LifeSat: The General Biology Module

The LifeSat Biosatellite will be used to determine the effects of microgravity and cosmic radiation on a wide variety of animals and plants. The General Biology Module is being designed particularly for studies of invertebrates, plants, and small mammals. The module will accomodate up to six units the size of Spacelab mid-deck lockers. The experiments will fly for periods up to 60 days both in high radiation and low radiation orbits. The General Biology Module will help us learn more about the effects of microgravity, cosmic radiation, and a combination of both, on reproduction, growth, development, behavior, and aging on biological organisms. We will use this knowledge not only to support long-term human space flight but also to understand the basic effects of microgravity. In addition, information concerning the effects of low gravity in space will help to detect specific functions of gravity in developing organisms on Earth.