China's super space seed

Posted By Kyle Spector Wednesday, August 9, 2006 - 10:37 AM Share

So you've already heard of GPS satellites, telecommunications satellites, and spy satellites. Now China is adding another moniker to the mix - a "seed satellite." In an effort to feed its ever-growing population, Chinese officials are launching over 2,000 seeds into orbit for a two-week trip designed to force the seeds to mutate.

Exposed to special environment such as cosmic radiation and micro-gravity, it is hoped that some seeds will mutate to such an extent that they may produce much higher yields and improved quality.

China Pigs Apparently, China has been experimenting with space seeds for years with much success, but this will be the first satelite solely dedicated to producing the mutations necessary for an improved crop yield. The launch of the seed satellite should immediately bring one question to the mind of any avid follower of the Chinese space program - what ever happened to China's super space pig sperm?

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