Monkey to be sent to Mars

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

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.

“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."

Source : http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/space/6...nt-to-Mars.html

I have always been anti using animals to test non-essentials lke cosmetics. If people want to spread chemicals over themselves to massage their vavity let them be the guinea pigs. However I do see the good of using our furry friends to check out new medecines that may save lives ot make life better for sick people.

But sending a monkey on what I presume will be a suicide mission is stretching the envelope a bit. Yes I know the Russians send a dog up prior to Yuri G. but that's history and I believe we have developed our relationship with the other species on Earth a fair way since then. Monkeys probably don't even know of the existence of other planets, although they may be aware of pinpricks of light in the night sky, so why should we use them to check out if we could survive such a mission?

What are other Bedlamites views on this?

"The Russians first succeeded in putting monkeys into orbit in 1983. "

Only 20+ years after they put a man in orbit? Must be a typo.

It's pushing the envelope Phil, not many envelopes are stretchable. Hardly suicide either, suicide is voluntary, I doubt the monkey put his hand up for this mission.

Enough nitpicking, the topic is still worthy of our outrage.

What else could you expect from those dirty commy Stalinist swine?

Ive said it many times before, Human Beings are so cruel and completely dispicable

They should make sure it's an ugly one. A cute one will get more protest.

They fact that monkeys don't know of the existance of other planets is hardly an argument.

Guinea pigs don't know of the existance of human skin cancer; so we had better not use them for dermatology tests for sun block.

Maybe they should send two and they could start a colony?

It's pushing the envelope Phil, not many envelopes are stretchable. Hardly suicide either, suicide is voluntary, I doubt the monkey put his hand up for this mission.

Enough nitpicking, the topic is still worthy of our outrage.

What else could you expect from those dirty commy Stalinist swine?

A condom could be described as an envelope and it is stretchable, okay I wuz wrong.

But they are capitalists now, Stalin is dead.

As for putting their hands up it's obvious that they'll be trained, Pavlov's dog's 21st century "When I say Mars I want all your hands in the air".

They fact that monkeys don't know of the existance of other planets is hardly an argument.

Guinea pigs don't know of the existance of human skin cancer; so we had better not use them for dermatology tests for sun block.

True, but then people aren't dying of not going to Mars.

I suppose it's more emotive as they are proposing to use one of our primate cousins, nobody would give a flick if they used sea cucumbers. I just thought, putting aside the issue of whether we should be going to Mars anyway, it's highly unethical to use animals for such a non essential venture. A bit like going down to the creek for a swim and throwing your dog in to check for crocodiles.

I'm surprised that nobody made reference to the woman and the monkey on the space mission. You all so afraid that sbk will fry your balls?

Yeah, me too.

Stalin is dead???!!!!

Why wasn't I told?

I can't believe they are capitalists, capitalists wouldn't place an innocent animal in dangers path like that.

Stalin is dead???!!!!

Why wasn't I told?

Obviously you weren't on the mailing list.

I can't believe they are capitalists, capitalists wouldn't place an innocent animal in dangers path like that.

Of course not, capitalists would have a world conference on the rights of monkeynauts who would then be allowed to form their own union under the auspices of the United Nations who would declare the whole programme against basic sub-human rights. The monkey would be called Major Tom and would be pothsumasly awarded the Nobel prize for furthering the knowledge of the simians (who are quietly working away to take over the world. But that is the real purpose behing the UN).

But what if they chose a human being with a terminal disease?

Why doesn't somebody from PETA volunteer to take the monkey's place?

Don't encourage them Chuck, you can bet there would be someone there silly enough to make the supreme sacrifice for some verminous monkey.

Liberalism and cowardice don't necessarily go hand in hand.

Why doesn't somebody from PETA volunteer to take the monkey's place?

Excellent point.

No doubt one of them would if they were allowed.

Some of the PETA ads aren't bad.

Noone like an 8 second ride? For a dawn-breaker, when you want to sleep in just a bit more afterwards, 8 seconds is fine.

No wonder your ex just packed and left....

Some of the PETA ads aren't bad.

OK, for posting these, you're OK in my book even if we disagree on just about everything.

Pic 1: Put me down for a kg each of Round and Rump.

Pic 2: Ironically the most mouth-watering thing on the poster is the meat.

Pic 3: It depends how that 8 seconds ends. She probably won't be satisfied though.

I'd like to know the history of those posters, can't exactly see them on billboards lining the highways in the Bible Belt of the USof A.

No wonder your ex just packed and left....

My thoughts exactly.

As for monkeys going to Mars, I find it interesting that, like in war, its rarely the ones who come up with the idea who do the sacrificing, is it?

SBK:

If you're talking to me, I will be more than happy to sacrifice anybody from PETA that is willing to go.

No wonder your ex just packed and left....

I could reply with stats, but I don't want to brag.

Sometimes, as in the situation I referred to, I will be a selfish lover. Why should I turn down my turn to indulge once in a while?

And just so you know....I DO take your jest in the spirit of how you meant it.

Why doesn't somebody from PETA volunteer to take the monkey's place?

Not a chance, PETA has an animal shelter in Virginia where they put to sleep about 99% of all animals that enter its doors. While a few miles down the road the county shelter finds homes for 75% of animals that enter through its portals. Peta can't find the moral and ethical means to do right by their charges. It'd take away for the ability to advertise for more money to advertise for more money etc

"A bit like going down to the creek for a swim and throwing your dog in to check for crocodiles."

What a great idea.

Some disclosure here....on hearing nocturnal noises outside the house, the coward in me imagines a heavily armed gang of burglars. I promptly throw the dog out to investigate and bolt the door after him.

Dogs are for life. Mine.

Regards.

"A bit like going down to the creek for a swim and throwing your dog in to check for crocodiles."

What a great idea.

Some disclosure here....on hearing nocturnal noises outside the house, the coward in me imagines a heavily armed gang of burglars. I promptly throw the dog out to investigate and bolt the door after him.

Dogs are for life. Mine.

Regards.

Not as bad as the Samoan shark fishing method where they use a dog as live bait as they try to noose the shark.