The experiment is examining how spaceflight affects seed germination and plant development
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kobeza / iStock [Photo source]
Students in Ivye, Belarus, are growing tomatoes from seeds that travelled into space as part of the international project. Two groups of plants were cultivated under identical conditions: one from space-flown seeds and another from conventional seeds, reports The First News Channel (Belteleradiocompany), a partner of TV BRICS.
The pupils are monitoring the plants throughout the experiment, recording their development at different stages. According to biology teacher Inga Gushcha, the seeds that had been in space demonstrated a germination rate around 15 per cent higher than the winter seed samples.
"Plants grown from space seeds showed higher germination. This indicates that microgravity and cosmic radiation may have had a stimulating effect on the seeds," Inga Gushcha said. The students also compared the taste, aroma, texture and appearance of the tomatoes, with the space-grown fruit receiving higher scores in a popular vote.
The Belarusian seeds were sent into space as part of a joint scientific project involving schoolchildren from Belarus and Russia. In August 2025, the seeds were placed on the exterior of the Bion-M biological satellite, which carried out more than 30 experiments during its 30-day mission, according to BelTA, a partner of TV BRICS.
After returning to Earth, the tomato seeds were handed back to the participating schools for further research and cultivation. The project is designed to help scientists study how spaceflight conditions, including microgravity and cosmic radiation, affect seed germination and the subsequent development of plants.
The results of the experiment will be presented at scientific conferences. The project is expected to contribute to research into the adaptation of living organisms to spaceflight and the potential development of plant cultivation technologies for future space missions.
BRICS countries are also advancing innovative research in space and agriculture. Countries are developing new technologies to explore space environments and their practical applications.
China’s Shenzhou-23 crew has harvested the first batch of rice grown from seeds brought to the China Space Station, marking a new step in research into space agriculture and future food production beyond Earth. Global Times, a partner of TV BRICS, reports that the experiment is studying how prolonged exposure to microgravity affects the genetic stability and environmental adaptability of rice across generations.
The astronauts are cultivating two varieties of japonica rice, with researchers aiming to grow two consecutive generations in orbit. The harvested rice ears, seeds and plant samples will be returned to Earth for further analysis, helping scientists assess potential models for future space-based food production and long-duration missions.
According to African News Agency (ANA), a partner of TV BRICS, South Africa’s Rooibos in Space programme will send rooibos seeds to the International Space Station in October 2026 for several weeks of exposure to microgravity and space radiation. After returning to Earth, the seeds will be compared with control samples to assess germination, growth, resilience and yield, with students from seven schools in the Cederberg region taking part in the research.
Scientists are studying how microgravity and space radiation affect biological materials and advanced technologies.
The University of Chile has begun receiving the first data from experiments sent to the International Space Station to study technology and biology under microgravity and space radiation, as reported by El Ciudadano, a partner of TV BRICS. Over six months, the project will examine extremophile microorganisms, archaea and graphene samples, as well as test processors, lasers, light sources and optical systems, comparing the results with control samples on Earth.
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