In 1989, the space shuttle Discovery carried 32 fertilized chicken eggs for 5 days; all 16 early embryos died, while 8 older embryos later hatched without anatomical malformations

In 1989, the space shuttle Discovery transported thirty-two fertilized chicken eggs into microgravity. Although younger embryos did not endure the five-day trip, the older ones hatched successfully, exhibiting slight alterations in their inner ear development. Initiated by a student's curiosity, this experiment provides valuable insights for future space endeavors, highlighting the necessity for the vestibular system to adapt to varying gravitational environments.