Russia Plans To Send A Monkey To Mars

Monkey to be sent to Mars
A monkey may be sent to Mars, under plans unveiled by Russian scientists.

By Urmee Khan
Published: 9:51AM GMT 22 Dec 2009


A test monkey strapped inside its seat of a Russian space satellite after landing in Kazakhstan in 1997 Photo: EPA
Although the ape will be looked after by a robot on the mission, the decision is expected to spark controversy with animal rights groups.
The Russians first succeeded in putting monkeys into orbit in 1983.

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“We have plans to return to space,” said Zurab Mikvabia, director of the Institute of Experimental Pathology and Therapy in Georgia which supplied apes for the programme in the 1980s.
The Institute is in preliminary talks with Russia's Cosmonautics Academy about preparing monkeys for a simulated Mars mission that could lay the groundwork for sending an ape to the Red Planet, he said.
Such an initiative would build on Mars-500, a joint Russian-European project that saw six human volunteers confined in a capsule in Moscow for 120 days earlier this year to simulate a Mars mission.
Mr Mikvabia said: "Earlier this programme was aimed at sending cosmonauts, people (to Mars).
"But given the length of the flight to Mars, and given the cosmic rays for which we don't have adequate protection over such a long trip, discussions have focused recently on sending an ape instead of a person."
Estimates for the length of the journey to Mars vary depending on the type of mission envisioned, but the European Space Agency says its proposal for a round-trip mission would take 520 days, or about a year and a half.
If Russia pursues the idea of sending monkeys to Mars, Mikvabia's institute could become the site of an enclosed "biosphere" where apes would be kept for long periods to simulate space flights.
The Institute said a robot would accompany the first primate to Mars to feed and look after the ape.
Mr Mikvabia said: "The robot will feed the monkey, will clean up after it. Our task will be to teach the monkey to co-operate with the robot."
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Monkey relates HE DOESN'T WANT TO GO!!!!
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Lee Mulder
12/25/2009 08:23 AM
They don't have to send a monkey, I would gladly take its place. Some humanitarian may call it suicide, I would call it the adventure of a lifetime and would risk my own for the opportunity with no regrets.
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Lisa
12/24/2009 04:40 PM
Only the unevolved whose hearts aren't functioning as opposed to the tireless cliche' "bleeding hearts" don't have a problem with this. Of course their hearts don't bleed; all they have is their head to evaluate anything.



More war, more guns, more nationalism, more fear. And more science that doesn't have a clue about the life we share the planet with.



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Vanna
12/24/2009 04:31 PM
This is so cruel ! Poor animals. Slaves in the hands of greed, selfish and ignorant human beings. The animals have feelings, they suffer, they fell fear, they are in this planet to live a free and social life with nature. Man is destroing everything and hurting every creature. What a terrible and sick planet that we live in. People that agree with this are out of their minds too. They have no compassion in their hearts.
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sean
12/24/2009 08:45 AM
ohwell its only monkeys its not like its a human
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darius
12/24/2009 07:24 AM
I am sure if they ask around they will get volunteers for a one-way trip to mars.
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snow leopard
12/23/2009 10:47 PM
Chimpanzees as crash test!



The height of the space research program involving chimpanzees lasted from the early 1950s to the early 1960s. During that time, chimpanzees were used to test the forces of gravity, the effects of high-speed movement, and other conditions anticipated in space travel.



Strapped into small, pitch-dark metal capsules, they were spun, jettisoned, and catapulted on track courses and in decompression chambers. Some were killed, and others were severely maimed.



snow leopard -France- :(
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Graham
12/23/2009 09:48 PM
Can't they send some of our politicians instead?



Gordon must be useful for something... surely?
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Troofnukka
12/23/2009 08:26 PM
Monkeys in outer-space!!

Protecting the freedom of the human race!!

Four Fingers on his Hand

spreading freedom across the land!



http://dumpalink.com/videos/Robot-Chicken-Monkeys-in-Outer-Space-aab5.html
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jb
12/23/2009 06:51 PM
Obama on mars...awesome!
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Anna
12/23/2009 06:23 PM
Absolutely disgusting. Other apes are living, feeling creatures as well, remarkably similar to humans in so many ways. Their emotional and intellectual levels are comparable to that of a child ie they will be as able to understand, fear and suffer as much as if a child were to be used in its place.

