Starbase Brewing & Jaguar Space Launch MicroBrew-1 to ISS

Jaguar Space to send Seeds from 11 Countries to Space

Cape Canaveral, FL, USA – July 29, 2025 — Jaguar Space, the bioastronautics consulting and access-to-space firm, today announces that the “Emerging Space Nation’s Space for Agriculture & Agriculture for Space” payload—a unique, internationally sourced collection of seeds—is scheduled to launch to the International Space Station aboard NASA’s Crew‑11 mission on July 31, 2025. The Falcon 9 rocket will lift off from Kennedy Space Center, with docking at the ISS expected in early August.

The World Seeds payload brings together a globally diverse collection of plant species contributed by research institutions and space organizations across eleven countries. From Nigeria, the payload includes okro, cowpea, sorghum, groundnut, amaranth, maize, and egusi melon—crops central to local diets and economies. Argentina has contributed peanut seeds, while Pakistan provides wheat, and Egypt sends its iconic Egyptian cotton. Armenia adds pomegranate seeds, representing both cultural heritage and climate resilience.

India contributes sea buckthorn and Himalayan tartary, nutrient-rich plants native to high-altitude regions. From Guatemala, two varieties of maize—Zea mays and the wild species Zea luxurians—highlight the region’s rich agricultural ancestry since the Maya and before. Costa Rica is flying pest-resistant strains of sweet pepper and tomato developed at the Universidad de Costa Rica. Brazil, in partnership with the University of Florida, USA, includes a selection of native orchids, perennial grass (Paspalum notatum), and strawberries. Representing coastal ecosystems, Maldives is studying the mangrove species Avicennia marina, vital for climate adaptation and shoreline protection. The seeds from Nigeria, Armenia, Pakistan, and Egypt were chosen by the The Karman Project, headquartered in Berlin, Germany.

This mission underscores Jaguar Space’s commitment to international collaboration. As the initiative’s lead, Jaguar Space is enabling researchers, educators, and think tanks from across Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America to participate in spaceflight research.

“Beyond its scientific potential to advance research on climate resilience and global food security, the World Seeds payload represents a meaningful step toward ensuring that, as humanity becomes a spacefaring civilization, the millennia-old knowledge, biodiversity, and cultural heritage of communities around the world are carried forward as an essential part of that journey,” said Dr. Luis Zea, Founder of Jaguar Space.

Mission: NASA Crew‑11 (Expedition 73/74)

Currently scheduled launch date/time: 12:09 p.m. EDT, July 31, 2025

“Emerging Space Nation’s Space for Agriculture & Agriculture or Space” Payload patch.

Institutions Involved

Argentinian Space Agency (CONAE), The Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa),The University of Florida, Universidad de Costa Rica, India’s Protoplanet, the Maldives Space Research Organization (MSRO), Guatemala’s National Secretariat of Science and Technology (SENACYT) and Guatemalan Institute of Agricultural Science and Technology (ICTA), the Nigerian Space Agency (NASRDA), The Karman Project, The SETI Institute, Deep Space Initiative, and Space in Africa.

About Jaguar Space
Jaguar Space is a bioastronautics and access-to-space firm, helping customers turn space into a competitive advantage. With deep expertise in spaceflight research, international collaboration, and commercial strategy, Jaguar Space supports clients across government, academia, and industry in navigating and thriving within the global space economy.

Media Contact: contact@jaguarspace.net

OASIS Mars Agriculture Payload Launching to ISS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE.

EXPERIMENT TOWARDS TURNING MARTIAN REGOLITH INTO SOIL LAUNCHING TO ISS THIS THURSDAY

Cape Canaveral, FL, USA – July 29, 2025 — Jaguar Space, the bioastronautics consulting and access-to-space firm, today announces that the OASIS (Optimizing Agriculture in Simulated Interplanetary Soils) payload is scheduled to launch to the International Space Station aboard NASA's Crew‑11 mission on July 31, 2025. The Falcon 9 rocket will lift off from Kennedy Space Center, with docking at the ISS expected in early August.

