Science & Tech · Space · 2 hrs ago
Jellyfish born in space pulsed abnormally after returning to Earth
In June 1991, NASA flew moon jellyfish aboard the shuttle Columbia to study how they develop without gravity.
The experiment was led by Dorothy Spangenberg, who wanted to learn whether the animals’ gravity-sensing systems could form normally in orbit.
Some young jellyfish formed in space, and 18.3% pulsed abnormally after returning to Earth, compared with 2.9% of those that developed on the ground.
The young jellyfish looked similar to ground-raised ones, and their gravity-sensing organs appeared to develop, but their swimming movements differed.
The unusual pulsing may have reflected problems in gravity receptors, movement control, or the animals’ adjustment to Earth’s gravity.
The results suggest gravity can affect how young jellyfish function after spaceflight, though the experiment did not establish one cause for the abnormal pulsing.
NASA sent 2,478 moon jellyfish into orbit aboard the space shuttle Columbia in June 1991.
Some jellyfish formed in orbit and showed abnormal pulsing after returning to Earth.
Abnormal pulsing was recorded in 18.3 percent of the space-developed jellyfish, compared with 2.9 percent of those developed on the ground.
The experiment, led by Dorothy Spangenberg, examined whether jellyfish gravity sensors could form normally without gravity.
- Who
- NASA and a research team led by Dorothy Spangenberg of Eastern Virginia Medical School. The experiment involved moon jellyfish.
- What
- Jellyfish developed in orbit, and some pulsed abnormally after returning to Earth.
- When
- June 1991. Columbia launched on June 5 and landed on June 14.
- Where
- In orbit aboard the space shuttle Columbia, then back on Earth. Columbia landed at Edwards Air Force Base in California.
- Why
- The experiment aimed to learn whether jellyfish gravity sensors could form normally without gravity.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Columbia launched on the STS-40 mission carrying the jellyfish experiment.
Some young jellyfish formed in orbit.
Columbia landed at Edwards Air Force Base in California.
Some jellyfish that developed in orbit pulsed abnormally on Earth.
- Jellyfish carried
- 2,478 moon jellyfish
- Space shuttle
- Columbia
- Mission
- STS-40
- Launch date
- June 5, 1991
- Landing date
- June 14, 1991
- Abnormal pulsing
- 18.3% of space-developed jellyfish; 2.9% of ground-developed jellyfish