continues.
The UAE is planning to build a human settlement on Mars by 2117. The UAE is currently working “Mars Scientific City” by replicating conditions in Mars down here on earth. The project is under construction and will be located near Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre in Dubai.
