Ideas for Scientific Experiments to be Done in Space?

Mark Shuttleworth asks: "I'm hoping to launch an African Space Program by flying to space with the Russians. There have been some ups and downs along the road ;-) There is still no certainty, but the battle is half the fun. The program includes science, education and media. We have some great science experiments submitted by South African scientists, in physiology, genetics, proteomics and stem cell work. I wonder what ideas the Slashdot community has for world class space science or education, or other suggestions to make this project a huge success for Africa? If someone has a great idea, and it requires only safe, light, COTS equipment, I will try to get it onto the flight when/if I ever get up there. Any ideas are welcome. I'm looking for science experiments that are of interest to Africa, that are cutting edge, and that can only be done from space. Or educational things that demonstrate fun science that is uniquely possible in space. And yes, Debian, Python, Mozilla, POV, LAME, TTR and other friends will ride along too."

Waste of money

[Otter]

I'm a molecular biologist and reading this only deepens my impression that scientific research in space is almost entirely a flimsy justification to put on "I want to go flying in rockets." The way research works is you think of a question and then decide how to attack it, not to create a space program and then wonder if anyone has any good ideas for experiments.

OK, once you're going out there, maybe there are some protein folding experiments that might actually have some value. Africa related -- I dunno. Maybe you can breed rhinos up there where poachers can't get to them.

And yes, Debian, Python, Mozilla, POV, LAME, TTR and other friends will ride along too.

Ooooh, yeah, that's the fundamental question that launches all sorts of worthwhile science: what distro should I bring to space?