An Australian-led mission that could help humans put down their roots in space, both literally and biologically, is now scheduled to lift off.

The mission – the Australian Lunar Experiment Promoting Horticulture (ALEPH) – is one of the first Australian-led Moon missions, and is being led by start-up Lunaria One in collaboration with research institutions, non-profits, and industry partners.

Lunaria One has announced its payload will travel to the Moon aboard Intuitive Machines' third lunar mission in 2025.

The ALEPH mission will demonstrate how plants can survive the journey to the Moon and endure lunar surface conditions, while testing systems for supporting and monitoring plant growth in extreme environments. These insights aim to drive advancements for space and Earth-based applications.

The mission received $3.6 million in funding from the Australian Space Agency as part of the Agency's Moon to Mars initiative Demonstrator Mission program.

“Understanding which plants to grow in space – and how best to grow them – will play a key role in human space exploration in the coming years, while giving us important scientific lessons to apply back on Earth.

“ALEPH is an opportunity for Australia to be involved in making these discoveries, drawing on Australia’s extensive life sciences expertise,”

~ Enrico Palermo, Head of the Australian Space Agency

Artist's imp of a Mars living environment. Image Bruce Moffett - University of Adelaide

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Main image caption: Artist impression of the ALEPH payload | Credit: G. Dorrington, RMIT

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