For barely visible organisms, bobtail squid and tardigrades do get a lot of attention. And they are now preparing to go where most humans will never get the chance to: in space. SpaceX is launching its 22nd cargo mission tomorrow, June 3, and the tiny creatures will embark on the adventure of their lifetime, on a trip to the International Space Station.
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NASA To Launch Baby Squids And water Bears To ISS In SpaceX s Next Mission
In the upcoming space mission, SpaceX rocket Falcon 9 will take 5,000 “water bears” and 128 glowing baby squids to the International Space Station (ISS).
IMAGE: TWITTER
In the upcoming space mission, SpaceX rocket Falcon 9 will take 5,000 “water bears” and 128 glowing baby squids to the International Space Station (ISS). According to a press release, the US space agency said that the 22nd SpaceX cargo resupply mission carrying scientific research and technology demonstrations will be launching to the ISS on June 3. Apart from tardigrades dubbed as water bears’ and baby squids, the cargo resupply mission will also carry more than 7,300 pounds of stuff that indices crew supplies, new solar panels and vehicle hardware.
Water bears, along with several baby bobtail squids which glow in the dark, are going to the International Space Station (ISS) soon to help in a variety of science experiments.
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Scientists shot tardigrades out of a gun at more than 2,000 mph to see if the critters could survive
Scientists shot tardigrades out of a gun at more than 2,000 mph to see if the critters could survive
Aylin WoodwardMay 23, 2021, 09:36 IST
A microscopic tardigrade.Shutterstock
Tardigrades can survive in extreme environments, but a new study shows they re not indestructible.
Scientists found these creatures can t survive speeds of more than 2,000 mph when shot out of a gun.
Tardigrades have a reputation for being among the hardiest critters in the animal kingdom.
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The researchers shot canisters full of tardigrades out of a high-speed gun at various speeds to see if the creatures could survive the pressure of each resulting impact.