Rodent Research Facility

The Rodent Research Facility provide housing for rodents during animal research on the ISSInternational Space Station, which is critical for accelerated disease models, the development of potential therapies that will ease harmful responses to spaceflight, and understanding the impacts of space on the human body. The Rodent Research Facility contains several subsystems, including the Transporter, the Rodent Habitat, the Life Support Unit, and the Access Unit. The Transporter houses up to 20 mice for up to 10 days during ascent to the ISS and descent to Earth from the ISS. The Life Support Unit provides environmental conditions during ascent and descent for vehicles that do not have a carbon dioxide scrubbing system. The Rodent Habitat houses up to 10 mice while on the ISS for up to 90 days. The Access Unit attaches to either the Transporter of the Rodent Habitat to allow for handling and transfer of the mice.