Annals of Exploration–A Few Good Mice: Before President Bush starts launching human astronauts at the moon, Mars and God knows where else, scientists would like to know a little bit more about how those astronauts would actually fare when subjected to low gravity over long periods of time. Ummm, good idea. So a consortium of eggheads led by a group at MIT are planning to launch 15 mousetranauts into near-earth orbit in a tiny mouse-sized space-ship. No word on exactly how long the little rodents will be up there, but not to worry, they will be in extra-nice quarters:

The mouse cages will be designed for comfort and protection with room for the little travelers to lope around for exercise in the simulated gravity of Mars. “Astronauts living on space stations have encountered serious health problems such as bone loss due to their weightless environment [zero gravity],” the team said in a statement. “The first crew on Mars could experience similar effects; scientists do not yet know whether partial gravity is sufficient to prevent these health hazards. A crew of mice will provide the first answers.”

Blast-off could take place mid-2006. (Hmmm, how about putting the boa constrictor and porcupine aboard for a zero gravity death-match….)



“F*ck off, NASA, we’re warm and cozy down here on Earth.”