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Fruit flies are known for their physical structure, which is similar to that of humans. The changes that occur in these flies under zero gravity are expected to provide valuable insights for future manned space missions.
In 2025, these fruit flies will be sent into space aboard ISRO’s Gaganyaan spacecraft. The spacecraft will orbit the Earth in zero gravity for two to seven days before returning to the ocean near Gujarat. Scientists will closely monitor the changes in the sample kit during this period.
Dr. Ravikumar Hosamani, a young biologist from the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad, and his team have received accolades for their innovative model. This university is among the top 10 agricultural universities in India, known for its exceptional achievements in agricultural research and outcomes.
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- 70% of the physical structure of fruit flies is similar to that of humans.
- The changes in these flies in zero gravity can provide essential insights for space research.
- The kit has been prepared after two years of research and is worth Rs 78 lakh.
- The Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology, located in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, has developed the hardware kit.
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What is in the Study Kit?
- The kit contains 20 fruit flies, with an equal number of males and females.
- The flies will reproduce, and their food is prepared using semolina and jaggery, with sodium oxalate added.