Seeds of seabuckthorn and Himalayan buckwheat cultivated in the high-altitude desert of Ladakh are now part of a groundbreaking scientific experiment aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The initiative is being led by Bengaluru-based space startup Protoplanet, in collaboration with NASA’s Crew-11 mission.

These native seeds, known for their resilience in extreme environments, are being studied to understand how plants can grow and adapt in microgravity. The findings could be key to future long-duration space missions and off-Earth agriculture, including potential crop cultivation on the Moon or Mars.

By using seeds from Ladakh — a region that closely mirrors some of the harshest extraterrestrial conditions — researchers hope to draw parallels between survival in Earth’s toughest climates and the challenges of space farming.

This marks a significant moment for Indian space research, combining indigenous biodiversity with international collaboration to explore the future of food in space.