‘The Blob’, a slime mold with the scientific name Physarum polycephalum, is being sent to the International Space Station, where scientists are hoping to gain more knowledge of microgravity’s impacts on the organism’s growth and behavior towards food (primarily oats) and its environment.
Shortly after the Blob arrives at the ISS, European Space Agency astronaut Thomas Pesquet will have the honor of awakening it with a few drops of water. The blob will be then observed over a period of seven days before going into a dormant state.
Despite lacking a brain, the Blob is capable of performing basic cognitive tasks such as thinking, decision making, sleeping, learning, and even navigating mazes. Scientists have also observed the organism’s ability to adapt and communicate information to other slime molds.
The experiment will be broadcasted all over the world and students aged 10-18 years old from 5000 schools will participate by comparing their findings on Earth with those found in space. According to Evelyne Cortiade-Marché, head of the CNES education department, “[the] Blob is a unique experience that stimulates student curiosity about themes such as the impact of the environment on organisms and the development of living organisms.”
The Blob will be launched into space on August 10th alongside the Northrop Grumman’s 16th commercial resupply services mission. The Blob will also be joined by several other science experiments aboard the ISS.
Image: CBI/CRCA/CNES/CNRS PHOTOTHÈQUE/DAVID VILLA / SCIENCEIMAGE, 2021.
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