Pig Sperm in Space 55

Posted by timothy on Monday July 18, 2005 @01:53PM from the aim-high dept.

Spitfire15 writes "China is planning to study the effects of space on sperm, by sending the semen from pedigree pigs into orbit. Some 40 grams of pig sperm will be taken on board the Shenzhou VI spacecraft for its October launch. Some of the sperm will be kept outside the spacecraft's biological capsule and some inside, according to China's Xinhua news agency. Surviving sperm will be returned to Earth and used to understand better the processes involved in pig reproduction."

Pig Sperm in Space

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Cue the bad puns (Score:4, Funny)

by BlackCobra43 ( 596714 ) writes: on Monday July 18, 2005 @01:55PM (#13096488)

about "porking in space"

- Re:Cue the bad puns (Score:5, Funny)
  
  by daeley ( 126313 ) writes: on Monday July 18, 2005 @02:07PM (#13096658) Homepage
  
  Q. How does the Chinese Space Program find a lost capsule?
  
  A. By using a homing bacon.
  
  Q. How does China Mission Control talk to its astronauts?
  
  A. Ham radio.
  
  Q. What will the first Chinese station be called?
  
  A. Deep Space Swine.
  
  - Re:Cue the bad puns (Score:1)
    
    by whidbey island geek ( 812051 ) writes:
    
    I am sure there is some sort of "Makin' Bacon" joke in there too but I can't seem to find it right now.
  - Re:Cue the bad puns (Score:2)
    
    by Skeezix ( 14602 ) writes:
    
    Stop hogging all the karma.
    - Re:Cue the bad puns (Score:2)
      
      by rbarreira ( 836272 ) writes:
      
      Funny mods don't give you karma. Err, your ID is so low I doubt you didn't know this already :)
- Re:Cue the bad puns (Score:2, Funny)
  
  by Seumas ( 6865 ) * writes:
  
  These space agencies wouldn't have such horrible budget crunches if they would just cut the pork from their space programs.
- Re:Cue the bad puns (Score:2, Funny)
  
  by vettemph ( 540399 ) writes:
  
  Did anyone else just picture Ms. Piggy wiping off her chin?
... Uh... (Score:1)

by deemaunik ( 699970 ) writes:

... Why... ?
- Re:... Uh... (Score:4, Insightful)
  
  by SDMX ( 668380 ) writes: on Monday July 18, 2005 @02:11PM (#13096707)
  
  More than likely to study the ability of mammals to reproduce in a zero-gravity environment. As if the concept of having sex in 0G wasn't hard enough, think about those poor sperm! Since it's thought that they use gravity to tell which way to swim in the vaginal canal, this might seriously impede the ability to impregnate or reproduce in space.
  
  You know, should we get there without artificial gravity.
  
  - Re:... Uh... (Score:2, Funny)
    
    by Cornflake917 ( 515940 ) writes:
    
    You've brought up a very important point. Being able to reproduce in space is extremely vital to our future. I suggest that NASA does extensive research on this. I would gladly volunteer myself and Lindsay Lohan as test subjects.
    
    I wonder if there any astronauts that are in the 0G club.
- Re:... Uh... (Score:2)
  
  by Mr2cents ( 323101 ) writes:
  
  They have done it before with seeds, but besides some lucky mutations due to space radiation, I can't see why the resulting crops should be more productive. If you want lots of mutations, it would seem a lot cheaper to irradiate it on earth, so my guess is that the gain is purely psychological, in that people would gladly eat "space crops", but wouldn't touch "radio-active crops".
  
  The bottomline is, I don't think it's a very effective way to try and get new species (disclaimer: gut feeling).
One question (Score:5, Funny)

by Fr05t ( 69968 ) writes: on Monday July 18, 2005 @02:02PM (#13096595)

"by sending the semen from pedigree pigs into orbit."

Are these the capitalist breed of pig?

- Re:One question (Score:2)
  
  by Josh Booth ( 588074 ) writes:
  
  "Ha ha, charade you are!"
  Pink Floyd -- Pigs (Three Different Ones)
Uh oh! (Score:2, Funny)

by Anonymous Coward writes:

Looks like anyone who promised to do something 'When pigs fly!' might be in alot of trouble.
I didn't submit this, but if I had... (Score:4, Funny)

by yotto ( 590067 ) writes: on Monday July 18, 2005 @02:05PM (#13096631) Homepage

It would have had a funnier headline.

Pig's... Sperm... In... Spaaaaaaace!

