How did C.elegans suvive the Space Shuttle Columbia Explosion?

Model Organism: Worms Scientific Discussion
1

Hallo,

I’m quite new to C.elegans biology.

I was wondering how this worm was able to survive the Space Shuttle Columbia explosion?-

http://www.space.com/19538-columbia-shuttle-disaster-worms-survive.html

Any thoughts?

(Does this have to do with the worm being able to slip into the ‘dauer’ stage?)

2
The thermos-size metal container holding the nematodes was housed inside the locker of a crew compartment that was reinforced specifically to protect the materials inside. Once that compartment ruptured, however, the nematodes still survived the crash to Earth thanks to the locker's build, Szewczyk said.

The C. elegans stayed alive upon impact because by the time that part of the shuttle fell to the ground, it had already decreased in speed, allowing the nematodes to touch down more gently.

source: that article you posted