1.0 PROJECT BACKGROUND 1.1 JAXA Programme The Space Environment Utilization Working Group (SEU WG) is launching its own space mission for the first time. The Space Seed for Asian Future (SSAF) 2010-2011 mission has been planned and developed by the space agencies participating in the SEU WG. The task force aims to joint utilizations of Japanese Experiment Module “KIBO” of the International Space Station by countries in the region. Based on Asian “KIBO” Mission Planning Task Force #3 Meeting held on 1st

July 2010 which consists of the space agencies of Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam, it was agreed that all members to launch their own seeds with the main keyword “Space” and “Asian Seeds” under the theme of “ Space Seeds for Asian Future (SSAF2010). The seeds are placed inside KIBO at ambient temperature. The Members (Asian task force country) are required to prepare specimens respectively for local activity. Objective of this international program is to promote space awareness and better understanding of science in the country. Overall the SSAF2010-2011 program will deepen understanding of the importance of space utilization by people in the Asia-Pacific region and will stimulate scientific interest among young students. 1.2 MALAYSIA SPACE SEED PROGRAMME Malaysia through National Space Agency (ANGKASA) has established a local committee to conduct this program. The local committee for Malaysian Space SEED Programme consist of the Ministry of Education (MOE), Malaysian Agricultural Research & Development Institute (MARDI), and Department of Agriculture (DOA). Objective of the Malaysian Space SEED Educational Programme is :- i. To promote of microgravity science - space awareness; 6

ii. To develop student interest and skill in scientific space experiments and research;

iii. To compare, analyze and do hypothesis about the growth of microgravity environment – exposed seed compared to earth – grown seed.

Malaysia sent 100gram of Capsicum annum (chilli) seeds and developed our very own local program comprised of 2 components incorporating both education and research. The seeds were launched to the International Space Station (ISS) aboard "KOUNOTORI2" (HTV2, a cargo transporter to the ISS) by JAXA on 22 January 2011. The seeds are then retrieved several months later, hitching a ride onboard the final mission of Space Shuttle Endeavour, STS 134 back to Earth. 1.3 WHY CHILLI? Chilli seeds were chosen by the committee because it was readily available, easily prepared by Malaysia. In particular, MC11 was selected because it is a variant developed by our local scientists at MARDI. The proposed seeds were later approved by the technical committee of ISS to be brought up and spend 4 month in space. 7

2.0 ASIAN “KIBO” MISSION: MALAYSIA SPACE SEED COMPETITION 2012 2.1 ABOUT THE COMPETITION i) Title:

Asian “KIBO” Mission: Malaysia Space Seed ii) Organizer:

This competition is organized by the National Space Agency (ANGKASA), Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency with the collaboration of Ministry of Education (MOE), Malaysian Agricultural Research & Development Institute (MARDI), Department of Agriculture (DOA). iii) Nature of competition:

Participants are required to conduct a research project to evaluate growth performance of Capsicum annum seeds. iv) Eligibility

This competition is open to all secondary school students in Malaysia.

Schools are only allowed to send in one team comprises a maximum of 20 students supervised by 4 teachers.

v) Competition Entry Submission of the entry competition must be made through online application via web page http://astronomi.angkasa.gov.my/spaceseeds

All entries to the competition must be submitted to and received by the Organizer no later than the respective deadline. One school can submit only one application.

vi) Important Datelines Advertisement and call for application : 1 November 2011

Closing Date for application: 31 January 2012

Notification of successful application: March 2012

vii) Infrastructural Requirements:

The school must have: - Internet access

- Area for seed germination and planting at least for 40 plants 8

viii) Expenditure to conduct the experiment:

All expenses/costs to be borne by the schools. ix) Prizes & Reward

All participants will be given a token and certificate of participation jointly issued by JAXA, MOE and ANGKASA. x) The Organizer;

Reserve the right to use all works/materials produced by the Participants under the Competition for any purposes without prior notice or consent.

Reserve the right to vary, postpone or reschedule the dates of the competition or extend the competition period at their sole discretion.

Shall not be responsible for any damage to and/or personal injuries sustained in the course of the Competition.

Shall not be responsible for any non-compliant of the Pesticide Act 1974.

xi) Disclaimer

By participating in this Competition, the Participants agree and shall ensure that all team members, the teacher-in-charge and the school authorities agree to abide by the competition Rules and Regulations and all decisions made by the Organizers.

Title

The differences between the rate of growth and characteristics of space seed and earth seed.

Problem Statement

What is the differences between the rate of growth and characteristics of space chilli seed compared to ground chilli seed?

Objectives

1) To investigate the differences between the rate of growth of space chilli seed and the ground chilli seed.

2) To investigate the quality of space chilli plant compared to ground chilli plant.

Research Questions

1) What are the differences between the rate of growth of speed chilli plant and the ground chilli seed?

2) What are the special characteristics of chilli plant from space chilli seed?3) Does the microgravity condition affect the growth of space chilli seed and the ground

chilli seed?4) What is the germination behaviour of space chilli seed compared to ground chilli

seed?

5) What is the morphological characteristics of space chilli seed compared to ground chilli seed?

Literature review

1. http://www.chilli-willy.com/growing-instructions/

2. https://www.chiliproject.org/

3. http://www.organikpro.com/files/Cili-Panduan_Menanam.pdf

4. http://teknologipertanian.com/2009/07/26/penanaman-cili/

5. Malaysia Space Seed Module

Methodology

a) Sowing

1. An appropriate place was selected to sow our chilli seed.2. The place that was chose is located near to the water resources and away from the sunlight.3. The germination trays was prepared and it was filled with peat-gro.4. The peat-gro was watered until it wet.5. 50 seeds each of type a and type b chillies were sowed in the trays.6. The germination rate behaviour of chilli seed was recorded for 15 days.7. After 15 days sowing, the seedlings were gently being sprayed with foliar fertilizers.8. The next 5 days, the seedlings were being sprayed again with insecticide.9. The germination behaviour were recorded.

b) Transplanting

1. The soil used has pH value between 6.0 and 6.5.2. The seed sowing an acclimatization factor also considered for the preparation of the soil.3. The site for transplanting was prepared.4. The soil mix consists of soil organic matter and sand in ratio of 3:2:1 respectively.5. 20 polybags with size of 30 x 45 cm was filled with 3/4 of soil mixture.6. Then, they were watered until wet.7. The polybags were labelled s1 to s20 for space seed and g1 to g20 for ground seeds.8. The soil in the polybags were watered until wet.9. 20 healthy seedlings were selected of each types.10. A hole was made at the centre of each polybags.11. The seedlings was removed from germination trays with the root ball intact kept.12. The seedlings in the planting hole was place upright to firm up the base to surrounding soil.13. The newly transplanted plant were watered until the soil was moist without leaving standing water.

c) After transplanting

1. The plants were looked after and replaced when dead, diseased or weak.2. The polybags were arranged at 1 m between rows and 1m within rows.3. The plot area for space seedlings and ground seedlings were separated with plastic barrier.4. The data for growth of the seedlings were started to be recorded after 14 days of transplanting by using different pesticides, fertilizers and some others action.