The OASIS experiment, led by researchers at Texas A&M AgriLife with support from Starbase Brewing, represents a groundbreaking investigation into sustainable agriculture for future Mars missions, testing how barley (Hordeum vulgare) grows in sterilized Martian regolith simulant enhanced with recycled brewing byproducts and a selected microbial consortium. This novel approach addresses critical challenges for long-term human space exploration by examining plant-microbe-mineral interactions in microgravity conditions.

The experiment will germinate barley seeds in sterilized JSC-Mars-1, a Martian regolith simulant, augmented with recycled brewing byproducts to improve soil fertility and structure. Microbes were also introduced to facilitate nutrient transformation and organic matter breakdown, simulating the complex biological processes essential for sustainable agriculture on Mars.

To assess how barley leverages the soil environment in microgravity, researchers will measure plant nutrition and morphology, analyze recruitment and communication with microorganisms in the rhizosphere using ultra-high resolution mass spectroscopy (FT-ICR-MS), and evaluate metabolic function of microorganisms through sequencing. The study will also monitor ecological indicators including greenhouse gases and other volatile organic compounds, comparing microgravity-grown plants to Earth-based controls.

The OASIS experiment specifically tests the hypothesis that the breakdown of soil organic matter, nutritional reliance on the soil environment, and regulation of greenhouse gases will be altered in microgravity compared to terrestrial conditions. The research aims to evaluate the use of Martian regolith to support sustainable plant growth in reduced gravity conditions, potentially paving the way for sustainable agricultural practices in future Martian colonies.

Mission: NASA Crew‑11 (Expedition 73/74)
Currently scheduled launch date/time: 12:09 p.m. EDT, July 31, 2025

Project Partnership
The OASIS experiment represents a unique collaboration between academic research, commercial innovation, and spaceflight expertise:

Texas A&M AgriLife leads the experimental design, execution, and analysis, with Dr. Julie A. Howe, Dr. A. Peyton Smith, Harrison Coker and Caleb Shackelford directing the research and data analysis efforts.

Starbase Brewing, with CEO Nate Argroves, supports the projects and provides essential brewing byproducts that serve as soil enhancement materials, while offering expertise in fermentation processes relevant to the experimental design.

Jaguar Space provides access to space, spaceflight design and implementation, and coordinating with NASA and SpaceX to enable the experiment's execution aboard the International Space Station.

About Jaguar Space

Media Contact: contact@jaguarspace.net

Argentinian Space Agency and Jaguar Space sign MOU

For Space-Based Agricultural Research

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Colorado, USA and Buenos Aires, Argentina – July 22, 2025

Argentina’s CONAE and Jaguar Space Partner to Expand Agricultural Research into Orbit

Buenos Aires, Argentina / Colorado, USA – July 22, 2025 — The Comisión Nacional de Actividades Espaciales (CONAE) and Jaguar Space have announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding to explore the potential of Argentine crops in space-based research.

The collaboration will focus on native species such as peanuts and potatoes—cornerstones of Argentina’s agricultural sector and culinary identity. This partnership represents a shared commitment to innovation and sustainability, connecting Earth-based expertise with orbital research platforms.

Jaguar Space continues to support emerging space nations in making meaningful contributions to global scientific advancement.

As part of an ongoing experiment, this initiative will examine how the stresses of space—especially microgravity—impact key biological processes in plants. By including culturally important crops from Argentina, the study aims to expand our knowledge of agricultural resilience and long-term food production in space.

Integrating crops native to emerging space nations is essential for building a future of sustainable human presence beyond Earth. These collaborations advance nutritional diversity, preserve cultural identity, and create new scientific pathways. Jaguar Space takes pride in enabling this progress and empowering the next generation of scientists and explorers across emerging space nations.

For more information on the collaboration or media inquiries, please contact: contact@JaguarSpace.net.

