As part of the experiment seeds produced by Wronkowski and Saaten-Union were used and were sent flying into the stratosphere. A special balloon facilitating conducting environmental tests was launched from the WUT airport located in Sierakowo near Przasnysz. ‘During the flight seed samples were subjected to low temperatures and pressure and increased radiation. We also took the opportunity to test low-frequency radio noise and the flight mechanics of very long flying structures, that is a vertical line antenna for very low frequencies,’ says Tomasz A. Miś, WUT doctoral student at the Faculty of Electronics and Information Technology.

Two transmitters placed in the upper and lower part of the flying kit were used as navigation devices. The flight of a stratospheric balloon was recorded thanks to two types of cameras, including a 360-degree one. The mission was not easy since the balloon had to face adverse atmospheric conditions and a strong storm front. Despite the difficulties, the balloon managed to reach the height of 20.22 km, and the flight ended with a successful landing near a village of Maków in the Podlasie region.

Currently, tests of seed samples, which will allow the researchers to evaluate the impact of specific stratospheric conditions on the seeds and the behaviour of silver polymer coating the grain, are underway in specialist laboratories. The experiment organisers emphasise that it aims mainly to provoke a discussion on climate change, especially drought and periodic water shortages. That is why SU Liborius triticale was chosen as it performs well in weak soils with periodic water shortages.

The First Agricultural Space Mission is an experiment coordinated by companies Wronkowski, Syngenta Polska, Saaten-Union Polska, Aegilops, and the Warsaw University of Technology.