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...
17 Sep, 2026, 01.48 AM IST
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...
16 Sep, 2026, 06.40 PM IST
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...
16 Sep, 2026, 01.00 PM IST
In 2017, a fully automated facility for plant bioscience research was launched to the International Space Station: What NASA studied in space?In 2017, a fully automated facility for plant bioscience research was launched to the International Space Station. The Advanced Plant Habit...
16 Sep, 2026, 05.43 AM IST
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...
15 Sep, 2026, 07.20 PM IST
In 2014, NASA astronauts used an ordinary tape measure during six-month ISS missions; the Body Measures data later entered requirements for NASA's xEMU spacesuitIn 2014, astronauts aboard the International Space Station conducted body measurements to study the impact of microgravity on human physiol...
15 Sep, 2026, 07.10 PM IST
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 ...
15 Sep, 2026, 01.20 PM IST
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...
15 Sep, 2026, 01.00 PM IST
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 ...
15 Sep, 2026, 11.40 AM IST
In 1997, Japanese researchers flew silkworm eggs on STS-84 to study spaceflight effects; developmental abnormalities were more frequent in the flight samplesSilkworm eggs revealed developmental abnormalities in early space experiments. Later, the Rad Silk investigation examined cosmic radiation'...
14 Sep, 2026, 01.30 PM IST
In 2019, Nickelodeon sent green slime to the ISS for eight demonstrations; the tests offered insights into liquid containment and hydroponic plant watering researchAstronauts on the International Space Station engaged in a fascinating experiment with Nickelodeon's iconic green slime. This unexpected pr...
12 Sep, 2026, 01.30 PM IST
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...
11 Sep, 2026, 01.10 PM IST
In 1997, NASA grew Brassica rapa on Mir for 122 days to test a full life cycle; seed-to-seed cycles succeeded, but space-grown seeds were smallerIn an exciting development, researchers have achieved seed-to-seed cycling of plants in microgravity environments, demonstrating gravity in...
09 Sep, 2026, 06.40 PM IST
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 ...
09 Sep, 2026, 12.52 AM IST
In 1994, 300 young male fruit flies flew for 14.5 days on IML-2; repeated video showed their locomotor activity rose sharply while they were in microgravityIn 1994, fruit flies were launched into space, revealing significantly heightened activity levels in microgravity. These flies aged more ra...
06 Sep, 2026, 01.30 PM IST
In 1966, Gemini 9 and Gemini 12 exposed fungal spores and viruses directly to space; a 0.4 mm aluminum shield kept fungal spores alive and boosted virus survival 3,000-foldEarly space missions tested microbial survival outside spacecraft without protection. Fungal spores and viruses showed very low survival ra...
06 Sep, 2026, 01.00 PM IST
In 1983, NASA flew Neurospora bread mold on STS-9 to test its body clock; the rhythm persisted, but faded out in 25% of flight tubes before light restored itIn 1983, NASA conducted research on fungal circadian rhythms aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia, observing the bread mold Neurospora crassa....
03 Sep, 2026, 03.00 PM IST