Bat Hung On For a Ride Into Space

This article jumped out at me today. Apparently a hitchhiker got the ride of his life when he was aboard the space shuttle Discovery, almost.

"The bat was perched between one quarter and one third of the way up on the north side of the fuel tank, which is the side that faces away from the orbiter. NASA estimated the surface temperature of the tank at that location was between 58 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit, even though the canister was filled with super-cold liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen."


This is a view of the Bat on the fuel tank.


Alternate view



They sound a horn before takeoff to scare off any birds that may fly into the area. The noise did not stir the bat.

Sadly it is not know how far of a journey the little hitchhiker made.