Home could advocate for the immediate development of Mars gravity simulation centrifuge large enough to house several generations of mice over a multi-month period on the International Space Station. Social media campaigns and direct advocacy through "We the People" White House direct petitions could result in a high-profile Home-sponsored mission to test mammalian gestation aboard ISS.
On the International Space Station several generations of mice should be brought through full gestation in a centrifuge simulating Martian gravity to study an approximation of its effects on small mammal breeding, human settlement, and child-bearing on Mars.
Gravity on Mars is only about 38% as strong as it is on Earth, the long-term effects of such reduced gravity are unknown. Astronauts who are weightless for long periods of time lose significant amounts of bone and muscle mass. It is unclear if the gravity on Mars is strong enough to avoid or minimize these health problems.This experiment will provide data on how mammalian health is affected by long-term exposure to lower levels of gravity, focusing on bone loss, changes in bone structure, muscle atrophy, affects in the inner ear, and child-bearing off-Earth.
The results from the experiment would be compared against a variety of earth based controls, including vivarium, hindlimb suspension, partial weight suspension, flight habitat effects, and short-radius centrifuge testing. Data will further our understanding of osteoporosis, neurological disorders, fetal development, and more - on Earth and space exploration in general.
NASA is expanding its existing capabilities for doing plant and animal tissue investigations on the International Space Station with the small Gravitational Biology Lab. A centrifuge will allow biological experimentation in artificial gravity -- from zero gravity to twice Earth’s normal gravity -- for prolonged periods of time. The new facility will provide environmental control, lighting, data transfer, commanding, and observation of experiments in Mars and moon gravity conditions, as well as mimicking Earth's gravity. This is useful for biological research, and could lead to advances in medications and vaccines, agricultural controls, and discoveries in genetics -- all beneficial to those of us on Earth.
What they will learn from the research in the new facility can be used to better life on Earth, as well as provide knowledge to help advance future long-duration human spaceflight missions.
