Rocket launch induced G-force impact on Apis mellifera queens' fertility - results of a pilot study

Rocket launch is the most stressful stage of the rocket flight due to the hypergravity occurrences. The possibility of usage of honey bees ( Apis mellifera ) as the extraterrestrial pollinator depends then on their ability to correctly reproduce after experiencing G-force increases. Four artificially inseminated Apis mellifera carnica queens with attendants were given to the acceleration pattern of the launching Soyuz rocket on the Human Training Centrifuge. After the experiment along with the queens from the control group, they were given to the experimental beehives. Data on the number of food stores, eggs, larvae, and worker and drone pupae were acquired and analysed in the context of hives composition, trends in the number of eggs and deviations in their development. Results of the pilot study imply that there is no significant difference in the fertility of both samples. However, the Author indicates research results limitations such as sample size or limited observation time.