Aquatic Life in Space Habitats

Forget science fiction! For decades, fish have been making the journey to space, serving as invaluable models for understanding how microgravity and radiation affect living organisms, including humans. From early experiments on Skylab to advanced habitats on the International Space Station (ISS) and China’s Tiangong, researchers use species like medaka and zebrafish to study everything from bone density loss and muscle atrophy to genetic changes and developmental biology. But keeping fish in zero gravity isn’t easy; it requires highly automated, sealed habitats with innovative life support systems for water containment, filtration, and feeding. Join us as we dive into the surprising reality of fish tanks in space, exploring the challenges, the cutting-edge technology, and the crucial insights gained from these aquatic pioneers orbiting Earth.