Animal Experiments in STS-107 (NASA)

Ant writes "Six lead schools are participating in the STARS Program, actually designing, developing, and flying experiments in space. STARS students get an unforgettable opportunity to work with space scientists, engineers, and astronauts to design and develop their experiments. As lead schools, they are conducting experiments that will be viewed by thousands of people around the world. The experiments will be housed within BioServe's ICM (Isothermal Containment Module). The ICM is a small temperature-controlled facility and will provide the necessary experiment support such as physical containment, lighting, video imaging, and more. Obviously, my favorite one is the U.S.A.'s harvester ants tunneling in algar-based gel experiment for 16 days. I have a discussion on my message board watching this experiment. Now, where's Homer Simpson? ;)"

Comments

Bees in space

[MacAndrew]

I remember an early student-designed experiment (early 80's?) involving bees; the bees did pretty well I think. I see they're sending spice bees (carpenter bees) on STS-107, Columbia. Here is the official NASA description.

I'm sure this has been thought of, but what if the bees escape? The females do sting. So there would be some interesting footage of astronauts chasing and avoiding a swarm of weightless, disoriented, pissed, and space sick bees. Could be interesting. Bug spray would be right out as an option. :) I wonder if NASA classes live bees as a hazardous cargo.

Reality TV

[GuyMannDude]

As lead schools, they are conducting experiments that will be viewed by thousands of people around the world. ... Obviously, my favorite one is the U.S.A.'s harvester ants tunneling in algar-based gel experiment for 16 days.

Maybe it's just me but I just can't see thousand of people around the world glued to their monitors watching a bunch of ants making tunnels through gel for 16 solid days. I'd almost rather watch a Pauly Shore comedy (note the use of the word "almost").

GMD