Nasa loses spider on International Space Station

News Type: Event — Seeded on Thu Nov 20, 2008 1:21 AM EST

Article Source: The Times

odd-news, space, nasa, international-space-station, spiders, orb-weavers

Astronauts were hunting for a missing party guest as they prepared to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the International Space Station.

One of two spiders sent to the orbiting laboratory aboard the space shuttle Endeavour last week was added to the lost property list after the crew checked its tank and found it empty.

Anxious to quash fears that the absent arachnid may be marauding around the space station, Nasa managers insisted that the second orb-weaver was not exactly lost, it just couldn't be found.

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{"commentId":4151157,"authorDomain":"posttal"}

posttal

Spiderman,Spiderman, does whatever a spider can..........................

{"commentId":4151157,"threadId":"424773","contentId":"2130969","authorDomain":"posttal"}

1 vote

#1 - Fri Nov 21, 2008 7:37 AM EST

{"commentId":4152327,"authorDomain":"gtkaren"}

Ezzy

The first species to get the chance to evolve in naturaly in space! Cool!

{"commentId":4152327,"threadId":"424773","contentId":"2130969","authorDomain":"gtkaren"}

#2 - Fri Nov 21, 2008 9:44 AM EST

{"commentId":4152604,"authorDomain":"thms-brent"}

ThomasTheGreat

Maybe the spider was in the tool bag that floated away......

{"commentId":4152604,"threadId":"424773","contentId":"2130969","authorDomain":"thms-brent"}

2 votes

#3 - Fri Nov 21, 2008 10:03 AM EST

{"commentId":4164768,"authorDomain":"mbanneh"}

Mary from FLA

Oh trust me the spider knows where the tool bag is, hes probably in it.

{"commentId":4164768,"threadId":"424773","contentId":"2130969","authorDomain":"mbanneh"}

1 vote

#3.1 - Sat Nov 22, 2008 5:53 AM EST

{"commentId":4152644,"authorDomain":"mustache"}

jfmh-738484

DAAA If you can't find it is LOST

{"commentId":4152644,"threadId":"424773","contentId":"2130969","authorDomain":"mustache"}

#4 - Fri Nov 21, 2008 10:06 AM EST

{"commentId":4157751,"authorDomain":"userafw"}

userafw

If it made it to the space station, they will find it when it gets big enough.......

unless it dies off for lack of food

{"commentId":4157751,"threadId":"424773","contentId":"2130969","authorDomain":"userafw"}

#5 - Fri Nov 21, 2008 3:18 PM EST

{"commentId":4157928,"authorDomain":"redwolf"}

Red Wolf

The spiders were brought in via the space shuttle for experimentations on web building in zero gravity.

{"commentId":4157928,"threadId":"424773","contentId":"2130969","authorDomain":"redwolf"}

2 votes

#5.1 - Fri Nov 21, 2008 3:28 PM EST

{"commentId":4158380,"authorDomain":"spdklls7"}

speedkills

They should now plug an electronic pest repeller in every room of the international space station and spray all the corners with bug spray.

{"commentId":4158380,"threadId":"424773","contentId":"2130969","authorDomain":"spdklls7"}

#6 - Fri Nov 21, 2008 3:54 PM EST

{"commentId":4160127,"authorDomain":"redwolf"}

Red Wolf

Bug spray doesn't work that well on spiders. Insects constantly groom themselves and ingest it, spiders don't. You really need to get them in the mouth for it to have an effect.

My mother has still not learned this lesson after emptying several cans of bug spray on a funnel web spider and still having it come after her. She's done this on more than one occasional, but seems to prefer the useless chemical attack from a safe distance to the guaranteed to work assault by shoe that requires you to get a little more up close and personal.

{"commentId":4160127,"threadId":"424773","contentId":"2130969","authorDomain":"redwolf"}

2 votes

#6.1 - Fri Nov 21, 2008 5:53 PM EST

{"commentId":4161286,"authorDomain":"quinnwr"}

Dubbya R

Next time she sprays, have her hold a lit match in front of the can's nozzle. Impromptu flame-thrower....toasted Funnel-Web spider, and she keeps her 'safe distance'.

No. Don't ask how I learned to do this. Or why.

Aren't Funnel-Web Spiders highly poisonous?

{"commentId":4161286,"threadId":"424773","contentId":"2130969","authorDomain":"quinnwr"}

2 votes

#6.2 - Fri Nov 21, 2008 7:38 PM EST

{"commentId":4161667,"authorDomain":"redwolf"}

Red Wolf

Yeah, funnel webs have been known to kill people.

I'd be surprised if Mum didn't already know about techniques for converting bug spray to flame throwers, she was the child from hell, but not such a great tactic inside the house.

Just thinking about this now that smoke alarms are everywhere, it would become the dance of attempt to flambe the spider,, then smack the screeching smoke detector into submission before launching another attack on the spider. I would have found this hilarious to watch as a kid.

