Research conducted by three cadets from the U.S. Air Force Academy’s Class of 2024 will be sent to space this summer aboard the Polaris Dawn mission. The experiments will contribute to our understanding of plant growth in space and will be followed by a subsequent experiment on the International Space Station in August. These experiments will take place within the Space Optimized Plant Habitat In Array (SOPHIA), a chamber designed by the Academy, allowing researchers to study the growth responses of Arabidopsis thaliana, also known as Thale cress, in microgravity conditions.
The study conducted by USAFA aims to improve our knowledge of plant physiology in various orbital environments, with the potential to enhance crop production during long space missions. According to Brig. Gen. Linell Letendre, Dean of Faculty, these experiments exemplify the Academy’s commitment to high-impact experiential learning. Faculty, staff, and cadets from different academic disciplines collaborated to tackle a real-world challenge, demonstrating their dedication to reaching new frontiers. Letendre expressed pride in the team’s achievements and anticipation for their future endeavors.
Cadets First Class Jacqueline Kelly, Abigail Ryan, and Jordyn Wagner spearheaded the research conducted by the Class of 2024 at USAFA. Assisting them in their research is Cadet Second Class Jordan Moore from the Class of 2025. Prior to their involvement, Second Lieutenants Caroline Harshbarger and Madison Martin from the Class of 2023 made significant contributions to the research efforts.