小鼠“航天员”启程 西工大太空实验舱成功入轨

Core Viewpoint - The successful launch and operation of the "AI-assisted Earth-Moon Twin Space Mouse Autonomous Intelligent Experiment Cabin" (AiTEM) by Northwestern Polytechnical University marks a significant advancement in space life sciences, particularly in brain science research, contributing valuable experience for future deep space exploration life support studies [1][2][5]. Group 1: Launch and Mission Details - The AiTEM was launched on December 13, 2023, at 09:08:45, carrying two male mice aboard the Di'er No. 5 space experimental vehicle, which was launched by the Kuaizhou-11 remote rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center [1]. - The experiment cabin successfully entered a near-Earth orbit at an altitude of 530 kilometers, enabling long-term in-orbit and ground-synchronized verification [1]. Group 2: Research Objectives and Capabilities - The AiTEM is specifically designed for brain science and behavioral cognition research in a microgravity environment, ensuring life cycle support for the mice, automated information collection, and intelligent behavior analysis under limited onboard computational resources [2]. - The in-orbit tests will validate the multifunctional life support system of the experiment cabin, which includes monitoring of pressure, oxygen, temperature, humidity, lighting, water supply, and environmental purification [2]. Group 3: Scientific Contributions - The experiment will conduct various tests, including open-field tests, shuttle tests, position preference and aversion tests, as well as social and instinctive behavior observations [5]. - The data and technological support provided by this mission will enhance the understanding of mammalian brain neuroplasticity in microgravity, particularly how the brain integrates sensory information to regulate body position and posture in the absence of gravity signals [5].