Frequent fliers

Before astronaut Buzz Aldrin reached space there was another “buzz” that beat him to it. 

This buzz was not human. It was the sound of fruit flies – the first living creatures to cross the final frontier.   

As part of a research mission in 1947, the insects were transported aboard a V2 rocket. They travelled to an altitude of 109 kilometres into the sky, just past the point where space officially begins, before parachuting back to Earth.

Miniature astronauts

Fruit flies are genetic models for astronauts. Over the past seven decades, they have helped investigate a variety of questions such as the effect of space flight on aging, cardiovascular fitness, sleep, stress and more.  

Scientifically known as Drosophila Melanogaster, researchers have preferred these insects for biomedical and genetic studies for several reasons.

Genetically, fruit flies have a lot in common with humans. NASA’s Ames Research Centre says that about 77% of known human disease genes have a recognisable match in the genetic code of fruit flies, and 50% of fly protein sequences have mammalian analogues

In addition, the insects reproduce quickly, which allows researchers to study multiple generations in a short time, and their genome has been completely mapped.

While their first journeys into space were used to test survivability against radiation and the potential for sending humans into space, later, other aspects like living in weightlessness was examined.  

Outside of space research, fruit flies are also being used as a genetic model for several human diseases including Parkinson's and Huntington's. 

Passengers on multiples spaceflights

The insects have proven to be the perfect passengers for spaceflight for their compact size and relatively light weight. 

With the establishment of a dedicated “Fruit Fly Lab” at the International Space Station over a decade ago, these organisms have been orbiting Earth and helping scientists explore the complex effects of long-term spaceflight on human beings. The range of advantages include ranging from the biological effects of living beyond the pull of Earth's gravity to how immune systems react in outer space. 

India’s first crewed space flight Gaganyaan-1 will also carry fruit flies on its historic 2025 mission. Using the flies, Indian scientists want to probe how space travel affects the biology of living organisms, for instance, the implications for understanding kidney stone formation and its prevention in humans on Earth.

Australia will support India’s inspirational Human Spaceflight Program through its space tracking expertise.