Russian scientists plan to send living organisms to Phobos, Mars’s satellite. Biological object will arrive to Phobos on Russian “Phobos-Grunt” spacecraft.
      
      The project is now waiting for approval of RosCosmos. After obtaining permission, the scientists expect to send living organisms to an unprecedented journey in October 2009. A special commission will approve the list of “travelers”, however, candidate organisms are crustaceans, wigglers of African mosquitoes, bacteria and fungi.
      
      The experiment is aimed at studying effects of space radiation on living organisms at various stages of the flight. The earthlings will travel in an airproof capsule, weighing 100 grams and outstanding all external stress. Increased strength of this container should protect celestial bodies from possible contamination with Earth’s life forms.
      
      Source: Science News