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For food yes but also for science. They are cool and calming to watch.

ORBITEC (now part of Sierra Space) developed and Techshot (Redwire) managed NASA’s  APH    https://science.nasa.gov/mission/advanced-plant-habitat/  APH seeks to further our understanding of plant biology and crop growth in space. The variety of experiments flown using the APH facility test the genetic and epigenetic effects of spaceflight, plant metabolism, factors leading to crop flavor, and the effectiveness of APH hardware to grow plants for human consumption in space. Experience gained cultivating crops with APH will inform deep space missions requiring more sustainable and nutritional food sources.

NASA APH proved that these automated studies have yielded key findings, confirming that spaceflight fundamentally alters plant biology: [1, 2]

• Genetic Reprogramming: Genetic studies (like the Plant Habitat-01 investigation) demonstrated that plants acclimate to microgravity by actively altering gene expression, particularly those related to stress, oxidative damage, and metabolism. [1, 2]
• Epigenetic Modification: Research confirms that spaceflight induces rapid, organ-specific epigenetic changes, such as DNA methylation (adding chemical tags to genes to turn them on or off). These mechanisms are how plants physiologically adapt to the unique stresses of space without mutating their underlying DNA. [1, 2]
• Transgenerational Memory: The Plant Habitat-03 experiment specifically proved that space-induced epigenetic markers can be passed from one generation to the next, helping subsequent offspring adapt faster to the spaceflight environment. [1, 2]

It has since been decommissioned. 

Sierra Space developed VEGGIE for food production and is developing Astro garden for food, environment control   https://www.sierraspace.com/space-technology/microgravity-environmental-systems/space-station-payloads/ 

Redwire developed 

https://rdw.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/redwire-PONDS-flysheet.pdf  The Redwire Passive Orbital Nutrient Delivery System (PONDS) was developed for flight in NASA’s Vegetable Production System

(Veggie) facility with collaboration from Tupperware Brands

Green House https://rdw.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/REDWIRE_Flysheet_Greenhouse_V1-0727.pdfMarkets  Agriculture,  Neutraceuticals,  Pharmaceuticals,  Biofuels

Redwire’s centrifuge has been used in plant research https://rdw.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/redwire-mvp-flysheet.pdf 

GreenLung https://www.linkedin.com/posts/redwire_its-aliveand-its-microalgae-take-activity-7390070372035096576-NRE9?utm_medium=ios_app&rcm=ACoAADw9mooBiq9wOVy5T7aJcmmpSVWTzEcEG5g&utm_source=social_share_video_v2&utm_campaign=copy_link 

https://rdw.com/newsroom/redwire-selected-by-nasa-to-facilitate-biotechnology-research-as-part-of-historic-international-human-spaceflight-mission/  Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), and the National Institute of Plant Genome Research (NIPGR), New Delhi will launch on Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) to the International Space Station (ISS).

The Space Microalgae investigation will analyze the impact of microgravity on the growth, metabolism, and genetic activity of three strains of edible microalgae, which researchers are assessing as a potential sustainable food source for long-duration space missions.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/RHpC-CHa3sA  Bioreactors for algae 

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/hG3jn6U6Jrc  APH

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949824426001527  Nutraceuticals, which are bioactive compounds that provide therapeutic or health benefits beyond basic nutritional value, have become an important focus in both scientific research and industrial development (Damián et al., 2022). This growing interest is driven by functional ingredients, which are naturally occurring compounds from botanical sources that offer specific physiological benefits. These include polyphenols, flavonoids, carotenoids, prebiotics, peptides, and bioactive lipids, which play important roles in developing advanced nutraceutical formulations (Fatima et al., 2025, AlAli et al., 2021, Puri et al., 2022).

Nutraceuticals Market Summary

The global nutraceuticals market size was estimated at USD 636.2 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 1151.5 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 7.7% from 2026 to 2033. The market growth is attributed to the increasing consumer awareness of preventative healthcare and the link between diet and well-being.

Key Market Trends & Insights

• Asia Pacific dominated the global nutraceuticals market with the largest revenue share of 38.9% in 2025.
• The nutraceuticals industry in China accounted for the largest market revenue share in the Asia Pacific in 2025.
• By product, the dietary supplements segment is anticipated to grow at the fastest CAGR during the forecast period.
• By application, the weight management & satiety application segment led the market with the largest revenue share of 16.2% in 2025.
• By distribution channel, the offline segment led the market with the largest revenue share of 78.4% in 2025.

