China to conduct mice experiments aboard space station

(ECNS) -- The Shenzhou-21 crew will carry out in-orbit scientific experiments involving mice during their stay aboard China's space station, the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) announced Thursday at a press conference.

Two male and two female mice will be transported to the station aboard the Shenzhou-21 spacecraft and raised in orbit, CMSA spokesperson Zhang Jingbo said. It will be China's first experiment involving rodents in space. The studies will examine the effects of space conditions — including microgravity and confined environments — on animal behavior.

After the experiment, the mice will return to Earth. Further studies will then be conducted to investigate the stress responses and adaptive changes in multiple tissues and organs of the mice under space conditions, it was added.

During their stay in orbit, the Shenzhou-21 crew will also carry out 27 new scientific and applied research projects, addressing key scientific questions in several fields, including space life sciences and biotechnology, aerospace medicine, space materials science, microgravity fluid physics and combustion, and emerging space technologies.

(By Evelyn)