Russia plans to incubate quail eggs at the space station.
Russia plans to send quail eggs and incubators to the International Space Station (ISS) next year to study embryonic development, said Vladimir Sychev, Deputy Scientific Director of the Institute of Biomedical Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
"The equipment for studying embryo formation has been specially built for use in space. This equipment includes a centrifuge, meaning that the embryo formation process will be observed both under artificial weight and in a weightless state," said Vladimir Sychev.
According to scientists, many questions were raised last year regarding the development of eggs in space.
"Because this process requires the use of formaldehyde, the equipment must ensure absolute safety for the astronauts," Vladimir Sychev stated.
Sychev said the eggs and incubator are expected to be sent to the space station in 2021.
"According to the plan, this device was supposed to be sent to the ISS this year, but it has now been postponed to next year, as it is related to the launch of a new Russian module called 'Nauka'," he further explained.
