Ground control video of Habitat 1 from the Ants in Space experiment.
Ground-Control Ant Habitats
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Earth-based comparison investigations of five ant habitats.
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 was 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.
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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Ants in Space
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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.
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ISS Ant Habitats
Video
NASA video of ant habitats 1–8 from the Ants in Space experiment aboard the International Space Station.