That seed is egusi (melon), and now, it’s preparing for a journey no one ever imagined, into space.

In what is nothing short of a historic moment, egusi seeds will soon leave the red soil of Nigeria behind to soar into the cosmos, bound for the International Space Station (ISS).

It’s the first time any object from Nigeria will enter Earth’s orbit and the first time a crop native to West Africa will make the voyage beyond our atmosphere.

At the heart of this groundbreaking mission is Dr. Temidayo Oniosun, a Nigerian space scientist and entrepreneur with a vision: to blend cultural heritage with cutting-edge science.

In partnership with Jaguar Space and The Karman Project, he’s leading a unique research initiative titled:
“Emerging Space Nations: Space for Agriculture and Agriculture for Space.”

Alongside egusi, three other culturally significant crops, Egyptian cotton, Armenian pomegranate, and Pakistani wheat, will be launched, each symbolizing a piece of home for their countries of origin. But this isn’t just a symbolic gesture. The mission aims to study how these traditional seeds respond to microgravity, cosmic radiation, and the unique environment of space.

Why? Because if humanity is to explore deeper into space, to the Moon, to Mars, and beyond, we need to learn how to grow food sustainably out there. And that means understanding how the seeds that nourish us here on Earth behave in the weightless vastness above.

For Nigeria, the choice of egusi was deliberate, and powerful. This tiny seed isn’t just a food staple; it represents resilience, nutrition, and community. It supports rural livelihoods, fuels local economies, and features in countless family recipes. It’s also packed with protein, healthy fats, and vital nutrients, qualities that could make it ideal for future space farming.

“This mission is about more than science,” says Dr. Oniosun. “It’s about honoring our roots while pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. It’s about saying Nigeria belongs in space, not just as an observer, but as a contributor.”

As the countdown to launch begins, egusi is no longer just a seed from West Africa. It’s a symbol of possibility, one that connects village farmers in Oyo with global scientists in orbit, and the rich traditions of the past with the limitless future of space.

Nigeria is not just watching the stars, we’re sending our story among them.

Project Partners:

• Jaguar Space (mission integrator and scientific coordinator)
• The Karman Project (international leadership and outreach)
• Temidayo Oniosun (Principal Investigator, Nigeria)

Current Mission Timeline:

• Crew-11 Launch: July 31, 12:09 PM (Florida-local time) S. Eastern Daylight Time
• Crew-11 Dock to ISS: August 2, 3:00 PM US Eastern Time
• Crew-10 Undock from ISS: August 5 or 6 (Time TBD)
• Crew-10 Splashdown (Earth return): Expected August 6 or 7

Rocket Details:

• Location: Cape Canaveral / Kennedy Space Center, Florida, United States
• Vehicle: Falcon 9 rocket
• Provider: SpaceX

The epoch-making evet took place at the NewSpace Africa Conference, gathering dignitaries worldwide, including ministers and ambassadors from various countries.

At the event, Dr. Valanathan Munsami, former CEO of SANSA and Chair of the AU Space Working Group, highlighted Africa’s unique opportunity to lead in the global space sector through unity, innovation, and sustainable development, giving some historical context to the creation of the African Space Policy and Strategy.

Furthermore, the ceremony featured goodwill messages from top representatives of global space institutions, including Marco Ferrazzani, director of Internal Services, European Space Agency (ESA), Karen Feldstein, Associate Administrator for International and Interagency Relations, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), H.E. Salem Butti Salem Al Qubaisi, Director General, UAE Space Agency, Jean-Marc Astorg, Director of Strategy, Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales – CNES, Mr. KIKUCHI Koichi, the Deputy Director of International Relations and Research Department, JAXA (Japan), Dr Driss El-Hadani, Deputy Director, UNOOSA, Mr. Luca Maria Salamone, Director General of the Italian Space Agency, and others, reaffirming international support for Africa’s space ambitions.

African national heads of space agencies from Gabon, Kenya, Nigeria, Angola, and Egypt, representing Central, East, West, North, and Southern Africa, delivered remarks showcasing regional commitments to collaborative space development.

A significant highlight of the event was the official unveiling of the African Space Agency logo and the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between AfSA and the European Space Agency, during which the ESA gave a goodwill gift of the ESA flag that had been to space to the African Space Agency, marking the beginning of deeper institutional cooperation.

At the inaugural event, high-level addresses from H.E. Mr. Mário Augusto da Silva Oliveira, Minister of Telecommunications, Information Technology, and Social Communication, Angola, Dr. Badr Abdelatty, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Immigration and Egyptian Affairs, and H.E, Mr Moses Vilakati – Commissioner, Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment (ARBE) Department, AUC, reinforced the political will driving Africa’s space future. H.E. Dr. Tidiane Ouattara, President of the Council of the African Space Council, delivered the welcome address, while H.E. Ayman Ashour, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Egypt, representing H.E. Prof. Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, Prime Minister of Egypt, delivered the keynote, emphasising the strategic importance of space to Africa’s development trajectory and the symbolism of the Egypt hosting the African Space Agency.

The inauguration, hosted by Dr Temidayo Oniosun, managing director of Space in Africa, concluded with a symbolic ribbon-cutting ceremony, officially declaring the African Space Agency building operational.

The event cemented Africa’s commitment to space sovereignty and continental integration and positioned AfSA as a central institution in Africa’s science, technology, and innovation future.