WEIRD NEWS OF THE WEEK: Bonsai tree launched into space

The iconic miniature Japanese tree blasted into the stratosphere thanks to a joint project between an artist and JP Aerospace.

18:00 23 July 2014

A bonsai tree, alongside other botanical matter, has been sent to space by artist Azuma Makota and JP Aerospace.

Of the white pine bonsai and his arrangement of flowers,
Makoto told the New York Times that “flowers aren’t just beautiful to show on tables”. With images as stunning as the ones sent back to earth, the artist’s statement was certainly rooted in truth.

Makoto’s plan was “to see the movement and beauty of plants and flowers suspended in space."

He added:  "I always wanted to travel to space. This is a dream come true."

Black Rock Desert in Nevada was the launch point for the balloon based mission.

JP Aerospace founder John Powell was quoted by the Independent:  "The best thing about this project is that space is so foreign to most of us, so seeing a familiar object like a bouquet of flowers flying above Earth domesticates space, and the idea of traveling into it."