United Nations Vienna: Newton's Space Sapling Planted
The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs was provided with a special apple tree grown from seeds which were taken into space, and the Ambassador of the UK, Corinne Kitsell and UNOOSA Director Simonetta Di Pippo planted the sapling which can be seen by visitors to the Space Exhibition at the VIC.
Eight saplings grown from pips taken from Isaac Newton’s apple tree and flown in space by ESA astronaut Tim Peake have already been planted across the UK and Europe. / Picture: © ESA - European Space Agency
A special apple tree grown from seeds which were taken into space, was planted in the grounds of the Vienna International Centre (VIC) to inspire future generations of space scientists.
The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) was provided with the tree and the Ambassador of the United Kingdom (UK), Corinne Kitsell and UNOOSA Director Simonetta Di Pippo planted the sapling which can be seen by visitors to the Space Exhibition at the VIC.
The young apple tree, which is presently 80 cm tall, is a descendant of the 400-year old tree, still growing at Woolsthorpe Manor in the United Kingdom, that inspired Isaac Newton’s theory of gravity.
The sapling was cultivated from one of the 26 seeds that were taken to the International Space Station by British/European Space Agency astronaut, Tim Peake, during his ‘Principia’ mission in 2015.
The seeds spent six months floating in micro gravity before returning to earth in 2016 and an open competition was launched in 2019 by the National Trust and the UK Space Agency to find a home for each of the trees and to inspire future generations.
At the ceremony, Simonetta Di Pippo of UNOOSA noted Newton’s legacy and said the tree reminds us how being mindful of our environment can lead to unexpected discoveries: “It is an honour for UNOOSA to plant this tree here. I am hopeful it will inspire new generations of bright minds to ask the right questions and seek answers, as so many have done in the past. In the words of the man himself, ‘If I have seen further, it is by standing upon the shoulders of giants’”.
The 8th Newton #SpaceSapling tree that joined @astro_timpeake to the International Space Station was planted today by @corinnekitsell & @SDiPippo_OOSA at @UN_Vienna
— UK Mission Vienna (@UKMissionVienna) September 28, 2021
UK is proud that its home at @UNOOSA will inspire future generations
pic.twitter.com/nnx5RnBz25
UK Ambassador Corinne Kitsell said: “The UK is pleased that UNOOSA’s bid to home a Newton space sapling was successful and that this sapling will find a permanent home in the grounds of the Vienna International Centre where diplomats meet to negotiate international law for using and exploring space safely and sustainably.”