Strapped into place, completely isolated for well over a year. The fact that this is even being considered shows quite how disturbed the world has gotten, and i am horrified that anyone could defend such outright cruelty.
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georgie-porgie
12/23/2009 05:38 PM
Morality and science don't mix. If scientists in this country had full access to stem cells instead of being held back because of moralist views, we would probably have a cure for cancer and AIDS by now. I praise the Russians for taking this bold first step with monkeys. If we hadn't sent monkeys into orbit in the 60's, we wouldn't have gotten our space program off the ground (pardon the pun). Besides, we are going to need a place to go when our planet self-destructs from earth changes. Start saving for a down payment on that condo an Mars now.
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Rob1317
12/23/2009 05:31 PM
I'm not sure as to the gain at sending a monkey to mars anyway. What can a monkey do that a machine can't?



I thought the whole point of sending animals (humans) into space was to conduct things that machines can't do and of course for the sheer challenge and awe of sending people to these far away, inhospitable places.
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Alexander
12/23/2009 04:09 PM
A monkey is going to have his life changed for science. Big deal. That monkey is lucky. How many monkeys get to explore another planet?
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david
12/23/2009 03:55 PM
Seriously!!! Humans are morally obligated to spare the monkeys. We are superior by the way, we are the ones building rocket ships and talking in over 100s of different languages, capable of moral decisions, capable of love, capable of more than survival and primate pack running. If you really feel that way about monkeys, please tell me your stance on ants, misquitos and roaches. They are alive too. I am amazed at how far we will go to protect cute and lovable pets, but how dysfunctional we are about science and using said animals to further all life, even the animals.
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lb
12/23/2009 03:52 PM
Denying animal torture!!!!

Those scientists should be strapped inside their seats and put into gas chamber!
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Jimmy SawFinger
12/23/2009 03:52 PM
I fully support the Russians in their effort to send a monkey to Mars. If only we could send some dolphins too.
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BDTR
12/23/2009 03:51 PM
This is awesome! Go Russia! Bring on the space race, the sooner we get into space exploration again, the better!



What's the life of one monkey against the huge amount of information we can gather for the eventual human expedition to Mars? Cheap at twice the price.

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vince
12/23/2009 03:50 PM
I think perhaps they should send something symbolic of our intentions for mars - a monkey being the very first living thing sent from the earth to mars dials up to many conflicting emotions to be a meaningful symbolic gesture.
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C0833
12/23/2009 03:50 PM
/signed

Send as many as you can! Retrieve as much information as you can!





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Olrac from the Planet Issor
12/23/2009 03:25 PM
Uh... Please hire me, an American soiftware engineer, to be the one to write the disciplinary programs - tzzt! tzzt! tzzt! - into the robot's commands software in case a bored monkey over 520 days gets it in his/her head to woop out it's peepee and pull down its spacesuit to start peeing and smearing monkey poop all over a nice tidy capsule.
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puli
12/23/2009 03:24 PM
why are you sending tat poor thing there??? :(



u think it cant talk and u wnt be sued on court...



this is very bad...

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hotrod
12/23/2009 03:23 PM
I say LAD,that we send Mr. Putin and every member of Congress!! If we lose them,who the Hell cares !!!
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Head Cheese
12/23/2009 03:17 PM
If these scientists are so smart then they should be able to create a robot with artificial intelligence to send on the mission instead of a monkey. A robot created by man with artificial intelligence should be more intelligent than a monkey....wouldn't you think?
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Lisa
12/23/2009 03:16 PM
Only the unevolved whose hearts aren't functioning as opposed to the tireless cliche' "bleeding hearts" don't have a problem with this. Of course their hearts don't bleed; all they have is their head to evaluate anything.



More war, more guns, more nationalism, more fear. And more science that doesn't have a clue about the life we share the planet with.
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