About Jaguar Space
Jaguar Space is a bioastronautics and business consulting firm dedicated to advancing science and commerce in space. The company leverages a unique combination of expertise in space science, engineering, project management, cross-cultural affairs, and business development to help its customers reach their goals faster and more effectively.

Space in Africa and Jaguar Space sign MOU

For access to ISS for African agricultural researchers

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Lagos, Nigeria and Colorado, USA, June 12, 2025

Jaguar Space and Space in Africa Launch Partnership to Advance Space-Based Agricultural Research and Representation for Emerging Space Nations

LAGOS, NIGERIA & COLORADO, USA — June 12, 2025 — Jaguar Space, LLC, a space science company based in the United States, and Space in Africa, the premier source of analytics for the African space industry, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to collaborate on a groundbreaking initiative: bringing African crops and agricultural research into low Earth orbit (LEO) as part of broader efforts to integrate emerging space nations into the global space ecosystem.

The agreement provides a framework for mutual support in developing space-based agricultural experiments using African seeds, selected for their cultural, economic, and ecological importance.

The research aims to assess the suitability of underrepresented plant species for nutritional and functional roles in long-duration human spaceflight. It will also interrogate the impacts of the unique stress of microgravity to seeds and how this may shed light into applications for improving crop resilience, seed storage, and ecosystem sustainability on Earth.

The mission reflects both organizations' commitment to democratizing access to space while addressing pressing challenges here on Earth.

For more information on the collaboration or media inquiries, please contact: contact@JaguarSpace.net.

About Space in Africa
Space in Africa is the leading provider of market intelligence, consulting, and media services for the African space and satellite industry. Based in Lagos, Nigeria, the organization tracks and analyzes the development of space programs, commercial ventures, and policy trends across the continent. Through its research, reports, and strategic partnerships, Space in Africa supports governments, academic institutions, and private companies in leveraging space technology for sustainable development. With a focus on accessibility, representation, and innovation, Space in Africa is committed to positioning Africa as a key player in the global space economy. Learn more at www.spaceinafrica.com

Nigerian Space Agency (NASRDA) & Jaguar Space sign MOU

For climate-resilient space-based agricultural research

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Abuja, Nigeria and Colorado, USA, June 12, 2025

Nigerian National Space Research & Development Agency (NASRDA) and Jaguar Space Launch Strategic Collaboration for Agricultural Research in Space

Abuja, Nigeria and Colorado, USA, June 12, 2025 — In a landmark agreement, the Nigerian National Space Research & Development Agency (NASRDA) and Jaguar Space have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding to collaborate on space-focused agricultural research.

This initiative will explore key Nigerian crops including maize, cowpea beans, groundnut, sorghum, okro, and amaranth—species that are vital not only to Nigeria’s food systems but also to its cultural legacy. The collaboration seeks to explore how research in microgravity may offer fresh insights into these plants, contributing to long-term strategies for food security and sustainability.

Jaguar Space is committed to supporting Nigeria’s efforts to enter and thrive in the domain of space science and agricultural innovation, fostering a future where Nigerian crops play a meaningful role in humanity’s expansion beyond Earth. As part of a broader investigation, this partnership will examine how unique spaceflight conditions might influence plant development at the molecular level. The findings are expected to inform future strategies for space-based food systems and provide new tools for resilient agriculture in climate-stressed environments.

For more information on the collaboration or media inquiries, please contact: contact@JaguarSpace.net.

About NASRDA

The National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) is Nigeria’s premier institution for space science, technology, and innovation. Established in 1999 and under the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, NASRDA leads Nigeria’s efforts in harnessing space-based solutions to address national development challenges in areas such as agriculture, disaster management, communication, education, and environmental monitoring.

