Figure 4

RR1 Mission Timeline and Housing. (a) RR1 Mission Timeline for Validation and Experimental Mice. Flight (FLT) mice treatments are shown in the timeline. Ground Control (GC) mice were treated identically with the exception of launch and exposure to spaceflight. All GC group operations were conducted for the same duration on a four-day delay relative to FLT mice. GC mice were housed in the ISS Environmental Simulator at KSC. This enabled environmental parameters (temperature, humidity, CO2) on ISS to be applied to GC mice. (b) The Rodent Transporter (upper image), Rodent Habitat (lower image), and Animal Access Unit (not shown) are three modules that comprise the Rodent Research Hardware System. Mice were housed in the transporter during launch and transit to the International Space Station (ISS). Following the four-day flight to ISS, the Animal Access Unit was used to provide containment during transfer of rodents between the transporter and habitat. Mice remained in the Rodent Habitat onboard the station for the duration of the mission. Photo Credits: NASA.