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...
03 Sep, 2026, 08.59 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
415 million years ago, giant scorpions the size of a Golden Retreiver prowled Britain — and its story is now rewriting prehistoric historyScientists identified Praearcturus gigas as the largest known scorpion, measuring one meter long. This ancient predator lived approximately...
02 Sep, 2026, 11.56 PM IST
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...
02 Sep, 2026, 05.27 PM IST
Fiscal deficit target for FY27 achievable, but slower nominal GDP growth may pressure fiscal space: ReportIndia's fiscal position remains comfortable in early FY27 months. Slower nominal GDP growth could pressure the fiscal deficit target. Gover...
02 Sep, 2026, 12.19 PM IST
In 1990, NASA recovered tomato seeds after nearly 6 years on LDEF; classroom tests found space seeds germinated at 73.8% versus 70.3% for Earth controlsAfter nearly six years aboard NASA's LDEF satellite, Rutgers tomato seeds returned to Earth to inspire young scientists. Millions of studen...
01 Sep, 2026, 07.00 PM IST
In 2003, researchers found freshwater snails had mated in space; their gravity-sensing statoconia were 50% larger by volume than matched ground controlsExperiments conducted aboard the Space Shuttle demonstrated that pond snails bred in microgravity possessed larger gravity-sensing structur...
31 Aug, 2026, 07.20 PM IST
In 1960, NASA launched rhesus monkey Miss Sam to test Mercury's escape system, and she reached 1,800 mph and 9 miles, then returned in overall good conditionMiss Sam, a rhesus monkey, played a pivotal role in NASA's launch escape system testing, demonstrating the system's ability to safely eject...
31 Aug, 2026, 06.30 PM IST
A 1.5-pound squirrel monkey named Goliath was launched into space in 1961; 35 seconds later, his Atlas E rocket was destroyedIn an unfortunate chapter of space exploration, a squirrel monkey named Goliath found himself amidst America's fierce space race. His ill-f...
30 Aug, 2026, 06.53 PM IST
In 1951, Soviet space dog Bobik escaped before launch; scientists found a stray near the canteen, named her ZIB, and sent her 100 km up before a safe returnA stray dog known as ZIB unexpectedly filled in for a canine that went missing just before a Soviet rocket launch. With no training at all,...
29 Aug, 2026, 07.00 PM IST
Can fish populate space? In 1994, four medaka fish were flown aboard Columbia. They laid 43 eggs; 8 babies were born in space with no gravity. Adult fish, however, forgot to use one organ in their bodyIn 1994, Japanese astronaut Chiaki Mukai was pleasantly shocked to find that new life could indeed be born in space. Four fish he had carri...
29 Aug, 2026, 06.59 PM IST
In 1952, Patricia and Mike rode an Aerobee 36 miles up at 2,000 mph; both monkeys returned safely after scientists compared seated and prone acceleration effectsIn 1952, two Philippine monkeys named Patricia and Mike embarked on a historic journey aboard a rocket. Scientists sought to understand how...
29 Aug, 2026, 06.50 PM IST
In 1962, NASA packed 22,900 gallons of water into a Saturn I rocket and deliberately released it 65 miles above Earth to see how water behaved in the upper atmosphereNASA scientists have long explored recycling resources for extended space travel. Plants and microorganisms could help regenerate vital sup...
28 Aug, 2026, 09.39 PM IST
On STS-51B, NASA flew 24 rats and 2 squirrel monkeys with Spacelab-3; one monkey showed space sickness while the rats returned with muscle lossIn 1985, Challenger carried rats and monkeys to study microgravity's effects. One monkey experienced space sickness, mirroring human astron...
28 Aug, 2026, 01.20 PM IST
In 1992, Endeavour carried 4 female African clawed frogs into orbit; their eggs were fertilized in microgravity and developed into apparently normal tadpolesIn 1992, four frogs embarked on a journey aboard the space shuttle Endeavour as part of a groundbreaking reproductive experiment. Their egg...
27 Aug, 2026, 01.50 PM IST
In 2001, NASA sent the science behind toothpaste and salad dressing into space; the research later helped produce three P&G patentsSince 2001, NASA has explored the behavior of colloids aboard the International Space Station, where the lack of gravity permits intricate ...
26 Aug, 2026, 02.00 PM IST
In 1963, France sent a stray cat 154 km into space; Félicette survived the flight, was euthanized for research, and honoured with a bronze statueIn 1963, France sent stray cat Félicette 154 km into space, making her the first and only cat to travel beyond Earth. She survived the flig...
24 Aug, 2026, 05.42 PM IST