NASRDA has successfully launched several satellites into orbit, including NigeriaSat-1, NigeriaSat-2, and NigComSat-1R; and continues to advance space research and applications to improve the quality of life for Nigerians. Through its various research centers and partnerships, the agency promotes capacity building, space education, and international collaboration to drive innovation and socio-economic development. A champion of Africa’s participation in the global space ecosystem, NASRDA plays a strategic role in regional and international initiatives.

The agency is committed to expanding Nigeria’s footprint in the space domain by integrating local expertise, scientific research, and global partnerships to solve pressing developmental issues. As part of its long-term vision, NASRDA actively explores emerging frontiers; including life sciences, Earth observation, and climate resilience technologies to ensure Nigeria remains a relevant and forward-looking actor in the space sector.

The Maldives' MSRO and Jaguar Space sign MOU

For space-based research on marine ecosystems

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Malé, The Republic of Maldives and Colorado, USA, June 5, 2025

Maldives Space Research Organisation and Jaguar Space to Advance Research on Coastal Ecosystems in Space

Malé, The Republic of Maldives and Colorado, USA, June 5, 2025 — In a significant step toward scientific collaboration, Jaguar Space and the Maldives Space Research Organisation have signed an MOU focused on exploring the interface of marine ecosystems and space-based research.

The initiative will investigate key coastal and mangrove species such as Rhizophora, Bruguiera, Avicennia, and others that are foundational to the Maldives’ fragile and vital ecosystems. These species not only represent ecological importance but also form a core part of Maldivian environmental heritage. Jaguar Space will provide expertise and guidance to open opportunities for Maldivian researchers in the emerging domain of space for ecological and agricultural research.

As part of a coordinated research effort, this collaboration will explore how exposure to spaceflight impacts plant development and adaptation, especially in ecologically significant species. These insights could drive future innovations in ecosystem conservation and climate adaptation, both in space and on Earth.

For more information on the collaboration or media inquiries, please contact: contact@JaguarSpace.net.

About Jaguar Space. Jaguar Space is a bioastronautics and business consulting firm dedicated to advancing science and commerce in space. The company leverages a unique combination of expertise in space science, engineering, project management, cross-cultural affairs, and business development to help its customers reach their goals faster and more effectively. https://jaguarspace.net/

About Maldives Space Research Organisation (MSRO). MSRO was founded in the Maldives in 2022, with a vision to help Maldives become a spacefaring nation making significant contributions to the exploration and use of space. It is now the official space organisation of Maldives through authorisation from the Ministry of Defence. Contact@msro.mv www.msro.mv

Guatemalan Government Agencies sign MOU with Jaguar Space

For access to space for food security research

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Guatemala City, Guatemala and Colorado, USA, June 4, 2025

Guatemala Strengthens Space-Agriculture Ties through Collaboration with Jaguar Space

Guatemala City, Guatemala and Colorado, USA, June 4, 2025 — Jaguar Space is proud to announce a new partnership with Guatemala’s National Secretariat of Science and Technology (SENACYT) and the Institute of Agricultural Science and Technology (ICTA) through a jointly signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). This agreement marks a new chapter in Guatemala’s engagement with space-based scientific research following the country’s history with their own Quetzal-1 satellite, and collaborating in three microbiological payloads, two onboard the International Space Station and one around the Moon in NASA’s Artemis I mission.

Together, the organizations will work to expand access to space for Guatemalan scientists and students, particularly in the area of agricultural innovation. The initiative will include research into maize—an iconic crop central to Guatemala’s history, identity, and nutrition. Both ancestral and wild varieties will be part of efforts to examine how space environments can reveal new insights into seed biology and resilience.

This partnership reflects Jaguar Space’s ongoing mission to make space a platform for inclusive scientific advancement, honoring the agricultural roots and future potential of emerging space nations. Jaguar Space's deep roots in Guatemala are reflected in its name, which honors the jaguar—a creature the Maya revered as a bridge between this world and other worlds.

The initiative is aligned with a global experiment designed to explore how exposure to microgravity affects seed germination, gene activation, and metabolic processes. By including maize from Guatemala, the collaboration seeks to generate discoveries with implications for food security, crop resilience, and sustainable agriculture both on Earth and beyond.

