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[WillowLuman]

So I noticed that there seems to be no thread dedicated entirely to discussing space. So I made one, since I feel it's a broad enough topic not to be contained to some kind of umbrella all-purpose science thread.

Feel free to discuss:
-Space exploration
-Space technology
-Space in culture
-Personal opionions and speculations about space
-Etc.

Naturally, forum rules/guidelines and common courtesy applies.

To start off:

I've always wondered how birds would do in microgravity. They're probably equipped to maneuver around much better than other animals, but they might also be especially vulnerable to bone loss, what with the hollow skeleton and all. Problem is, no one's ever bothered taking live birds into space, except for embryos, because of hygiene problems. I'm going to guess that's because they're fairly messy eliminators, and the molting could be a problem.

They've kept mice and such in space for extended periods, though, so I imagine similar containers could deal with loose feathers. As for the guano, maybe some kind of bird diaper?

[LordSlowpoke]

why did we not have the useful idiots in the various militaries of the world tell us that there are enemies in space so we can go look for them

[Duuvian]

why did we not have the useful idiots in the various militaries of the world tell us that there are enemies in space so we can go look for them

Hah, I like you LordSlowpoke.

[MetalSlimeHunt]

I've always wondered how birds would do in microgravity.

Wonder no longer.

[WillowLuman]

I've always wondered how birds would do in microgravity.

Wonder no longer.

That's in a tumbling aircraft.

[MetalSlimeHunt]

I've always wondered how birds would do in microgravity.

Wonder no longer.

That's in a tumbling aircraft.

It's microgravity all the same.

[Mictlantecuhtli]

Posting from my room in the ISS.

I've always wondered how birds would do in microgravity.

Wonder no longer.

That's in a tumbling aircraft.

It's microgravity all the same.

Warning: do not read the video comments, you will explode from the overload of antiscience.

[WillowLuman]

That's in a tumbling aircraft.

It's microgravity all the same.

Not a very long-lasting microgravity. The birds don't have time to adjust to the new conditions. It's not like studying them in actual orbit.

[MetalSlimeHunt]

That assumes that they can adjust, which they might not be able to. Point is, you wondered how birds would do, and I posted the existing information on the subject.

[WillowLuman]

It's just not very useful information. Studies done on mammals, fish, insects, and reptiles in sustained microgravity show that they can adjust surprisingly well, so it's not that much of a leap to assume birds could. It's just never been tried because of the problems of unsanitary liquids floating around. On a 45-minute aircraft flight, though, they just tumble around frantically. The humans would do the same if they hadn't been trained for it.

Thanks anyways, though. Specific videos for space stuff can be hard to find for some reason.

[Mephansteras]

Hmm. Wish I could remember the SF story I read one time that had a bird living in a space station. The Author predicted that the bird would eventually get used to springing off of things and using its wings to direct its flight and slow down before landing.

Would be fascinating to see how birds flew in a microgravity after an extended period of time. Although the bone loss issue could certainly be a problem.

[10ebbor10]

Additionally, the ISS isn't exactly that spacious.

Also:

Spoiler: Moss (click to show/hide)

Spoiler: Space News (Euro edition) (click to show/hide)

Following titles might be slightly dramatized and completely uninformative
ESA defends independence from Commision
ESA groundstation makes lightspeed communications with NASA probe 
Mars in 3D
Robots
Mars in a can

[WillowLuman]

It's got enough room to test a small bird in a decently sized container, though. A bird in microgravity should be able to change direction, accelerate, and decelerate mid-flight, just like on Earth, but without having to expend more energy to stay "aloft".

But no one wants to deal with involuntarily controlled liquid waste. So no birds in space in the near future

We can barely deal with bleeding in microgravity...

[Mephansteras]

I guess they could send up a parrot or the like that has been toilet trained to only go in a specific area. It's quite doable, and if they have an area set up to handle the waste, like a constant slight vacuuming effect in a chamber, it would help stop those problems.

[10ebbor10]

If you can put a bird in a decently sized container, you sure as hell can put a glass plate in it to keep the smell  and waste out. Point is, that little to be learned from putting a bird in such a small box. Nothing worth the price, anyway. (Also birds and fragile bones are kind-off synonymous. Not sure if they'd get through launch intact.)

Oh, and bleeding in microgravity is more of a medical problem than a technical problem. I mean, they had worse leaks up there without too much damage.