{"commentId":4161667,"threadId":"424773","contentId":"2130969","authorDomain":"redwolf"}

2 votes

#6.3 - Fri Nov 21, 2008 8:20 PM EST

{"commentId":4160047,"authorDomain":"ostrichstealth"}

MrCerebellum

The spider probably found a face hugger, mated with it, and created a horrendous spider/alien hybrid. John Goodman will have to once again have to be called in to save the day - though he might want to confer with Sigourney Weaver.

{"commentId":4160047,"threadId":"424773","contentId":"2130969","authorDomain":"ostrichstealth"}

2 votes

#7 - Fri Nov 21, 2008 5:47 PM EST

{"commentId":4162753,"authorDomain":"melinda-davis01"}

SCORPION-617125

It just wants to get home, so open the door and let it out!

{"commentId":4162753,"threadId":"424773","contentId":"2130969","authorDomain":"melinda-davis01"}

2 votes

#8 - Fri Nov 21, 2008 10:12 PM EST

{"commentId":4164291,"authorDomain":"kkhamjani"}

AmImissingSomething?

Nasa managers insisted that the second orb-weaver was not exactly lost, it just couldn’t be found.

precisely! ... the spider knows exactly where it is

{"commentId":4164291,"threadId":"424773","contentId":"2130969","authorDomain":"kkhamjani"}

1 vote

#9 - Sat Nov 22, 2008 2:23 AM EST

{"commentId":4164761,"authorDomain":"mbanneh"}

Mary from FLA

quick, get the bug spray.

Sorry couldn't help it.

{"commentId":4164761,"threadId":"424773","contentId":"2130969","authorDomain":"mbanneh"}

#10 - Sat Nov 22, 2008 5:50 AM EST

{"commentId":4165698,"authorDomain":"descolada-virus"}

Lord Luc

Space Project Casualty List:
1 Spider MIA.

{"commentId":4165698,"threadId":"424773","contentId":"2130969","authorDomain":"descolada-virus"}

1 vote

#11 - Sat Nov 22, 2008 9:24 AM EST

{"commentId":4165990,"authorDomain":"skypilot007me"}

Frank from Ohio

Maybe they will get lucky and it will land on that idiot womens face that lost the tool bag,then they can get a shoe and smash it!Problem solved!

{"commentId":4165990,"threadId":"424773","contentId":"2130969","authorDomain":"skypilot007me"}

1 vote

#12 - Sat Nov 22, 2008 9:59 AM EST

{"commentId":4168087,"authorDomain":"mburns-08109"}

MarkB_08109

Hey, that's one expensive spider to lose, too!

...factoring in just the cost to launch it's body weight to orbit, and its cage, (and food)...

never mind the man-hours put into developing the experimental kit... all now potenailly lo$t.

{"commentId":4168087,"threadId":"424773","contentId":"2130969","authorDomain":"mburns-08109"}

1 vote

#13 - Sat Nov 22, 2008 1:22 PM EST

{"commentId":4171373,"authorDomain":"adam-geld"}

AdamGeld

It's very popular to mock NASA whenever they have the smallest mistake. But that is misguided, as they make no more mistakes than anyone else. I believe NASA is one of the most important, if not the most important, government agency that exists in the USA. There are few goals for humanity right now more important than expanding our physical presence outward to other habitable planets.

If you still wish to mock NASA's good meaning atempts to better our lives, consider that they have a very miniscule portion of the annual budget. Think about how many people die every day fighting wars for questionable reasoning, and then think about how many people die exploring space conducting research and working towards making sure we don't go extinct.

{"commentId":4171373,"threadId":"424773","contentId":"2130969","authorDomain":"adam-geld"}

2 votes

#14 - Sat Nov 22, 2008 7:27 PM EST

{"commentId":4172526,"authorDomain":"hn128n"}

concerndriver

The itcy bitcy SPIDER when up to Space. NASA lost it in outer space. Next SPIDER strikes International Space Station.

{"commentId":4172526,"threadId":"424773","contentId":"2130969","authorDomain":"hn128n"}

2 votes

#15 - Sat Nov 22, 2008 9:51 PM EST

{"commentId":4172590,"authorDomain":"pernese"}

Nancy -740827

I would just have to don my space suit, hope the spider wasn't there and go out into space and SOS the next rocket by - if by chance the spider thought my space suit was the palce to hide - major panic attack and one lost space goer --- make that two!

{"commentId":4172590,"threadId":"424773","contentId":"2130969","authorDomain":"pernese"}

1 vote

#16 - Sat Nov 22, 2008 9:58 PM EST

{"commentId":4172925,"authorDomain":"marchucka"}

Charles Ambrogio

put a map of space up with x on it to show the spider where he is

{"commentId":4172925,"threadId":"424773","contentId":"2130969","authorDomain":"marchucka"}

#17 - Sat Nov 22, 2008 10:39 PM EST

{"commentId":4172935,"authorDomain":"rdhanson1"}

rick d-740866

Hate to guess what that spider cost.....

{"commentId":4172935,"threadId":"424773","contentId":"2130969","authorDomain":"rdhanson1"}

1 vote

#18 - Sat Nov 22, 2008 10:39 PM EST

{"commentId":4173015,"authorDomain":"kkhamjani"}

AmImissingSomething?

