NASA Space Station On-Orbit Status 12 December 2019 – Preparing for Boeing’s Orbital Flight Test of the CST-100 Starliner

Status Report – Source: SpaceRefPosted December 13, 2019 5:26 PM

On-Orbit Status Report

NanoRacks Module-85: The crew transferred the Module-85 tubes (3) and inserted them into cold stowage. Microgravity Effect on Entomopathogenic Nematodes’ Ability to Find and Kill Insects (Module-85 Pheronym) tests the effects of microgravity on the movement and infection behavior of beneficial nematodes, which are used to control agricultural insect pests. The research looks at whether these nematodes can navigate through soil, infect insects and reproduce in space. It also looks at whether their symbiotic bacteria function normally in microgravity and has any effects on insect host physiology.

For more information about the experiment, visit the AstroNematode website.

To join the mission for biocontrol in Space and on Earth, contact schiller@pheronym.com or support the project visit the AstroNematode shop.

New Payloads From ISS National Lab Implementation Partner NanoRacks Launch to the ISS

December 16, 2019, by ISS360: THE ISS NATIONAL LAB BLOG

spxcrs19 launch river

When SpaceX’s 19th commercial resupply services mission launched to the International Space Station (ISS) earlier this month, it carried close to 5,700 pounds of research and supplies to the orbiting laboratory. Among this cargo were several payloads from investigators working with ISS U.S. National Laboratory Implementation Partner NanoRacks. These ISS National Lab-sponsored payloads including “An experiment from biotechnology startup Pheronym in collaboration with the United States Department of Agriculture studying microscopic worms that kill crop-harming insects.”

Read more about these payloads in this recent Space Newsfeed article.

For more information about the experiment, visit the AstroNematode website.

To join the mission contact schiller@pheronym.com or support the project visit the AstroNematode shop.

Pheronym is Among the Start-Ups in the World Agri-Tech Spotlight: Ones to Watch

Start-Ups in the World Agri-Tech Spotlight: Ones to Watch

The World Agri-Tech Innovation Summit takes place twice per year in San Francisco and London, generating valuable opportunities for networking, knowledge exchange and deal-making among its international delegation of agribusinesses, technology providers, entrepreneurs and investors. Pheronym is among them. Keep reading

Pheronym at the 2019 world Agrictech Technology Showcase

Dr. Fatma Kaplan is presenting Pheronym's technology and AstroNematode project.

Top left-hand corner, Dr. Fatma Kaplan, CEO of Pheronym, is presenting Pheronym’s technology and AstroNematode project.

Pheronym is among the alumni of successful start-ups who have presented at World Agri-Tech.

To see 2020’s presenting start-ups on March 17-18, 2020, in San Francisco, follow the link.

Composite Biopesticides

Technology innovations in the biopesticide market: Composite biopesticides are bee-friendly.

Nemastim + beneficial nematodes together make a composite biopesticide.

Nematodes successfully launched into space for first ever agricultural bio-control experiment on ISS

Hard-working beneficial nematodes are finally on their way to the International Space Station

SpaceX CRS 19 Dragon capsule approaches to the ISS
MERRITT ISLAND, FL, UNITED STATES, December 8, 2019 /EINPresswire.com/ — Pheronym, a bio-ag-tech pest control company, announced today that its first-ever agricultural bio-control experiment featuring beneficial nematodes is on its way to the International Space Station (ISS) U.S. National Laboratory after a successful launch today at the Kennedy Space Center. The nematodes were on a SpaceX Falcon9 rocket on December 5, 2019, launching the 21st Dragon spacecraft mission on its 19th commercial resupply delivery flight to the ISS. The science will focus on Pheronym’s breakthrough nematode bio-remediation technology and determine the impact that space travel has on the ability of beneficial nematodes to effectively manage pest control as well as other benefits for agriculture here on Earth. The nematodes reached the ISS on SpaceX Dragon capsule on Sunday, December 8 at 5:05 AM Eastern Time. “It’s a scientist’s dream come true.” — Dr. Fatma Kaplan, Project Director and CEO of Pheronym.  Keep reading.

 

 

On the Hunt: Studying Insect-Killing Worms in Space

ISS BLOG 360: December 10, 2019 By Anne Wainscott-Sargent

Experiments Hope to Bolster Nematodes’ Killer Instincts to Protect Crops

At a Glance

  • An ISS National Lab investigation from biotechnology startup Pheronym, in collaboration with the USDA, will examine how microgravity affects beneficial nematodes—tiny worms with bacteria in their gut that kill crop-harming insects.
  • A recent study found nematodes exposed to Pheronym’s patented pheromone extract were 28 percent to 78 percent more effective in controlling pecan weevils and black soldier flies than nonexposed nematodes.
  • Improving the pheromone’s efficacy could give growers a better tool to protect crops while reducing broad-spectrum chemical insecticide use.
  • In addition to benefitting crops on Earth, these environmentally safe worms could aid future crops grown in space.

Last week, a type of microscopic worm that kills crop-eating insects rocketed to the International Space Station (ISS) U.S. National Laboratory for an agricultural biocontrol experiment in space.  Keep Reading