Bion-M spacecraft carries many important data

Russian scientists said on May 19 that the majority of the mice brought to Russia by the Bion-M spacecraft were killed in a month-long flight.

>>>Russia launches satellites with mice, snails and fish

However, the ship brought back important data that scientists hope will pave the way for a flight to bring people to Mars.

The Bion-M spacecraft in April brought up orbit 45 mice, along with a number of other small organisms and plants to study the impact of the universe on the body living in a project aimed at bringing people to Mars.

Scientists say that most of the mice died because of inactive equipment and the effects in the universe, which were also predicted by scientists.

Scientists at Russia's Pillar Research Center say this is the first time these animals have been brought to space in such a long flight.

Early trials focused on how small gravity affects the bone and nervous system, as well as the body's heart and muscles. As expected, by 2014, Russia will launch a spacecraft to bring microorganisms to orbit Earth.

Russia has long been determined to conquer Mars and is aiming for 2030 to build a base on the Moon to serve flights to the Red Planet.