ALEXANDER CITY, Ala. – Radishes are rocketing into space, thanks to a research project by Central Alabama Community College students that was selected for flight to the International Space Station as part of a national science initiative.
Central Alabama Community College was chosen to participate in the Student Spaceflight Experiments Program Mission 20, a partnership with the National Center for Earth and Space Science Education. The program allows students to design real-world experiments for testing in microgravity aboard the International Space Station.
The winning experiment, designed by students Allie Scott, Benton Stegall, Noah White, Adlyne Benton, and Gracie Deason, explores the early growth of radish roots and shoots in space. Guided by advisor Jessica Hodnett, an agriculture teacher at Horseshoe Bend High School, their project was selected from 15 proposals submitted by 52 students.
Selected for its scientific merit and potential relevance to sustainable space agriculture, the radish project is featured on the official Student Spaceflight Experiments Program Mission 20 website. Radishes, a fast-growing and nutrient-rich crop, are of growing interest to researchers studying food production for long-term space missions.
“I am so proud of these students,” said Central Alabama Community College President Jeff Lynn. “They demonstrated remarkable scientific curiosity as they developed their proposals. The depth of research, creativity, and dedication reflected in their work shows that they can significantly contribute to real-world scientific advancement.”
Two other proposals from the college received honorable mentions. One, in collaboration with Missouri University of Science and Technology, focused on amino acid crystallization. Another, involving HeLa cancer cell proliferation, proposed a study in partnership with Tuskegee University and Russell Medical.
The selected experiment will launch to the International Space Station in April 2026 alongside research from the University of Tennessee, Morgan Community College in Colorado, and Florida Institute of Technology.
Central Alabama Community College continues to support hands-on scientific learning through programs like the Student Spaceflight Experiments Program, which bridges classroom learning and real-world research.
