Tiny Satellite to Test Drugs in Space

A small satellite the size of a bread loaf could helpscientists figure out how drugs work in space.

The nanosatellite, called PharmaSat, weighs 10 poundsand is designed to study how yeast responds to antifungal drugs while circlingthe Earth at 17,000 mph.

"PharmaSat is an important experiment that willyield new information about the susceptibility of microbes to antibiotics inthe space environment," said David Niesel, PharmaSat's co-investigator atthe University of Texas in Galveston.

"Secondary payload nanosatellites expand the numberof opportunities available to conduct research in microgravity by providing analternative to the International Space Station or space shuttle conductedinvestigations," said Elwood Agasid, PharmaSat project manager at NASA'sAmes Research Center in Moffett Field, Calif.

Santa Clara University has extended an invitation to hamradio operators around the world to tune in and hear the satellite's broadcast.

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