The geckos were on board a satellite, which was sent into space alongside a number of fruit flies and mushrooms to gather data on their sexual behavior.
Scientists were also studying their embryonic development before they lost control of the satellite.
Though they are currently unaware where the geckos are, scientists are still receiving data notifying them that the geckos are still mating and that they still have food.
A spokesperson for mission control said that “there is only one-way communication,” meaning that the scientists are unable to communicate back with the satellite.
![The geckos were in orbit before they were lost](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/lifestyle-legacy/fa/eb972/c4bd4/adef9/1d503/7a24c/2894d/space1_646x363.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
If they are unable to reach the satellite and communicate with the systems onboard, the geckos will sadly not survive.
The experiment was originally intended to be a 60 day mission.
This is not the first time that animals have been sent into space.
Space scientists have sent animals ranging from fruit flies to dogs and monkeys into space to test the conditions before sending human astronauts into orbit.
In 2007, the same space agency responsible for the geckos sent a group of gerbils into orbit, noting that they had ‘moved chaotically’ during the mission.
Do you think it’s right to send animals into space?
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