Brainless slime named ‘the Blob’ flying to space to study weightlessness

A brainless, yellow slime mold — affectionately called the Blob — will be launched to the International Space Station to help study the effects of the station’s environment.

Also known as known as Physarum polycephalum, the Blob — not to be confused with the alien invader from the 1958 sci-fi film — will be launched Aug. 10 aboard Northrop Grumman’s 16th commercial resupply services mission. The single-celled Blob has intrigued scientists because of its ability to perform cognitive tasks — without a brain. It can make decisions, sleep and navigate a maze, as well as transmit knowledge to other slime molds.