Four lab mice sent to China’s Tiangong space station have successfully adapted to weightlessness, marking a significant step in the nation’s ambitious orbital biology research program.
The four mice, two male and two female, show no abnormal behavior and remain healthy, according to the China Academy of Sciences (CAS). Their successful adjustment is a key indicator for future long-duration space missions involving living organisms.
Monitoring data confirms the mice are eating and drinking normally. Environmental parameters such as temperature, humidity, and oxygen levels within their habitat unit remain optimal.
Researchers observed no differences in behavior or movement when comparing the space-bound mice to control groups on Earth. This indicates a robust adaptation to the microgravity environment.
The experiment is part of a broader space biology research mission aimed at studying the effects of weightlessness on living organisms. They are scheduled to return to Earth after the seven-day experiment.
The mice arrived at Tiangong aboard the Shenzhou-21 spacecraft. Shenzhou-21 performed an automatic docking with the space station on Saturday morning, Beijing time.
Following the docking, the unit housing the mice was transferred into the Wentian lab module. This process was completed with close coordination from the Chinese astronauts already on board.
China launched the Shenzhou-21 mission from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the country’s northwest on Friday night, Beijing time. Three astronauts are also on the Tiangong station for a six-month mission.
The Shenzhou-21 mission encompasses 27 scientific research and technological application projects. Space biology studies are considered a crucial element in China’s advancement of future space technologies.