Rose seeds return from space after suborbital mutation test

The PH-1 Yao-1 rocket successfully completed a suborbital test flight, returning rose seeds exposed to space radiation, with the payload delivered on January 23.

The rocket is developed by Chinese commercial aerospace company CAS Space.

The seeds were selected for superior traits, disease resistance and stress tolerance. Exposure to space radiation and microgravity induced valuable mutations for future breeding of longer-flowering, disease-resistant and uniquely colored roses.

These "space seeds" will be systematically cultivated at the National Rose Germplasm Resource Repository in Nanyang, central China's Henan Province. The initiative demonstrates a replicable model for aerospace-assisted breeding of flowers, grains and vegetables, supporting national seed security and agricultural modernization.

The PH-1 traveled approximately 120 kilometers above sea level, crossing the Kármán line into space. The rocket offers low-cost, flexible suborbital flights with reliable payload recovery, supporting microgravity experiments and near-space in situ research with over 300 seconds of stable experimental conditions.