‘Noah’s Ark’ returns from space with live plants, flies, and mice

The rescue took place under adverse conditions. According to the newspaper, the teams that retrieved the module worked without access to communication to recover the material as quickly as possible. The mission carried a true zoo. Mice, flies, plants, seeds, and bacteria were sent to evaluate the effects of microgravity and radiation on living organisms. Russian scientists highlight the importance of bacteria. ‘Among all the biodiversity on board were also unique strains sent by researchers from Orenburg,’ explained the Steppes Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences. According to the experts, they underwent a ‘rigorous space test’ and could serve as a basis for new drugs to help cosmonauts on long expeditions. Most of the mice returned alive. According to the newspaper, 10 rodents, out of the 75 sent in the module, died. Scientists from the Institute of Medical-Biological Problems (IMBP) of the Russian Academy of Sciences published images of the surviving animals being examined, weighed, and given simple tasks. The experiment also included rare plants. About 4,500 seeds of 25 species from the Samara region were taken on board, including tulips, peonies, and endangered flowers. Some of the seeds have already been planted. On Wednesday (24), biologists from Samara University began studies in a ‘space garden’ created in the local botanical garden. Researchers want to compare results. ‘The seeds have returned to Samara for post-flight studies. Now they will need to face the earth’s winter to germinate in the spring,’ said agronomist Elena Kaiurova to the newspaper. The program is strategic. For scientists, understanding how life reacts outside of Earth is essential to prepare for long-duration missions to the Moon and Mars.