NASA Develops Hi-tech Cages To Fly Rodents To ISS

Good news for astro-mice and space-rats. Rodents will now fly to the International Space Station (ISS) in hi-tech cages.

The new habitat, developed at NASA's Ames Research Center in Moffett Field, California, are designed for transporting the animals to the space station as part of their long-term accommodation.

This will allow scientists to study the long-term effects of microgravity on mammalian physiology.

The rodent habitat modules will first fly aboard an unmanned SpaceX Dragon cargo ship in August.

Each habitat module provides as many as 10 mice or six rats. They are designed to provide them with water, food, lighting and fresh air.

Rodents can easily move around the living space by grasping grids that line the floor and the walls.

The habitats are also bugged with data links and an infrared video system, so that scientists can keep a constant eye on their charges.

This also helps researchers to monitor behaviour and overall health of the rodents on a daily basis.

Based on recommendations of the National Research Council in the US, the new modules are part of a study of the effects of prolonged weightlessness, such as would be encountered on a mission to Mars, Gizmo reported.

Rodents develop and age much faster than humans. They may be studied in space during different developmental stages of life.

Additionally, space flight rodent studies are important for developing countermeasures — procedures, drugs or devices — to protect health during a space flight.