This brief overview video explains the basics of the experiment, and it includes commentary from scientists here on Earth and NASA astronaut, Mike Hopkins, from aboard the ISS.
Ants in Space
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NASA video of ant habitats 1-8 from the Ants in Space experiment aboard the International Space Station can be found below. The experiments were conducted on January 13, 2014.
The Ants in Space videos consist of two sets of data, one from the ISS-based experiments and one from the Earth-based comparison investigations.
Eight duplicate habitats on the International Space Station contained approximately 80 ants each. A similar set of ground-based habitats were set up and observed as a comparison. In both environments (microgravity aboard ISS and regular gravity on Earth), partitions in the habitats were opened at various times to enlarge the ants’ exploration areas. Each exploration period was approximately 25 minutes.
Videos marked with the term "Ground HAB" show the comparison habitats, in which the ants experienced normal gravity. Videos marked "HAB" are of habitats on the Space Station, in which the ants experienced microgravity.
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Overview: Ants in Space
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This brief overview video explains the basics of the experiment, and it includes commentary from scientists here on Earth and NASA astronaut, Mike Hopkins, from aboard the ISS.
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Source Video: ISS Ant Habitats 1-8
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Complete and unedited source video as it was sent by NASA of all of the Ants in Space habitats.
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ISS Ant Habitats
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NASA video of ant habitats 1–8 from the Ants in Space experiment aboard the International Space Station.
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Ground-Control Ant Habitats
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Earth-based comparison investigations of five ant habitats.
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Ants In Space Habitat
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Instructions on how to build ant habitats for the classroom.
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Ant Search Patterns
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NASA Interview with biologist Deborah Gordon, PhD, who is the principal investigator for the Ants in Space experiment aboard the International Space Station.
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Cygnus supply mission launch
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Orbital Sciences Corporation's Antares rocket launched from Pad 0A at the Wallops Flight Facility, Va. to send the company's Cygnus cargo ship on a its first supply mission to the International Space Station.
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Space Station Live: Science Aboard Cygnus
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Tara Rutley from JSC talks about science on the Cygnus—including Ants in Space.
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Ants Gone Wild!
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Time-lapse: Ants in Space/Ants on Earth. Footage of the Ants in Space experiment on the ISS, alongside footage of an Earth-based control experiment.
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Motion trails: Ant Experiments time-lapse
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Time-lapse: Ants in Space/Ants on Earth with a twist. Footage of the Ants experiment with an effect that shows the motion trail of the ants for a short amount of time as they explore their habitat.
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Time-lapse: Ants in Space Compared to Ants on Earth
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View the ant experiments in fast motion! Featuring video of habitats aboard the ISS and from ground control here on earth.
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Ants Loaded in Habitat
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Video of the ants habitat loaded with ants for the experiment aboard the ISS.
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Ants in gel farm
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Watch ants as they live, interact and explore in a gel farm habitat.
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Ants in Space
Mission Page
Ants are able to coordinate their activities, even though no single ant (not even the queen) directs their behavior. How do they do it? Build your own ant habitat and compare the search behaviors of ants on Earth to those living on the ISS.