For more information on the collaboration or media inquiries, please contact: contact@JaguarSpace.net.

About SENACYT
La Secretaría Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología (SENACYT) promotes the generation and use of science, technology and innovation, building collaboration spaces between the academic, public, productive and civil society sectors, to drive Guatemala’s development. https://www.senacyt.gob.gt

About ICTA
ICTA is the public institution that leads agricultural research in Guatemala. Its mission is to generate and promote the use of science and technology to solve problems faced by farmers and that affect social well-being. https://icta.gob.gt/

Universidad de Costa Rica and Jaguar Space sign MOU

For Costa Rica's Introduction in ISS-Based Space Agriculture

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

San José, Costa Rica and Colorado, USA – June 3, 2025

Jaguar Space and University of Costa Rica Join Forces to Promote Space-Driven Agricultural Innovation

San José, Costa Rica and Colorado, USA – June 3, 2025 — Jaguar Space, a pioneering space company based in Colorado, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Universidad de Costa Rica to collaborate on agricultural research with a space-based perspective. This partnership sets the stage for Costa Rican researchers and students to explore space as a new frontier for agricultural science.

The collaboration centers around native crops of high cultural and economic significance in Costa Rica— sweet pepper and tomato. These staples not only play a central role in the country’s cuisine but also represent key elements in its rich agricultural heritage and scientific development by the improvement of disease-resistance strains. Jaguar Space will provide expertise and support to explore how space-based research can deepen our understanding of these important crops.

This agreement underscores a shared commitment to empowering emerging space nations through science and education. Jaguar Space and Universidad de Costa Rica aim to open new pathways for sustainable innovation, connecting local agricultural strengths with the global push toward space exploration.

The partnership is part of a broader effort to understand how spaceflight—specifically microgravity— affects seed biology, resilience, and genetic expression. The research will explore how unique environmental conditions in low Earth orbit might activate new biological pathways in these culturally significant crops, offering insights for both space agriculture and sustainable farming on Earth.

For more information on the collaboration or media inquiries, please contact: contact@JaguarSpace.net.

About Jaguar Space

Jaguar Space is a bioastronautics and business consulting firm dedicated to advancing science and commerce in space. The company leverages a unique combination of expertise in space science, engineering, project management, cross-cultural affairs, and business development to help its customers reach their goals faster and more effectively. https://jaguarspace.net/

About UCR

The University of Costa Rica is a constitutionally autonomous and democratic institution of higher education and culture, dedicated to teaching, research, social action, study, meditation, artistic creation, and the dissemination of knowledge. Its purpose is to contribute to the transformations that society needs for the common good, through a policy aimed at achieving social justice, equity, integral development, full freedom, and the complete independence of our people.

The Karman Project and Jaguar Space sign MOU

They Unite to Launch World-First Cultural Crop Space Payload

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Berlin, Germany and Colorado, USA – May 29, 2025

The Karman Project and Jaguar Space Unite to Launch World-First Cultural Crop Payload to the ISS

Berlin, Germany and Colorado, USA – May 29, 2025 — Jaguar Space has joined forces with The Karman Project in a multinational collaboration that brings together Armenia, Egypt, Nigeria, and Pakistan under a shared vision: to connect cultural heritage and scientific inquiry through space-based agricultural research.

The mission centers on seeds of historical and cultural significance - Egyptian cotton, Armenian pomegranate, Nigerian egusi melon, and Pakistani wheat. These plants, integral to national identities and economies, will be sent to the International Space Station (ISS) for a multi-day stay in microgravity, before returning to Earth for continued research and public engagement.

By studying how these culturally meaningful crops respond to spaceflight, the project aims to deepen understanding of seed resilience and plant biology in extreme environments - knowledge critical for both long-duration space missions and Earth-based challenges such as climate change, food insecurity, and resource scarcity.

