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"Space, the final frontier," as famously coined in the opening of Star Trek, refers to a realm filled with endless wonder and exploration. Humanity is only beginning to uncover the secrets that lie beyond our atmosphere. Through sending countless probes and astronauts into the vastness of space, we aim to unravel the mysteries of the universe and our place within it.
While some of these space experiments may lead to significant discoveries, others might seem trivial in helping us grasp the true nature of the universe and its governing laws. So grab your astronaut ice cream and let’s take a look at ten seemingly pointless space experiments… that might just surprise you.
10. A Rose with a Different Fragrance
In 1998, NASA teamed up with International Flavors and Fragrances (IFF) to investigate how microgravity affects the scent of a rose. Their goal was to create a novel fragrance inspired by the results of this unique experiment.
It turns out that when a rose is exposed to microgravity, it alters the amount of volatile oils the flower produces. These oils are responsible for the rose’s fragrance. In space, the rose produced fewer oils, which completely transformed its scent.
Using the results of this experiment, IFF created a new perfume called "Zen" under Shiseido Cosmetics. After sending a rose into space, one can only imagine the R&D costs that IFF incurred.
9. A Silver Lining in a Tragedy
In 2003, the space shuttle Columbia tragically disintegrated during re-entry, resulting in the loss of all seven crew members. Amid the recovery efforts, teams found a preserved experiment containing nematode worms.
The survival of the worms was a groundbreaking discovery, demonstrating that life could endure landing on another planet without the protection of a spacecraft. This finding might also shed light on how life could spread throughout the galaxy.
Nematode worms continue to be sent to the International Space Station for ongoing experiments and observation to this day.
8. The Twins Study
What are the long-term effects of space travel? This is what researchers aim to uncover with the Twins Study. NASA has been studying astronaut Mark Kelly and his identical twin brother, Scott. Despite their brilliance, NASA’s experiment naming could use a bit more creativity.
Scott spent nearly a year aboard the International Space Station in microgravity. While Scott was floating in space, Mark remained on Earth, undergoing identical trials, allowing the 84 researchers involved in the study to observe how microgravity affected the human body.
As expected, since our bodies are designed for Earth's gravity and conditions, Scott experienced numerous changes. Some of these changes included:
- Reduced body mass
- Altered eye shape
- Overactive immune system
- Changes in chromosomes
When Scott returned to Earth, his body mostly recovered. Scientists hope this study will help humans better cope with the stress of space travel, but no public results have been shared yet. Finding astronaut twins must be quite a challenge.
7. Extreme Tether Ball
Placing a satellite into orbit is impressive enough, but attaching one to a 21-kilometer-long (13-mile) tether behind a shuttle might seem illogical to most people. Yet that was exactly what scientists intended to do; they wanted satellites to generate electricity as they were dragged through the Earth’s magnetic field by a space shuttle.
Both attempts were unsuccessful. The first shuttle only managed to release 840 feet of cable before it jammed. The second attempt in 1996 was closer to success; the shuttle Columbia released 12.2 miles of cable before it snapped, effectively flinging the satellite into deep space.
The tether cable had a thickness of only 2.54 millimeters (1/10th of an inch), yet it performed surprisingly well given its size. According to NASA, the system managed to generate electricity—about 3,500 volts and 0.5 amps. While it’s possible to generate green energy during launch, we may just need to use a stronger, thicker cable in the future.
6. Growing Plants in Space
Anyone who has seen the movie The Martian, starring Matt Damon, can understand the theoretical significance of this experiment. If humanity is ever to colonize Mars, we’ll need to grow our own food. This is the core goal of understanding how to grow fruits and vegetables in space.
Think back to what happened to sailors who didn’t get enough vitamin C—they developed scurvy because they couldn’t store fresh produce on their ships. So far, scientists have only been able to grow limited varieties such as lettuce, cabbage, kale, mustard, and flowers. Ultimately, they aim to cultivate a broader range of vegetables and fruits, as having plants aboard would even lift the astronauts’ spirits.
5. The Water Walls Experiment
The Water Walls experiment (such an intriguing name, right?) aims to investigate how water behaves in microgravity. The experiment uses a system of water-filled "bags" to form walls of water, which astronauts can use for various tasks.
Engineers hope this system could eventually replace some or all of the essential life support systems currently in use. They envision bags for gray water, black water, air purification, edible algae, and even shielding astronauts from space radiation.
The most exciting part is that if successful, it could significantly reduce the mechanical and technical equipment needed for today’s life support systems. The only mechanical component required for the water walls would be water pumps to move the liquid as needed.
4. Mighty Mouse Isn’t Fiction Anymore
An experiment involving genetically altered “mighty mice” is sure to pique anyone’s interest. These mice were genetically modified to have twice the muscle mass of ordinary mice.
The experiment aimed to examine how microgravity affects muscle and bone loss. The results showed that after 33 days in space, the genetically enhanced mighty mice experienced no muscle or bone mass loss, while the regular space mice lost about 18% of theirs during the same period.
With these findings, scientists are hopeful they can assist both Earth-bound individuals and astronauts dealing with muscle loss due to disease or low gravity. However, according to geneticist Se-Jin Lee, human trials are still years away.
3. The Human Genome Project
The Human Genome Project is an ongoing initiative aimed at mapping the entire human genome. With approximately 3 billion genetic letters in human DNA, it took years for scientists to consider the project a success. In 2003, after 13 years of progress, scientists completed 92% of the mapping, declaring it complete. It wasn’t until another 14 years passed that the human genome was fully mapped.
The project has been, and remains, crucial for various reasons. It has helped scientists understand the genetic causes of diseases, led to the creation of improved treatments for illnesses, and even shed light on the future path of human evolution.
Some geneticists argue that mapping the human genome is crucial for ensuring the survival of humanity. Christopher Mason, the lead geneticist for the aforementioned Twin Study, believes that this map will allow us to modify humans and other species to better withstand the challenges of space exploration.
2. The Ice Crystal Experiment
The Ice Crystal experiment explores how ice crystals form in space. You might be thinking, 'Ice is ice—water freezes when it gets cold, and space is cold, so what's the difference?' While that’s true on a basic level, the way ice forms and behaves in space is different from how it acts on Earth.
Why does this matter? Because understanding this phenomenon could help us identify planets or other celestial bodies with water, and determine if life could survive there. After all, water is essential for life, at least as far as we know.
As you’ve likely noticed, most experiments are focused on long-term space travel or potential colonies. The Ice Crystal experiment is no different; finding celestial objects with sufficient water to support life could make the galaxy feel a little more accessible.
1. The Fire Experiment
One of the most dangerous scenarios aboard a spaceship is a fire, as it can quickly spread and destroy critical systems. To prevent this catastrophe, NASA has devised a plan to deliberately ignite the International Space Station (ISS). Yes, you read that correctly.
This initiative is called SoFIE, which stands for Solid Fuel Ignition and Extinction. The experiments will take place in the ISS’s combustion rack. The goal is to understand how fire behaves with different materials in low gravity, ultimately enabling safe lunar and Martian colonies by minimizing fire risks that could otherwise obliterate everything.
