Chiba University has recently established the Research Center for Space Agriculture and Horticulture at its Matsudo Campus. This initiative is in anticipation of a future where humans will spend extended periods on the moon. With its expertise as the only national university in Japan with a Faculty of Horticulture, Chiba University aims to explore and develop food production technologies suitable for the alien environments, ultimately striving to create a "space plant factory." By the 2030s, it is estimated that approximately 100 to 1,000 people may inhabit the moon. Simultaneously, ensuring food security has become an international concern. The Research Center for Space Agriculture and Horticulture intends to tackle this challenge by simulating space conditions, such as low gravity and low pressure, using specialized equipment. The center will focus its research on three main areas: "space horticulture breeding," aiming to develop plant varieties capable of thriv...