JOINT RUSSO-GERMAN ANIMAL OBSERVATION PROJECT KICKS OFF IN SPACE

The German-Russian animal observation project Icarus, supported by data-collection equipment on the International Space Station, has begun after a lengthy delay, a spokesperson said on Tuesday, Deutsche Presse-Agentur (dpa) reported late on September 15, 2020. 

International Cooperation for Animal Research Using Space (Icarus) is to observe the migration patterns of animals tagged with transmitter devices to figure out how to improve wildlife conservation efforts. 

The first study is on the migration behavior of more than 2,000 blackbirds and thrushes in Europe, Russia and North America, according to the Max Planck Institute in the southern German city of Konstanz. The animals have been equipped with mini-transmitters to send their location data to a three-metre-long antenna attached to the space station's outer wall. Icarus could also serve as an early warning system for natural disasters as there have been indications that animals behave abnormally before events such as severe earthquakes. 

Scientists also believe the research on migratory patterns could be used to prevent epidemics as animals can spread pathogens when they travel. Icarus successfully completed a four-months testing phase earlier this year. The project was supposed to begin last year, but was delayed by a defective processor aboard the space station which had to be replaced.

The Financial District would like to learn more from its audience. Can you please give us feedback on this article you just read. Click Here to participate in our online survey.