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EARTH ORBITING MISSIONS
Boeing’s Insitu, Gogo test Starlink alternative for war dronesBoeing's Insitu and Gogo have tested a military drone utilizing satellite communications for global internet access. The drone integrates G...
In 1993, Russia reflected sunlight from space. Now, a California startup wants to turn the night sky into a marketplace for on-demand sunlight from orbitA California startup is developing satellites that could redirect sunlight to Earth after sunset, creating what it calls “sunlight on deman...
In 2021, NASA sent 11 types of crop seeds outside the space station for 8 months; after their return, scientists tested whether they could still growThe 2021 NASA seed experiment ultimately demonstrates why some of the most important space discoveries can begin with objects that appear r...
If Earth was built close to the young Sun, where did its water come from? New isotope analysis rewrites part of Earth’s origin story and gives scientists a new mystery to solveNew analysis suggests Earth formed solely from inner Solar System material. This challenges previous theories about outer Solar System cont...
Mushrooms sent to space return to Earth & end up in pasta: Australian researchers send lion’s mane, turkey’s tail and cordyceps to the ISS, then watch what happens when they returnMushrooms sent to space return to Earth & end up in pasta: Australian scientists sent fungal mycelium to the International Space Station as...
In 1992, scientists sent 230 hornets into space to see if they could build a nest without gravity; after 8 days, they returned without building oneDuring a 1992 space mission, the Endeavour shuttle became home to 230 hornets, prompting scientists to investigate how these insects build ...
In 2020, NASA put seeds from 11 crops aboard an experimental spaceplane; after months in orbit, scientists brought them back to test whether they could still growIn 2020, NASA put seeds from 11 crops aboard an experimental spaceplane; after months in orbit, scientists brought them back to test whethe...
In 1999, NASA sent 4 ladybugs aboard Columbia for 5 days to chase aphids; the aphids lost their ability to escape by falling, and the ladybugs still caught and ate themIn 1999, four ladybugs embarked on an extraordinary journey aboard the space shuttle Columbia to investigate their predatory habits in a we...
In 2022, Mattel sent two Barbie dolls to the ISS for Mission DreamStar, and their filmed trip became part of a STEM video seriesIn 2022, two Barbie dolls took a stellar trip to the International Space Station as part of the exciting Mission DreamStar. These dolls, be...
America brings space warfare into the open. Where does India stand?The United States has publicly acknowledged possessing on-orbit space control weapons. This disclosure marks a significant shift in how spa...
In 2014, ESA astronaut Alexander Gerst wore SpaceTex shirts on the ISS for six months; their fabric data helped inform clothes for future Mars crewsInnovative space experiments have focused on how fabrics can effectively manage astronaut sweat and heat during missions. These studies rev...
In 2025, China sent four mice to Tiangong for about two weeks; one female later produced three litters of 9, 10, and 9 pups after returning to EarthIn a groundbreaking Chinese space experiment, four mice were sent into orbit for two weeks. Remarkably, one female mouse returned and gave ...
In 2025, DLR tested continuous spirulina growth on the ISS for future closed-loop life support; Limnospira indica produced oxygen and edible biomass in microgravityIn a groundbreaking experiment, scientists have successfully cultivated spirulina aboard the International Space Station, paving the way fo...
In 1984, NASA sent 12.5 million tomato seeds into orbit for nearly six years. After their return, 132,000 experiment kits were distributed across every US state and 30 countriesIn 1984, NASA sent 12.5 million tomato seeds into orbit for nearly six years. After their return, 132,000 experiment kits were distributed ...
SpaceX's first Starfall customer is European mission integrator Space CargoSpace Cargo aims to fly in 2028 an orbital reentry flight on the first commercial mission of Starship, which will deploy SpaceX's Starfall ...
In 1983, three pregnant guppies flew on Cosmos 1514 for five days; one later gave birth to 25 healthy fry and produced six more healthy broods after returning to EarthIn 1983, three expectant guppies journeyed aboard the Cosmos 1514 biosatellite as part of a Soviet experiment exploring the effects of micr...
In 2008, a spacecraft was launched by NASA to study how our heliosphere, the magnetic bubble surrounding our Sun and planets, interacts with interstellar spaceIn 2008, a spacecraft was launched by NASA to study how our heliosphere, the magnetic bubble surrounding our Sun and planets, interacts wit...
In 2022, China grew rice from seed to seed on Tiangong for 120 days; six seeds produced 59, and their descendants reached a third generation on EarthChinese astronauts have made remarkable strides in agricultural innovation by growing rice aboard the Tiangong space station. The experimen...
In 2015, fruit flies were sent to International Space Station to study how microgravity and the space environment affect the innate immune systemIn 2015, fruit flies were sent to International Space Station to study how microgravity and the space environment affect the innate immune ...
In 1981, two satellites were launched by NASA to study the interactions between Earth's magnetosphere and ionosphereIn 1981, two satellites were launched by NASA to study the interactions between Earth's magnetosphere and ionosphere. The Dynamics Explorer...