Figure 3 | Scientific Reports

Figure 3

From: Development of new experimental platform ‘MARS’—Multiple Artificial-gravity Research System—to elucidate the impacts of micro/partial gravity on mice

Figure 3

Habitation data on flight mice and the hardware malfunction during the mission.Summarised data on body weight change (a) and water intake (b). The MG mice either gained some weight or maintained their preflight weight, whereas AG mice gained weight. Because of water leakage in the MG cages during onboard habitation, water consumption was higher in MG than in AG. (c) Water leakage in the TCU during the return phase. The cylindrical TCU cage and structure of the water nozzle are shown. An O-ring functions as a seal for pressured water in the balloon. When a mouse accesses the water nozzle shaft for drinking, the nozzle is slightly tilted and the pressurised water leaks out. Corrosion particles (circled with the yellow dotted line) were detected on the seal surface of the O-ring. This may have caused unexpected water leakage without access by the mouse. Corrosion particles were observed in the O-ring of AG3, MG5 and MG6. (d) The recalculated body weight between pre-launch (L-1d) and post landing (L + 41d). The body weight data was recalculated for all mice excluding AG3, MG5 and MG6. Data was expressed as mean ± SE. *P < 0.05.

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