Rooibos in Space: South Africa’s Boldest Rooibos Journey Yet

About the Project

The Rooibos in Space project is an exciting, first-of-its-kind mission for South Africa, exploring how Rooibos seeds respond to the unique conditions of space. By sending Rooibos seeds on a journey beyond our atmosphere, researchers hope to unlock valuable insights into plant resilience, growth and the future of agriculture. The project also forms part of global research exploring which crops and plants may one day be grown off-planet.

Led by the South African Rooibos Council (SARC), the project aims to spark curiosity, inspire young minds and shine a spotlight on South African innovation. More than a science experiment, Rooibos in Space is about bringing science to life for learners, showing how agriculture, space science and sustainability intersect in exciting and unexpected ways.

In partnership with MaxIQ Space, the project is supported by the South African National Space Agency (SANSA), which promotes space science engagement and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) education outreach to make science more accessible, engaging and inspiring for learners across the country.

From launch to landing, the Rooibos seeds’ incredible space journey is captured in the info-graphic below, showing every stage of the mission. 

Want to explore it in more detail or share it with your school, classroom or community? Simply download the infographic for a closer look at Rooibos’ extraordinary adventure beyond Earth.