BioServe conducts unique space life science research
Spiders in Space
Spiders can usually be found spinning webs in the dark corners of garages or crawling through gardens, but a few of our eight-legged friends are on a unique mission in outer space. Travelling aboard the last flight of the space shuttle Endeavor—and the second to last shuttle mission in history—the University of Colorado’s BioServe Space Technologies sent two golden orb spiders to the International Space Station May 16, 2011.
Scientists will observe the pair—named Gladys and Esmeralda—as they study the effects of microgravity on the formation of their three dimensional, asymmetric webs. This is the second spider study in space and promotes the objectives of BioServe, which specializes in conducting life science research in outer space for future applications here on Earth.
A swarm of fruit flies and a number of planted seeds accompanied the spiders on their journey aboard the space shuttle. The entire experiment also incorporates the help of thousands of K-12 students from across the state of Colorado, who will help compare the behavior of spiders, fruit flies, and seeds in the low gravity of the International Space Station with their corresponding activities on Earth. This one-of-a-kind program is inspiring the next generation of scientists and engineers.
For more information on Spiders in Space, visit http://bioedonline.org.
BioServe has designed, built and flown more than 50 different payloads on 40 space flight missions, including NASA space shuttles, the International Space Station, and Russia's MIR space station and the Soyuz spacecraft.
