Space medaka fish lay 43 eggs, hatch eight in orbit during Columbia mission
GS3Economy · S&T · Environment · Security· Space technology (ISRO, missions)· Prelims·
Why in news
The successful reproduction of medaka fish in orbit during the Columbia mission marks a milestone in understanding vertebrate biology in microgravity.
Background
In July 1994, four medaka fish (Cosmo, Genki, Yume, and Miki) were sent to the International Microgravity Laboratory (IML-2) on the Space Shuttle Columbia. They laid 43 eggs, 8 of which hatched in orbit, making them the first vertebrates to reproduce in space.
Facts for Prelims
- S&TMedaka fish (Oorinus latipes) are commonly used in biological research due to their rapid maturation.
- FactThe IML-2 mission lasted 15 days in space.
- S&TMicrogravity refers to the condition in which people or objects are in free fall or in orbit.
For Mains
Q. Discuss the significance of studying vertebrate reproduction in microgravity for long-duration human space missions and the challenges of biological adaptation in space.
Dimensions to cover in your answer
- biological implications of microgravity
- technological requirements for life support
- future of deep space exploration
Keywords: microgravity · vertebrate reproduction · space biology · biological adaptation
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