This is a duplicate of the habitat flown for a butterfly metamorphosis experiment aboard space shuttle Columbia on the STS-93 mission in July 1999. This box was used in the ground control experiment conducted concurrently with the flight.
The habitat housed Painted Lady (Cynthia cardui) butterflies in different stages of development, as well as a food supply in the tray of circles. The habitat was enclosed in a larger environmental container that controlled light, temperature, and a video camera to record progress of the experiment. A team of high school students and their instructors developed the experiment to investigate the effect of weightlessness on the butterfly life cycle. The project was sponsored by SPACEHAB, Inc. BioServe Space Technologies manufactured the habitat and donated it to the Museum.
Display Status
This object is on display in Space Science at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA.
Object Details
Country of Origin
United States of America
Type
EQUIPMENT-Scientific Devices
Manufacturer
BioServe Space Technologies
Dimensions
3-D: 15.2 x 12.7 x 3.8cm (6 x 5 x 1 1/2 in.)
Materials
Plastic, metal
Inventory Number
A20000450000
Credit Line
Gift of BioServe Space Technologies
Data Source
National Air and Space Museum
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
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