"Further Research Required"

     219 days, thousands of miles traveled, a trip to space, and returning to Earth proved to be too much for our Research Balloon Cactus. Although this is disappointing, it is not unexpected, as even our control was unable to survive such a long time without light or water. However, our Sounding Rocket sample not only survived, but thrived, and is still growing happily along with its control.
     These experiments did answer our original question, namely, " if Texas Prickly Pear cactus (Opuntia engelmannii var. lindheimeri) can survive relatively unprotected space travel." The answer is yes. Texas Prickly Pear cactus can survive months away from light and water, being launched into space on a rocket, and returning tumultuously to Earth. However, we have discovered that flight in a research balloon, and possibly exposure to radiation, may kill cacti.
      For as many answers as it gave us, this experiment has also raised new questions. Would a different species of cacti endure space travel better? Would transporting whole pads, along with implementing measures to prevent mold, save more samples? Can cacti be genetically engineered to better survive relatively unprotected space travel?
    
     The questions are out there, and the Cactus in Space project is coming to a close. To whom it may concern, further research is required.

The (semi)Grand Unboxing

Well, the semester is finally over, and Julius and I are still breathing. Today, we were finally able to open the samples from the air balloon! Firstly, let's take a look at the control.

Like several of our samples, the research balloon control was plagued by mold, and is completely dried out and irrecoverable. Keep this in mind when viewing the rest of our results.

Now, on to the experiment!

When we opened the cube we were met with two things: mold and, surprisingly, slime. Yes, slime.

Interestingly similar to our sounding rocket cube, one sample was destroyed by mold, while the other seems to be mold-free. The moldy sample, on the left, was completely dried out, and there appeared to be some sort of black mold on one end. This was relatively expected, but the second sample was what truly surprised us. It appeared to be unaffected by mold, but the pad was rotten. There were remnants of the interior structure and skin, but the meat had turned to a slime-like consistency. Due to the fact that it was unaffected by mold, and the that it was still in the early stages of decomposition and still retaining some moisture, We hypothesize that the pad could have been killed by the radiation it was exposed to during its flight in space, but there are several other factors that could have caused its decomposition.

Since both of our samples are irrecoverable, the research balloon experiment ends here. However, we have learned that mold is more prevalent of a problem than we had earlier anticipated, killing  half of our samples, and that although hardy, Texas prickly pear cactus cannot survive radiation.

Delivery! Delivery!

The samples have finally arrived! Julius and I are really excited to open the samples. However, we must face the trials known as final exams. We’ll put up a post with some pictures as soon as we can.

It's Beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

As the holidays near, we have been keeping as busy as ever, but we are looking forward to Winter Break. However, the temperature has been falling a lot recently, so we’ve started putting the cacti into our garage when the temperature gets below freezing. Otherwise, the cacti are not just doing well; they are thriving! Our control piece from the sounding rocket has grown a new pad which is starting to grow its own spines! Rocket Sample #2 is also growing some impressive spines.

            In regards to our cacti samples from the air balloon, we have heard that the samples are somewhere in Palestine, Texas at the moment. We are really excited to see how they are doing. Alas, however, homework calls. We’ll put up a post when we get the samples!

The Massive Update Post

Weekly Update #5,6,7,8

We have had a few very eventful weeks here in Cactus land, and there is both good and bad news.

Firstly, the bad news:

Rocket Sample#1 is officially dead. We did our best to revive it, but the rot took too great of a toll.

Now for the good news!

The Rocket Control sample has started to grow new pads! They are extremely tiny right now, but you can see them on the bottom right tip of the sample. YAY!!!!!!!!!!

Also, the research balloon has launched form New Mexico, and landed somewhere in Texas. We are extremely excited to see how our second set of samples handled the trip!

P.S. Whew! The new semester has arrived, and with it comes a mountain of homework! Julius and I will update the blog as we can!

The Balloon Has Landed!

Launch! 2.0

Ladies and gentlemen, the research balloon has launched! Unfortunately, Julius and I were in class while it was launching, so we could not watch it live, but Cubes in Space has some awesome pictures of the launch that I want to share with y'all.