"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!

Science Will Prevail!

The research balloon carrying our experiment should launch on Friday at 8:30 a.m. Central time!

You can watch it with us live HERE!

Wish us luck, and keep your fingers crossed for no more rain!

Thank you for reading!

-Edith

Rain, Rain, go Away; We Want to Launch our Science Experiment!

Unfortunately, the launch of the research balloon has been postponed due to rain, but the good news is that Cubes in Space sent Julius and me some awesome pictures of the payload!

We think that our experiment is in compartment "C 2."

Off to the balloon!

Good Morning, Cactus!

They all look like normal cactus cuttings, but two of them have been to SPACE!

Yesterday, Julius and I put our cactus samples into pots! With the help of  Mr. Ryan C. from our local Lowes, we settled on some special potting soil, and these adorable terra cotta pots!

In our original proposal we had planned to use some soil from the area around the "Mother Cactus," but we amended this plan for several reasons, the main reason being that we have no clue what is in our local soil, and when we send our research to NASA it would be better if we can point them to something that has a well documented composition. That being said, there is another reason. A very scaly, scary, venomous reason.
When Julius and I were packing the cubes in May, we decided to get some extra pictures of the mother cactus for the blog. After a while I looked up from my camera to see Julius nearly step back onto a long tan "thing." That thing promptly MOVED, coiled up under a tree, and started RATTLING. Ah, Texas is just full of friendly critters! Needless to say, we ran one way, and the rattlesnake ran (slithered?) in the other.
After that, Julius, our teacher, and I decided that stomping through tall grass to dig underneath a giant cactus in the middle of the summer was not the best idea I had ever had...

Thank you for reading!

-Edith

"The Uber Sciencey Post" (A.K.A. the report for our teacher)

... As delivered by Dr. Tony the Cat, because cute cats make everything more interesting. :-)

We Have The Green Light, or Rather, A Green Cactus.

We are ready to move on to the next phase of our experiment, and our results so far have greatly exceeded our expectations.

Today we unpacked, measured, weighed, sorted, photographed, and re-packaged the cacti from the sounding rocket experiment cube and its control.

The control, although moldy, is not only still alive, but has started growing roots.

The two pieces of cactus that went to space have returned relatively unscathed. One has a spot that is rotting, and the other is in perfect condition. Both possess a vibrant green color, and we have high hopes for being able to revive all of the samples.

These results are much better than we had anticipated, as we had expected the cactus to be completely brown and dormant upon arrival. This places us slightly ahead of schedule, and puts us in a position to slowly reintroduce the samples to light over the upcoming week.

We will  post a more detailed report tomorrow, that will have pictures documenting the steps we took while unpacking the cactus, and provide some of our hypotheses for the changes we observed in the samples.

Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

Edith and Julius

Up Next: The Stratosphere!

Launch of a super pressure balloon in Antarctica.

Credits: NASA/Wallops Flight Facility

Today Julius and I learned that the research balloon carrying our second cactus experiment will launch on August 22nd! I am not sure wether this one will have a live-stream or not, but I will write a post when I know more!

Thank you for reading!

-Edith

Welcome Back to Earth Cactus!

Good Morning!

3.2.1. Launch!
Just a quick update to let y'all know that the rocket has lauched, spent approximately three minutes in space, and has now landed in the ocean, where NASA staff will be working to retrieve it.

All Systems GO! (again)

NASA has given the green light for launch tomorrow! The rocket will launch at 5:00 a.m. CST, and y'all can watch it live HERE.

May the coffee be with you, always.

Thank you for reading!

-Edith

Safety First

This morning Julius and I got an email from one of the organizers for Cubes in Space explaining why the flight was postponed, and I thought everyone here would find it interesting.

I am so very sorry to inform you that the launch has been scrubbed due to weather.  NASA felt the conditions tomorrow would not allow for a safe launch and recovery.  It is my understanding that this is primarily due to the high probability of lighting and difficult sea state.

Obviously this is beyond our control but we have always had contingency plans for something like this.  NASA will have another weather briefing today from 1 to 2 PM to decide if all looks good for Friday.  If it’s good, we will attempt to launch Friday at same time (6 AM).  If it is bad, we will have to think what to do next. 

Cheers,

Debbie

Julius and I have our fingers crossed that the weather will be good enough for launch tomorrow, but since the rocket will land in the ocean, safety comes first.

Thank you for reading!

-Edith

Houston, We've Had a Problem

Thank you for reading!

-Edith

All Systems GO!

Our experiment will be launched into space TOMORROW at 5:00 a.m. CST! For those of you that have strong coffee to combat the early hour, you can watch the launch live HERE.

Thank you for reading!

-Edith

So Exited!

Today Julius and I took a quick peek at our control cubes. Everything seems to be in order...

...the cactus has gone dormant, so there is no growth, and thanks to the gauze and our efforts to sterilize the gravel there is no mold.

Also, there are only seven days left  untill the launch of the sounding rocket! Julius and I can hardly wait!

Thank you for reading!

-Edith

Cactus Has Landed!

Just a quick update to let y'all know that the experiment cubes have safely arrived at the Cubes in Space headquarters!

Thank you for reading!

-Edith