Outlook grim for orbiting Russian zero-G sex geckos

[Dr. Strange]

Russian space agency Roscosmos issued a number of statements earlier today indicating that their Foton-M4 satellite is in trouble. According to Russian state-owned news agency ITAR-TASS, the scientific research satellite with its payload of experiments is still sending back telemetry, but it's unresponsive to commands sent from the ground. In a separate report, ITAR-TASS quotes a Roscosmos representative as saying that Foton-M4 is designed for "durable autonomous operation," but the lack of ground control jeopardizes the experiments slated to be carried out on board the Foton-M4—not to mention the health of its living cargo.

Foton-M4 was launched on July 19 carrying five geckos—small lizards that favor tropical and subtropical climates (and, apocryphally, sell insurance). The lucky lizards—one male and five females—were sent into their 575-kilometer low earth orbit in order to study the effect of microgravity on their reproductive habits, with scientists monitoring their behavior through a video downlink to the ground.

The lizards aren’t joining the 357-Mile High Club alone; the satellite is carrying an additional biological payload of flies, plant seeds, and assorted microorganisms, along with 850kg of scientific instrumentation to support 22 experiments.


http://arstechnica.com/science/2014/07/outlook-grim-for-orbiting-russian-zero-g-sex-geckos-2/

Hey, it was either here or in the Science Forum.

[shenmue]

1. Candlelight, Barry White music...

Let nature take its course.

[liberal N proud]

2. The Geckos are in control now

[kdmorris]

3. 100 years from now, they'll come back as Alien Overlords

and the entire human race will think they are from some "distant planet"

[47of74]

4. Oh my. Oh my my my. Well howdy-DO!