Market Size & Forecast

• 2025 Market Size: USD 636.2 Billion
• 2033 Projected Market Size: USD 1151.5 Billion
• CAGR (2026-2033): 7.7%
• Europe: Largest market in 2025
• Asia Pacific: Largest Market in 2025

Biofuels Market Summary

The global biofuels market size was estimated at USD 99.53 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 207.87 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 11.3% from 2024 to 2030. The market growth is driven by the high demand for cleaner fuel and increasing governmental regulations for desulphurizing petroleum products. Biofuels are fuels derived from plants, animal waste, or algae.

Key Market Trends & Insights

• The biofuels market in North America dominated the global industry and accounted for the largest revenue share of over 33.0% in 2023.
• The U.S. biofuels market dominated the North America regional market and accounted for a share of over 96.32% in 2023.
• The biofuels market in India held a significant share of over 13.35% in 2023.
• Based on form, the liquid biofuel form segment accounted for the largest revenue share of over 43.0% in 2023.
• In terms of feedstock, the others segment dominated the global industry in 2023 and accounted for the maximum share of more than 47.0% of overall revenue.

Market Size & Forecast

• 2023 Market Size: USD 99.53 billion
• 2030 Projected Market Size: USD 207.87 billion
• CAGR (2024-2030): 11.3%
• North America: Largest market in 2023
• Asia Pacific: Fastest growing market

Not included in orbit, see Orbit Fab ceo  redwire video.  https://www.youtube.com/live/A9RKpHeQJZs?si=wUNL4khybvsU66us about 43 minutes mark. 

• Gross production value in Agriculture market is projected to amount to US$4.84tn in 2026. An annual growth rate of 3.82% is expected (CAGR 2026-2031), resulting in gross production value of US$5.84tn in 2031.

Agriculture one segment

Commercial Seeds Market Summary

The global commercial seeds market size was valued at USD 85.42 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 138.32 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 8.4% from 2025 to 2030. The ability of commercial seeds to optimize crop yield while reducing arable land is a major driver of this market.

Key Market Trends & Insights

• The North America commercial seeds market accounted for the largest global revenue share of 33.5% in 2024.
• The U.S. accounted for a dominant revenue share in the regional market in 2024.
• Based on product, the maize (corn) segment accounted for the largest revenue share of 35.9% in the global commercial seeds industry in 2024.
• Based on genetically modified seeds, the soybean segment accounted for a leading revenue share in the global market in 2024.

Market Size & Forecast

• 2024 Market Size: USD 85.42 Billion
• 2030 Projected Market Size: USD 138.32 Billion
• CAGR (2025-2030): 8.4%
• North America: Largest market in 2024

How many pharmaceuticals are plant-based?  Did you know that 25% of all pharmaceuticals come from plants? From cancer treatments to pain relief, plant-based compounds form the backbone of modern medicine. Conserving medicinal and aromatic plants supports the future of global human health.Feb 20, 2026 

Plant-based API Market Size To Reach $53.21 Billion By 2033

December 2025 | Report Format: Electronic (PDF)

Plant-based API Market Growth & Trends

The global plant-based API market size is estimated to reach USD 53.21 billion by 2033, registering to grow at a CAGR of 5.9% from 2025 to 2033, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. The growth of the plant based active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) market is attributable to the rising prevalence of chronic diseases and an increasing adoption of plant based products for development of medication owing to the high effectiveness associated with herbal products. For instance, taxol is found the most effective for cancer treatment., scopolamine is found to be effective for motion sickness and buprenorphine is best adopted for addiction treatments. These drugs are long being used for medicinal purposes in treatment of wide range of diseases.

A major driver for market growth is the enhancement of brain function due to the presence of secondary metabolites. Plant based API are widely used for modification of CNS functions. It is highly researched that most plant-based extracts and chemicals have greater efficacy in treating psychiatric disorders. Several extracts/phytochemicals are seen to provide promising results in treatment of various CNS disorders. However, the most dominant group of phytochemicals include alkaloids, terpenes, and phenolic compounds.

Final thoughts

This may or may not be on the schedule to the iss.  https://rdw.com/newsroom/redwire-to-develop-first-commercial-space-greenhouse-to-improve-crop-science-on-earth-and-support-future-space-exploration-missions/ 

https://www.deweyscientific.com/company/news/deweyredwire-to-launch-first-commercial-space-greenhouse-in-2023 

But with Starfall from SpaceX https://interestingengineering.com/space/starfall-in-orbit-manufacturing-test  and will work on Falcon 9 and Starship it should happen soon.  “The FAA’s documents do not provide any information regarding potential launch dates for the first Starfall missions. However, the agency does clearly state that Starfall would be a large-scale project if it is eventually greenlit and officially announced by SpaceX.”

And private space stations coming up it should be flying soon.

Plants, crystals, advanced materials, all should have some modifications due to microgravity, the only way to know for sure is to experiment and see for ourselves.

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