Biocompatibility Testing of the Advanced Animal Habitat – Centrifuge Science Evaluation Unit

The Advanced Animal Habitat-Centrifuge (AAH-C) is a spaceflight habitat for domesticated rats (Rattus norvegicus) that is modifiable to support mice (Mus musculus). Subjects will be transported in the Space Shuttle to reside within and AAH-C on the International Space Station (ISS) where they will be used in basic and biomedical research. The AAH-C is an integrated life-support system, providing a conditioned atmosphere, lighting, food, water, waste management, and data collection equipment. The data presented here show the results from a 21-day biocompatibility test of the AAH-C Science Evaluation Units. Hardware subsystems performed well. Animals were determined to be healthy and normal by veterinarians asked to make independent judgments with respect to the animals’ health and well-being at the end of testing.