DON'T DO IT (Score:1)

by youknowmewell ( 754551 ) writes:

My God, they are sending sperm into space! What is wrong with these people, haven't they seen the fantastic four yet? Geez, do we really need sperm that has been mutated by high-radiation exposure to be brought down from space?
and I thought WE were bored (Score:2)

by VolciMaster ( 821873 ) writes:

just gotta ask, what on God's green earth does this accomplish? (or God's black space, since it is in orbit.) Are they planning on breeding pigs in space now? (And do they need permission from the Henson if they do?)
- Re:and I thought WE were bored (Score:3, Insightful)
  
  by MindStalker ( 22827 ) writes:
  
  Its not about PIGS per say, but more about sperm in general tolerances for space. There are a lot of stuff to learn and why not. Assuming this is a small research addon to an existing mission.
  - Space radiation effects on DNA (Score:3, Insightful)
    
    by spineboy ( 22918 ) writes:
    
    Probably since the pig sperm provides a concentrated source of mamalian DNA, it will provide a reasonable representation of the effects of space radiation on DNA. Note that DNA in humans is much more than just DNA - it has many regulatory proteins, folding proteins, etc all attached and/or associated with it. It also has areas that are methylated (inactivating) it.
    Journalists often protray scientific experiments as if the scientists are sitting around in rooms with low O2 concentrations, smoking crack, co
  - Re:and I thought WE were bored (Score:1)
    
    by ElfKnight ( 212040 ) writes:
    
    Its not about PIGS per say, but more about sperm in general tolerances for space.
    
    Pigs are convenient, in that, well, how can I put this...according to a vet friend, pigs have an impressive, er, volume.
Why bother with a ship? (Score:3, Funny)

by AtariAmarok ( 451306 ) writes: on Monday July 18, 2005 @02:09PM (#13096677)

You'd think that they could generally-engineered super pig that could fire the stuff into orbit while standing on the ground.

- Re:Why bother with a ship? (Score:2)
  
  by turtled ( 845180 ) writes:
  
  Cue in the gross puking Asian poopoo peepee (pig) sperm porn.
Bottom of page (Score:1)

by youknowmewell ( 754551 ) writes:

Science is what happens when preconception meets verification.

Somehow this seems relevant to the article. Maybe we should start a discussion about when life truly starts?
Re-entry burn... (Score:1)

by FrontalLobe ( 897758 ) writes:

So if pigs re-enter the earths atmosphere at sub-orbital speeds, that would make for some fine crispy bacon, just the way I like it.
- Re:Re-entry burn... (Score:1)
  
  by rylin ( 688457 ) writes:
  
  Wouldn't pigs re-entering Earth's atmosphere count as flying pigs, sort of?
fertility in space (Score:1)

by beowulfy ( 897757 ) writes:

So...if the sperm does better in zero gravity, will this lead to a whole new business segment for fertility clinics? I can see whole fleets of 747's diving in the air to simulate zero gravity, while couples desperately seeking children try it on the 'sperm comet'. That might be fun, even if your not trying to conceive...
So does this mean... (Score:4, Funny)

by jasonmicron ( 807603 ) writes: on Monday July 18, 2005 @02:29PM (#13096904)

So does this mean that China will start conducting the meaningless and irrelevant scientific studies so that America and Russia can get back to exploring the cosmos?

/Hopes so

The Muppet Show, Chinese Spin-off (Score:1)

by Arzach ( 692634 ) writes:

First thing I thought of when I read the title was whether the Muppet Show had ever been voiced over in Chinese...
- Re:The Muppet Show, Chinese Spin-off (Score:2)
  
  by mister_llah ( 891540 ) writes:
  
  It'll be the Mega Extra Super Deformed Happy Pigs in Space Fun Hour, oh!
- Re:The Muppet Show, Chinese Spin-off (Score:2)
  
  by nocomment ( 239368 ) writes:
  
  I wonder what the swedish chef sounds like in voice-over.
sperm or 'eggs'? (Score:2)

by Mr2cents ( 323101 ) writes:

in this article [spacedaily.com], it says 'eggs'. Or is sperm another forbidden word in the land of the free?
- Re:sperm or 'eggs'? (Score:2, Funny)
  
  by vettemph ( 540399 ) writes:
  
  sperm, sperm, sperm, sperm, sperm, eggs, beacon and sperm.
Obligatory muppet quote about (Score:2)

by Jtheletter ( 686279 ) writes:

Piiiiiiigs iiiiiiiiin Spaaaaaaaaaaaace!
In other news, let me be the first to welcome our space-raditaion-mutated cloned pig embryo overlords.

Which brings me to my next point: in Soviet Russia, CLONED PIGS harvest organs from YOU!
On today's episode (Score:2, Funny)

by Burl Ives ( 139364 ) writes:

ANNOUNCER: When last we left the spaceship Swinepork, Dr. Strangepork was on the verge of a major scientific breakthrough!

STRANGEPORK (fiddling with a bizarre contraption): Let's see, adjust this, twiddle that... hmmm.

PIGGY: What'cha workin on there Strangepork? Some kind of Intergalactic vacuum cleaner?

STRANGEPORK: Oh, you'll find out soon enough Miss Piggy. Just one last adjustment and... (disco ball decends from ceiling, disco music blares). (yelling)
This is an intergalactic pig sperm collector! Soon
Obligatory... (Score:1)

by mindlessreflex ( 683371 ) writes:

I, for one, welcome our new pedigree space porcine overlords.
- Re:Obligatory... (Score:2)
  
  by Zarf ( 5735 ) writes:
  
  I, for one, welcome our new pedigree space porcine overlords.
  
  In Soviet Kankuckistan the pedigree space porcine send your sperm into space.
  