I'd have no problem with it whatsoever if they decided to ship all the spiders up there, and left them... better there than here... I personally don't care what the environmentalists have to say about this one bit... I can live perfectly well without the ugly critters, thanks.

{"commentId":4173015,"threadId":"424773","contentId":"2130969","authorDomain":"kkhamjani"}

1 vote

#19 - Sat Nov 22, 2008 10:51 PM EST

{"commentId":4173028,"authorDomain":"redwolf"}

Red Wolf

Spiders are cool. They eat the bugs that want to eat you.

{"commentId":4173028,"threadId":"424773","contentId":"2130969","authorDomain":"redwolf"}

2 votes

#19.1 - Sat Nov 22, 2008 10:53 PM EST

{"commentId":4173315,"authorDomain":"kkhamjani"}

AmImissingSomething?

lizards are better... they eat the spiders that eat the bugs that want to eat me

{"commentId":4173315,"threadId":"424773","contentId":"2130969","authorDomain":"kkhamjani"}

1 vote

#19.2 - Sat Nov 22, 2008 11:35 PM EST

{"commentId":4173372,"authorDomain":"redwolf"}

Red Wolf

But if there're no spiders, you lose the lizards. They need their spidey-snacks!

{"commentId":4173372,"threadId":"424773","contentId":"2130969","authorDomain":"redwolf"}

1 vote

#19.3 - Sat Nov 22, 2008 11:42 PM EST

{"commentId":4179012,"authorDomain":"kkhamjani"}

AmImissingSomething?

ok, u won

{"commentId":4179012,"threadId":"424773","contentId":"2130969","authorDomain":"kkhamjani"}

1 vote

#19.4 - Sun Nov 23, 2008 5:20 PM EST

{"commentId":4182770,"authorDomain":"redwolf"}

Red Wolf

Stock up on geckos just to be safe.

I remember an odd story from way back about a craze of New York apartment dwellers keeping geckos to keep rampant cockroaches at bay. They're adorable and they'll earn their keep.

{"commentId":4182770,"threadId":"424773","contentId":"2130969","authorDomain":"redwolf"}

1 vote

#19.5 - Mon Nov 24, 2008 3:09 AM EST

{"commentId":4188978,"authorDomain":"kkhamjani"}

AmImissingSomething?

yep, those geckos are great.. I live in AZ, and they aren't much use against the big boy whopper roaches we've got here (up to 2-3 inches)... but the little lizards can eat their weight's worth in spiders, mosquitos, and all the smaller creepie-crawlies

{"commentId":4188978,"threadId":"424773","contentId":"2130969","authorDomain":"kkhamjani"}

1 vote

#19.6 - Mon Nov 24, 2008 4:13 PM EST

{"commentId":4173206,"authorDomain":"marchucka"}

Charles Ambrogio

Put a map of space up with an x on to tell the spider where he is then we can find him.

{"commentId":4173206,"threadId":"424773","contentId":"2130969","authorDomain":"marchucka"}

1 vote

#20 - Sat Nov 22, 2008 11:21 PM EST

{"commentId":4173683,"authorDomain":"bigjohnson0"}

BIG JOHNSON

Brake clean or carb spray will kill that spider if they can find it !

{"commentId":4173683,"threadId":"424773","contentId":"2130969","authorDomain":"bigjohnson0"}

#21 - Sun Nov 23, 2008 12:34 AM EST

{"commentId":4173828,"authorDomain":"TheElder"}

The Elder

Find a fly, find the spider, simply!

{"commentId":4173828,"threadId":"424773","contentId":"2130969","authorDomain":"TheElder"}

1 vote

#22 - Sun Nov 23, 2008 1:02 AM EST

{"commentId":4173844,"authorDomain":"TheElder"}

The Elder

Houston, we have a bug in the system!

{"commentId":4173844,"threadId":"424773","contentId":"2130969","authorDomain":"TheElder"}

1 vote

#23 - Sun Nov 23, 2008 1:05 AM EST

{"commentId":4173871,"authorDomain":"TheElder"}

The Elder

First snakes on a plane, now spiders on a rocket. Go figure.

{"commentId":4173871,"threadId":"424773","contentId":"2130969","authorDomain":"TheElder"}

1 vote

#24 - Sun Nov 23, 2008 1:09 AM EST

{"commentId":4173969,"authorDomain":"k4rlgruen"}

arachnophile

Just listen for the tiny 'weeeeeee yipeeeeee' sounds or little bits of space sick spider puke.

A spider in free fall is an interesting concept. GO Nasa!

{"commentId":4173969,"threadId":"424773","contentId":"2130969","authorDomain":"k4rlgruen"}

1 vote

#25 - Sun Nov 23, 2008 1:28 AM EST

{"commentId":4179031,"authorDomain":"kkhamjani"}

AmImissingSomething?

arachnophile, sounds like you've heard sick little spidies puking before? good ears!

{"commentId":4179031,"threadId":"424773","contentId":"2130969","authorDomain":"kkhamjani"}

1 vote

#25.1 - Sun Nov 23, 2008 5:22 PM EST

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Nasa loses spider on International Space Station

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