Why NASA is studying 1.2-billion-year-old Scottish rocks for clues to ancient life on Mars and the Red Planet’s watery pastAncient rocks found in Scotland's Stoer Formation are being studied by NASA to understand potential signs of life. These rocks formed 1.2 b...
30 Sep, 2026, 01.15 AM IST
In just decades, the world's fourth-largest lake vanished and became a 23,000-sq-mile desert. Now millions of shrubs are bringing hope backThe Aral Sea, once the world’s fourth-largest lake, dramatically shrank after Soviet irrigation diverted its rivers. Today, Kazakhstan is r...
21 Sep, 2026, 04.25 PM IST
NASA sent seeds into space for nearly 6 years; after they returned, 132,000 experiment kits reached 3.3 million students in 30 countriesIn April 1984, NASA launched a satellite carrying 12.5 million tomato seeds into orbit to test how space radiation affects biological life....
20 Sep, 2026, 06.43 PM IST
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...
19 Sep, 2026, 09.59 PM IST
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 ...
17 Sep, 2026, 01.00 PM IST
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 1998, scientists sent 4 pregnant swordtail fish and 200 babies into space; near the end of the mission, the fish suddenly began swimming in continuous loopsIn an unprecedented experiment in 1998, swordtail fish were launched into orbit on the space shuttle Endeavor to explore how life persists ...
16 Sep, 2026, 07.00 PM 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
El Niño effect: Kharif crops, winter sowing face stress as drought hits 53% of IndiaEl Niño effect: El Niño has left more than 50% of India grappling with drought conditions, severely affecting kharif crops currently in the...
16 Sep, 2026, 12.22 AM 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 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 2004, ESA grew rocket seeds on the ISS with André Kuipers; after four days, dark-grown seedlings were taller and yellow, while lit ones stayed smaller and greenA 2004 space project involving astronaut Andre Kuipers and schoolchildren explored plant growth factors. Thousands of students participated...
11 Sep, 2026, 01.00 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 1994, NASA flew four Japanese red-bellied newts on STS-65 for nearly 15 days; two adults died, but 32 newt eggs hatchedSpace Shuttle Columbia's 1994 mission studied animal reproduction in zero gravity. Four red-bellied newts and medaka fish were part of biol...
08 Sep, 2026, 02.00 PM IST