  ...can you feel the Zaz? Mod me down folks.
Are these the 'up and coming' I keep hearing about (Score:3, Funny)

by Tachikoma ( 878191 ) writes: on Monday July 18, 2005 @04:41PM (#13098202)

5 minutes ago I didn't like my job. Now I think its ok, because I found out that somewhere on the other side of the earth, some guy/girl/small-child is collecting pig sperm.

To send ... into space

And be brought back in an attempt to "understand better the processes involved in pig reproduction". I bet NASA is pissed that the Chinese beat us to this one...

Many swines' died to bring us this information....

- Resume opportunity? (Score:1)
  
  by Wilson_6500 ( 896824 ) writes:
  
  Somehow, if you're the guy who's collecting this stuff, I don't think you could get away by listing your job as "astronaut." These poor guys need a title! Maybe "micro-sinonaut harvester." That sounds sci-fi and cool!
  
  (Chinese astronaut = sinonaut? Or does that not count for pre-pig matter? Porconaut? Preporconaut?)
Pig Sperm in Space (Score:1, Funny)

by Anonymous Coward writes:

And I thought I could shoot it a long ways!
That stain on the ceiling? Must be a roof leak, mom....
Better category for this story... (Score:2)

by Ann Elk ( 668880 ) writes:

Spam! [slashdot.org]
from the aim-high dept. (Score:2)

by rbarreira ( 836272 ) writes:

from the aim-high dept.

One of the best "from-the-%s-dept" jokes I've ever seen, congrats timothy ;)
Heh... (Score:2)

by JDWTopGuy ( 209256 ) writes:

Didn't see this one yet, so here goes:

This must be "seminal research"...

Feel free to throw all manner of objects in my general direction for that one.
- Re:Heh... (Score:1)
  
  by Jamu ( 852752 ) writes:
  
  throws bucket of pig sperm
Yakov Hwong (Score:2)

by Alsee ( 515537 ) writes:

In Communist China 40 grams of pig sperm are sent into YOU.

-
I've heard... (Score:1)

by RockWolf ( 806901 ) writes:

I've heard through some slightly seedy friends of mine that a pig's orgasm lasts for half an hour. Presumably, this would provide enough thrust (and therefore enough delta-v) to enable a LEO for the capsule, no fuel expenditure required. I'm sure the pig wouldn't mind, either.
Does anyone have any information on the relative efficiencies of solid booster rockets vs pig-power for stationkeeping?
- Re:I've heard... (Score:2)
  
  by 3waygeek ( 58990 ) writes:
  
  The Straight Dope [straightdope.com] on pig orgasms.
Why not Japan (Score:1)

by Weezul ( 52464 ) writes:

See if it was Japan doing it, we'd all know what would be enstore for the stuff when it got back.
Gene Poole (Score:2)

by Doc Ruby ( 173196 ) writes:

"Surviving sperm will be returned to Earth"

Does that imply that dead sperm will be jettisoned into orbit? At least Poole [aol.com] will have company out there.

There may be more comments in this discussion. Without JavaScript enabled, you might want to turn on Classic Discussion System in your preferences instead.

Cue the bad puns (Score:4, Funny)

Re:Cue the bad puns (Score:5, Funny)

Re:Cue the bad puns (Score:1)

Re:Cue the bad puns (Score:2)

Re:Cue the bad puns (Score:2)

Re:Cue the bad puns (Score:2, Funny)

Re:Cue the bad puns (Score:2, Funny)

... Uh... (Score:1)

Re:... Uh... (Score:4, Insightful)

Re:... Uh... (Score:2, Funny)

Re:... Uh... (Score:2)

One question (Score:5, Funny)

Re:One question (Score:2)

Uh oh! (Score:2, Funny)

I didn't submit this, but if I had... (Score:4, Funny)

DON'T DO IT (Score:1)

and I thought WE were bored (Score:2)

Re:and I thought WE were bored (Score:3, Insightful)

Space radiation effects on DNA (Score:3, Insightful)

Re:and I thought WE were bored (Score:1)

Why bother with a ship? (Score:3, Funny)

Re:Why bother with a ship? (Score:2)

Bottom of page (Score:1)

Re-entry burn... (Score:1)

Re:Re-entry burn... (Score:1)

fertility in space (Score:1)

So does this mean... (Score:4, Funny)

The Muppet Show, Chinese Spin-off (Score:1)

Re:The Muppet Show, Chinese Spin-off (Score:2)

Re:The Muppet Show, Chinese Spin-off (Score:2)

sperm or 'eggs'? (Score:2)

Re:sperm or 'eggs'? (Score:2, Funny)

Obligatory muppet quote about (Score:2)

On today's episode (Score:2, Funny)

Obligatory... (Score:1)

Re:Obligatory... (Score:2)

Are these the 'up and coming' I keep hearing about (Score:3, Funny)

Resume opportunity? (Score:1)

Pig Sperm in Space (Score:1, Funny)

Better category for this story... (Score:2)

from the aim-high dept. (Score:2)

Heh... (Score:2)

Re:Heh... (Score:1)

Yakov Hwong (Score:2)

I've heard... (Score:1)

Re:I've heard... (Score:2)

Why not Japan (Score:1)

Gene Poole (Score:2)

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