- Space scientists are planning one small step for mice
that could mark a giant leap for mankind's ambition to create colonies
on Mars.
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- In the wake of plans by President George W Bush to put
a man on Mars, and a rival European effort, a £13 million project
to launch 15 "mouse-tronauts" has been announced that will provide
a stepping stone for the ambitious manned missions.
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- The mice will follow a long tradition of using animals
to pave the way for human space exploration, notably Laika ("barker"
in Russian) - a stray dog found in Moscow - launched inside Sputnik 2 in
1957.
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- The goal of the Mars Gravity Biosatellite programme is
to send the mice into near-Earth orbit inside a one-metre space ship that
will spin to create artificial gravity to simulate that on Mars.
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- The 15 mice will orbit Earth for five weeks to help researchers
learn how Martian gravity - about one-third that of Earth - will affect
the mammalian body. Then their craft will parachute back to Earth, bouncing
down swaddled in airbags in the outback of Australia.
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- Although it will not be the first time mice have flown
in space, it will be the first time mammals of any kind have lived in partial
gravity for an extended period.
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- Paul Wooster of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology,
who is conducting the study with the University of Washington at Seattle
and the University of Queensland in Brisbane, said: "The only data
that we have for partial gravity comes from the Apollo astronauts who spent
a couple of days on the surface of the moon."
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- The mouse cages will be designed for comfort and protection
with room for exercise in the simulated gravity of Mars.
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- Astronauts living on space stations have encountered
serious health problems such as bone loss and muscle wasting due to their
weightless environment.
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- "The first crew on Mars could experience similar
problems," Mr Wooster said.
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- "Scientists do not yet know whether partial gravity
is sufficient to prevent these health hazards. A crew of mice will provide
the first answers." The project is expected to cost about £8
million plus about £3 million for the launch.
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- The team hopes to send the mice into orbit in 2006 with
a Falcon spacecraft, currently under development by SpaceX, a Californian
company.
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- President Bush has announced plans to return man to the
Moon by 2020 in preparation for manned Mars missions.
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- © Copyright of Telegraph Group Limited 2004.
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