Posted by tourdemars to Mars Gravity Biosatellite at September 25, 2002 12:00 PM

Move over, Disney Mouseketeers – here come the Mousetronauts. In a world first, University of Queensland engineers have said they will help blast 11 mice into space in an endeavour to understand the biological effects of low gravity. Four of the furry astronauts would be pregnant when they entered orbit some time in 2005. If all went according to plan, they should give birth during the 49-day mission. UQ manager for the Mars Gravity Biosatellite Project Jason Hoogland said the experiment was vital for determining whether human beings could withstand a mission to Mars, which would take at least three years in low to zero gravity.