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Pig Sperm in Space

Posted by timothy on from the aim-high dept.

Spitfire15 writes "China is planning to study the effects of space on sperm, by sending the semen from pedigree pigs into orbit. Some 40 grams of pig sperm will be taken on board the Shenzhou VI spacecraft for its October launch. Some of the sperm will be kept outside the spacecraft's biological capsule and some inside, according to China's Xinhua news agency. Surviving sperm will be returned to Earth and used to understand better the processes involved in pig reproduction."

4 of 55 comments (clear)

  1. Cue the bad puns by BlackCobra43 · · Score: 4, Funny

    about "porking in space"

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    I never spellcheck and I freely admit it. Save your karma for more worthwhile "lol erorrs" replies
    1. Re:Cue the bad puns by daeley · · Score: 4, Funny

      Q. How does the Chinese Space Program find a lost capsule?

      A. By using a homing bacon.

      Q. How does China Mission Control talk to its astronauts?

      A. Ham radio.

      Q. What will the first Chinese station be called?

      A. Deep Space Swine.

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      I watched C-beams glitter in the dark near the Tannhauser gate.
  2. One question by Fr05t · · Score: 4, Funny

    "by sending the semen from pedigree pigs into orbit."

    Are these the capitalist breed of pig?

  3. Re:... Uh... by SDMX · · Score: 4, Insightful

    More than likely to study the ability of mammals to reproduce in a zero-gravity environment. As if the concept of having sex in 0G wasn't hard enough, think about those poor sperm! Since it's thought that they use gravity to tell which way to swim in the vaginal canal, this might seriously impede the ability to impregnate or reproduce in space.

    You know, should we get there without artificial gravity.