China’s First Rodent Astronauts Take on Space!
China just made history by sending its first group of mice into space aboard the Shenzhou-21 mission. These brave little rodents are not just taking a joyride—scientists hope their journey will reveal valuable insights into how mammals, including humans, adapt to the strange environment of microgravity. As the mice float around in zero-G, researchers on Earth eagerly monitor how their bodies respond to everything from bone loss to muscle changes. 
Why Send Mice to Space?
Mice have long been the unsung heroes of science labs, and now they’re stepping up as pioneers of space biology. Since their bodies react to space much like ours, their mission could help us prepare for longer human spaceflights. Will these furry astronauts come back as seasoned space travelers or just demand more cheese? Only time and science will tell! One thing is for sure: the era of animal astronauts is far from over—so, next time you picture a space hero, don’t forget the whiskers and tails.
Sources:
https://radii.co/article/china-mice-astronauts
