Mars Gravity Biosatellite

The Mars Gravity Biosatellite or Martian Gravity Biosatellite is a project organized by students from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and the University of Queensland (Australia) to study the effects on human beings in an environment at 0.38-g (understood as 38% of the gravitational acceleration on the earth's surface), that is, the gravity conditions present on Mars.

To do this, in 2006 they will launch mice into an artificial satellite (see image) that will rotate on its own axis about 34 times per minute to achieve the effect of gravity on Mars. The mice will be exposed to 0.38 Earth-g gravity for about 5 weeks before parachuting back safely to land near Woomara, Australia inside a small capsule.

Funded in part by NASA, the project is unique in that it is the first time studies have been carried out on animals at this level of severity. Another notable aspect is the active participation of more than 250 university students at all levels of the project: from mission planning, experiments, and spacecraft design.

The project will focus on the investigation of bone structure changes, loss, and weakening, muscle atrophy, and changes in the inner ear that affect balance.

Each mouse will have its individual compartment and they will be carefully observed with cameras for each one. They will also have a body mass sensor and controlled water supply. The mice will have some toys to keep them occupied, however the scientists ruled out the use of wheels as this would alter the muscle mass of the mice.

Three universities are participating in the project, which is coordinated by MIT. The University of Washington will be responsible for power supply, propulsion, attitude control, thermal control, and ground communications. The University of Queensland will be in charge of the entry, descent and landing systems, including the heat shields and parachutes.