The sampling rate can be varied from 1 to 16 Hz. During the first minute of microgravity, the horizontal oriented group was significant less than the pad data and statistically different from the vertically oriented group. The decrease in activity was most likely due to the large tangential and radial accelerations due to despining the rocket immediately prior to entering microgravity. These accelerations would have a greater effect on horizontally oriented Drosophila. Activity level for male fruit flies during segments of the rocket flight.
Error bars indicate standard error.
The fourth minute of microgravity data lasts only 45 seconds, due to re-entry into Earth s atmosphere. As with the males, this decrease in activity was probably due to the despin accelerations. The male and female activity patterns are similar in that activity greatly increases from the first to the second minute of microgravity and then maintains that level or decreases slightly. Interestingly, neither males nor females show differences between the pad and launch groups, although the gravitational level is changing drastically during the launch phase. The only statistical difference between the male and female data occurs for the horizontally oriented group while on the pad.