NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration

ISS Science Highlight: The Newest Addition to the ISS -- Caterpillars!

The Expedition 21 crew welcomed the latest addition to the ISS -- caterpillars! This precious cargo was delivered by the STS-129/ULF3 crew during their November 2009 mission to the ISS. The caterpillars, which are in various stages of larval development, are part of the CSI-03(Commercial Generic Bioprocessing Apparatus Science Insert - 03) investigation. This investigation is one in a series of educational experiments designed to accompany in-class experiments for teachers and students. CSI-03 follows the caterpillars from through their life stages starting as larvae until they emerge as butterflies.

CSI-03 is flying two butterfly habitats during this mission. The first contains four Vanessa cardui (commonly known as the Painted Lady butterfly) larvae which are six days old at the time of launch. The second habitat contains three Danaus plexippus (commonly known as the Monarch butterfly) larvae which are early in the 4th instar development stage. Approximately seven days after launch, both types of larvae should begin to pupate (pupa stage) where they remain in the chrysalis for seven to ten days. After the pupa stage, they will emerge as butterflies.

To follow the progression of the larvae into butterflies at www.bioedonline.org or www.orionsquest.org; both of these sites will be posting images daily. For additional status updates, check out @ButterflySpace on Twitter (http://twitter.com/ButterflySpace ).

More Information About Space Station Science Experiments

> Weekly Research Summaries
> Expedition 21 Experiments