COMMERCIAL GENERIC BIOPROCESSING APPARATUS SCIENCE INSERT-05: SPIDERS, FRUIT FLIES,
AND DIRECTIONAL PLANT GROWTH (CSI-05), THREE INVESTIGATIONS
Research Area: Classroom Versions of ISS Investigations
Expedition(s): 27- 30
Principal Investigator(s): ● Heike Winter-Sederoff, Ph., North Carolina State University,
Raleigh, North Carolina
● Louis S. Stodieck, PhD, University of Colorado, BioServe Space
Technologies, Boulder, Colorado
● Mark Stowe, Gainesville, Florida
● Mary Ann Hamilton, Butterfly Pavilion, Westminster, Colorado
● Paula Cushing, PhD, Denver Museum of Nature and Science,
Denver, Colorado
● Samuel Zschokke, PhD, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
● Sharmila Bhattacharya, PhD, NASA’s Ames Research Center,
Moffett Field, California
● Stefanie Countryman, University of Colorado, BioServe Space
Technologies, Boulder, Colorado
RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
Commercial Generic Bioprocessing Apparatus Science Insert - 05: Spiders, Fruit Flies, and
Directional Plant Growth (CSI-05) examines the long-duration orb-weaving characteristics of a
Nephila clavipes (golden orb-web spiders), the movement behavior of fruit flies, and the
thigmatropic (directional plant growth in response to a stimulus of direct contact), and
phototropic (directional plant growth in
response to a light source) responses that
occur during seed germination in
microgravity. CSI-05 utilizes the unique
microgravity environment of the
International Space Station (ISS) as part
of the K-12 classroom to encourage
learning and interest in science,
technology, engineering, and math
(STEM).
EARTH BENEFITS
CSI-05 influences children to continue
their education in STEM areas, which can
ultimately lead to related careers. This
promotes education of the next
generation of scientists, engineers, and
crew members for the future’s space
program.Nephila clavipes (golden orb spider) inside the Commercial
Generic Bioprocessing Apparatus Science Insert – 05 (CSI-05)
spider habitat aboard the International Space Station. NASA
image.