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SPACE BIOLOGY RESEARCH
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 2010, NASA launched a 12-pound, loaf-of-bread-sized satellite with two Bacillus populations; radiation exposure reached about 15 times that of the ISS orbitNASA's O/OREOS mission embarked on an exciting journey to observe how bacteria withstand the rigors of space radiation. The compact satelli...
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...
In 1998, NASA flew crickets on Neurolab to study how spaceflight affects developing nervous systems; across the 16-day mission, they joined about 2,000 animals in spaceDuring the Neurolab mission, the space shuttle Columbia hosted 2,000 animals, crickets being one of them, to examine spaceflight's impacts ...
In 1967, Biosatellite II irradiated parasitic wasps for 2 days in orbit; females later laid as many eggs as controls, and hatchability remained excellentA 1967 NASA mission sent parasitic wasps into orbit around Earth. These wasps showed surprising resistance to radiation damage while in spa...
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...
In 2024, Nevada filled 1.8 million solar panels across the Mojave Desert; a rare milkvetch plant growing inside the farm started to produce 8 times more flowers and 10 times more fruit than plants outsideA rare Mojave Desert plant unexpectedly flourished inside Nevada's massive Gemini Solar Project. Researchers found threecorner milkvetch pl...
In 2005, NASA flew five thick-toed geckos aboard Foton-M2 for 16 days without food or water; all were recovered with no apparent negative health effectsFive geckos orbited Earth for sixteen days without food or water. Researchers studied how weightlessness affects these cold-blooded animals...
In 1987, Bion 8 carried monkeys Yerosha and Dryoma for 13 days; Yerosha escaped part of his restraints before the capsule landed 1,850 miles off targetThe Soviet Bion program studied weightlessness effects using rhesus macaques. Bion 8 launched in 1987 with two monkeys, Yerosha and Dryoma....
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...
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...
In 2013, Bion-M1 carried land snails in orbit for 30 days; hardware failures killed many other animals, but the snails survivedIn a space mission conducted by Russia in 2013, a tragic outcome ensued as most of the aboard animals, including mice, gerbils, and fish, c...
COVID lockdowns accidentally created an experiment scientists could never have deliberately run: What happens when the roads and buildings stay, but the people disappear?The COVID-19 lockdowns accidentally created a rare real-world experiment for scientists, as human activity suddenly dropped while roads, bu...
In 2009, NASA sent four painted lady caterpillars to the ISS; reports said all four completed metamorphosis and emerged as adult butterflies in microgravityIn 2009, four painted lady caterpillars made their way to the International Space Station, embarking on a unique journey. In the absence of...
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...
In 1997, NASA sent 64 desert beetles to Russia’s Mir space station with tiny wheels tracking their every movement; their movements helped scientists understand how light regulates biological clocks in microgravityNASA sent black desert beetles into space aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis in 1997. These insects lived on the Russian Mir space station f...
In 1958, the US launched Gordo the squirrel monkey 300 miles above Earth; he endured 8.3 minutes of weightlessness and 40 g during re-entry, but died after his capsule sank at seaIn the historic space flight of 1958, Gordo, a courageous squirrel monkey, faced intense conditions that ultimately validated human surviva...
In 2013, a special medical research facility was started in Cologne, Germany to understand how humans adapt to extreme environments: How :envihab helps prepare astronauts?In 2013, a special medical research facility was started in Cologne, Germany to understand how humans adapt to extreme environments. The fa...
In 1968, two Russian steppe tortoises travelled around the Moon before humans did. They survived a punishing 20G force while returning to EarthIn a remarkable journey, two Russian steppe tortoises embarked on a mission aboard Zond 5, orbiting the Moon in September 1968. This pionee...
In 1968, two Afghan tortoises who beat humans to the Moon lost 10% of their weight - They flew around the moon on Soviet Zond 5 and returned alive 3 months before Apollo 8In September 1968, two tortoises made history as the first animals to orbit the Moon and safely return to Earth aboard the Soviet Zond 5 sp...