24 mice launched to orbit in 2023. What happened to their bodies could help humans better survive in space

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/24-mice-launched-to-orbit-in-2023-what-happened-to-their-bodies-could-help/

5 Comments

  1. “Humans [did not evolve for space](https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-well-never-live-in-space/). Ironically, because we insist on going there anyway, scientists now know from studying astronauts that the lack of Earth’s gravity can wreak health havoc, such as by [shifting our soft, watery organs](https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/spaceflight-literally-moves-your-brain/), [throwing off gut bacteria](https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/spaceflight-alters-the-gut-microbes-of-mice-and-men/), [weakening our bones](https://www.nasa.gov/reference/risk-of-spaceflight-induced-bone-changes/), and more.

    None of that, however, seems to dampen the spirits of [the astronauts](https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/nasa-says-its-a-go-for-fresh-artemis-ii-moon-launch-attempt-but-admits-risks/) who go to space. And understanding more about how gravity affects our health could help humans live better off Earth.”

  2. Mouse studies like this reveal how bodies decay or adapt in microgravity, which could lead to human technologies like gene edits or specialized suits to thrive off-Earth.

  3. You know whos faring really well in space, its robots. Thr future of space travel is ai robots.

  4. Dr_Mantis_Teabaggin on

    The title made me picture them using a mouse gun or trebuchet or something to launch the mice out into space, thus creating little earth-orbiting miceicles.Â