[86]

Capabilities and Potential Utilization of the Advanced Animal Habitat. S.L. Lifer, J.R. Morell, and J.A. Alberts, STAR Enterprises, Inc., Bloomington, IN.

   The Advanced Animal Habitat (AAH) is an integrated life-support and data collection sytstem designed to house up to six, adult, domesticated rats (Rattus norvegicus) and is modifiable to support mice (Mus musculus) and other stages of the rodent life cylcle.  Subjects will be transported in the Space Shuttle to reside in the International Space Station (ISS) where they can be housed within an AAH (nominal 90-day increment) and used in basic and biomedical research.  Unlike previous animal habitats used on the Space Shuttle, the AAH actively regulates its ambient temperature (23oC-30oC) and maintains relative humidity (40%-70%).  Light cycles are programmable. NASA’s rodent food bar is delivered from a protected dispenser and water is available from mulitiple Lixit spouts.  Color and infrared-sensitive video provided via three cameras.  Waste management has proven so successful that ammonia levels do not exceed 5ppm.  The current design also has provisions for biotelemetry.  Investigators on Earth will be able to receive data from the AAH and interact with crew during experimentaton. Host system compatibilities include the Habitat Holding Rack (HHR), the Life Sciences Glovebox (LSG) and the Centrifuge Rotor (CR).  Because the AAH enables access to the animals, it makes possible an enhanced range of basic and biomedical studies.  Poster will focus on the range of research AAH is capable of supporting.  Envisioned are long-term (e.g., 90-day) studies at u-g and fractional gravities to address both basic biology and biomedical questions.

(Supported by NASA: NNA05-C-P09C.)