This effort draws on the strengths of The Karman Project’s global network of space leaders - spanning over 70 countries - and Jaguar Space’s expertise in bioastronautics. United by a commitment to equitable access to space, the partners opened the opportunity to emerging space nations within the Karman Community. Payload allocations were awarded via a competitive process, with each selected country making a compelling case for inclusion. The national experiments are led by Karman Community Members Nelly Ben Hayoun-Stepanian (Armenia), Sara Sabry (Egypt), Temidayo Oniosun (Nigeria) and Mahhad Nayyer (Pakistan).

Additional contributions to the broader mission come from partners in seven other countries, including the Maldives Space Research Organisation, following a 2023 Karman delegation to support island nations in adopting space-based solutions.

“Our organizations share not only a strong vision for the future, but a strong history, with Jaguar Space’s founder Dr. Luis Zea having been selected for the Karman Fellowship in 2023,” said Hannah Ashford, Managing Director of The Karman Project. “This mission reflects the action-oriented spirit of our Fellowship - empowering our community to lead impactful projects across borders and build a more inclusive space future.”

Reflecting on the importance of the mission, Dr. Luis Zea, Founder of Jaguar Space, added: “Integrating crops native to emerging space nations is essential for building a sustainable human presence beyond Earth. These collaborations advance nutritional diversity, preserve cultural identity, and open new scientific frontiers. Jaguar Space is proud to enable this progress and support the next generation of global space explorers.”

Payloads are currently being prepared for integration and launch to the ISS, with mission details to be announced shortly. For more information on the collaboration or media inquiries, please contact: contact@JaguarSpace.net.

https://www.karmanproject.org/

About The Karman Project

The Karman Project is a global non-profit foundation promoting peace and security in space through international cooperation. The foundation’s unique convening power enables it to bring together public and private sector decision-makers to build common understandings and impactful projects that serve sustainability, education, science, security and capacity building efforts. To date, The Karman Project’s highly curated community of entrepreneurs, astronauts, space executives, researchers, and artists from over 70 nations have initiated projects servicing the immediate needs of more than five million people worldwide. The foundation is headquartered in Berlin, Germany.

India’s Protoplanet and Jaguar Space sign MOU

Advancing Space Agriculture with Himalayan Crops

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

New Delhi, India / Colorado, USA – May 27, 2025

India’s Protoplanet and Jaguar Space Partner to Explore Space Agriculture with Himalayan Crops

Bengaluru, India / Colorado, USA – May 27, 2025 — Jaguar Space has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Protoplanet, an Indian space innovation company, to promote collaborative research into agricultural species native to the Indian Himalayas.

The agreement emphasizes the scientific and cultural importance of sea buckthorn and Himalayan tartary—plants known for their resilience, nutritional richness, and traditional uses in Indian communities. Together, Protoplanet and Jaguar Space aim to study how these unique crops respond to spaceflight conditions.

This initiative is part of a broader mission to connect indigenous knowledge and modern science, using space as a platform for innovation and cultural representation.

The collaboration contributes to a growing global research effort aimed at studying how plants from diverse ecosystems respond to microgravity. Jaguar Space is working to understand whether the extreme conditions of space can trigger beneficial traits or enhance plant resilience, with far-reaching benefits for both space exploration and agriculture on Earth.

For more information on the collaboration or media inquiries, please contact: contact@JaguarSpace.net.

About Jaguar Space
Jaguar Space is a bioastronautics and space business consulting firm dedicated to advancing science and commerce in space. The company leverages a unique combination of expertise in space science, engineering, project management, cross-cultural affairs, and business development to help its customers reach their goals faster and more effectively.

https://www.protoplanet.co

About Protoplanet
Protoplanet is a Bengaluru-based startup focused on accelerating space exploration training and preparedness for universities, research institutes, industry, and ISRO within the Indian ecosystem. They specialize in developing skills and knowledge for future space missions through tailored programs in microgravity and analogue research.