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BIOLOGICAL RESEARCH IN SPACE
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 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...
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 ...
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'...
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 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 2009, researchers in Spain mixed grape waste with slate mining waste and created a soil-like material that could help barren mine dumps grow plantsResearchers in north-west Spain are turning grape waste into a soil-like material by mixing grape marc compost and vermicompost with barren...
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 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...
In 1958, a mouse nicknamed Minnie Mouse was sent to space by the United States Air Force under the first Mouse-in-Able (MIA-1) mission aboard a two-stage Thor-Able rocket but the animal didn't survive the flightIn 1958, a mouse nicknamed Minnie Mouse was sent to space by the United States Air Force under the first Mouse-in-Able (MIA-1) mission aboa...
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...
In 2005, ESA exposed two kinds of lichen to space for 14.6 days; both remained metabolically active and recovered after returning to EarthIn a groundbreaking experiment, two lichen species, Rhizocarpon geographicum and Xanthoria elegans, showcased extraordinary durability by s...
In 1950, a live and unanaesthetized mouse was sent to the upper atmosphere in a V-2 rocket to test biological responses and capture physiological data and imagery during the flightIn 1950, a live and unanaesthetized mouse was sent to the upper atmosphere in a V-2 rocket to test biological responses and capture physiol...
In 1995, NASA sent 30 fertilised Japanese quail eggs to the Mir space station for 16 days; what scientists found after they returned raised new questions about life without gravityIn 1995, NASA launched a fascinating experiment by sending fertilized quail eggs to the Mir space station. The objective was to explore how...
In 1947, the military sent fruit flies 67 miles into space to test radiation risks. 11 years later, NASA was founded in 1958, with animal flights underway in America now1947 mission was part of a larger American effort to understand whether living organisms could survive the journey into space. Beginning in...
Nasa scientists grew corn seeds in space and found something strange: How microgravity confused roots & shoots that normally know exactly which way to growNasa scientists grew corn seeds in space: NASA conducted an intriguing experiment on corn seeds grown in the absence of gravity’s guiding f...
In 1998, NASA sent oyster toadfish into space on Space Shuttle Columbia; over 16 days in orbit, researchers studied how their balance systems adapted to microgravityIn 1998, saltwater toadfish participated in the Columbia's Neurolab mission, offering insights into the effects of microgravity on the nerv...