Worms in space!

Exeter University project blasts off

Thousands of tiny worms will be launched into space on Thursday evening to help scientists to understand more about muscle loss and how to prevent it. One specific worm has similarities with humans - so they're blasting off in the interests of science.

Led by scientists from the universities of Exeter and Nottingham they're trying to find out more about the causes of muscle changes during spaceflight and find ways to mitigate these biological changes.

Spaceflight is an extreme environment that causes many negative changes to the body, with astronauts losing up to 40 percent of their muscle after six months in space. It should enhance understanding of ageing, inactivity and certain clinical conditions.

The microscopic worm, C. elegans, and humans experience similar molecular changes in space that affect muscle and metabolism.

This mission will see the worms launched into space to try to identify the precise molecules that cause medical problems and also test out new therapies to prevent muscle loss in zero-gravity.

Tim Etheridge, associate professor of integrative physiology at the University of Exeter, said: “This experiment will give us new information on the molecules that cause muscle decline in space, and whether targeting these with novel drugs and interventions can help. "This information can then build the foundations for safely sending humans on long-term missions into deep space.”

Kayser Space, based in Oxfordshire, have developed the hardware for the experiment. David Zolesi, its managing director, said: "This launch is the second of a series of three life science payloads developed by Kayser Space to fly to the International Space Station within three years."

The launch is expected to take place on Thursday 3rd June at 6pm. A live stream of the launch can be watched here: https://www.nasa.gov/nasalive.