The C.E.B.A.S.-Aquarack project: the laboratory prototype and first results of the scientific frame program

The paper explains the basic conception of a "Closed Equilibrated Biological Aquatic System" (C.E.B.A.S.) incorporated in a Aquarack as a research tool for zoological, botanical and interdisciplinary research in space biology and describes the construction principle of laboratory prototype consisting of a modular habitat for aquatic animals a semi-biological/physical water recycling system and a computerized control unit. Further on the running scientific frame program in which as well five german and two U.S.-universities as the DLR Institute of Aerospace Medicine are involved is presented which includes the subtopics reproductive biology, genetics, embryology/teratology, neurobiology, vestibularis research, stress research general endocrinology, ethology, gerontology and skeleton research. Within this the choice of the experimental animals, the teleost Xiphophorus helleri (vertebrate model) and the pulmonate snail Biomphalaria glabrata (invertebrate model) is explained. Examples of results of the scientific program mainly derive from the hardware-related research and from the reproductive biology subproject with X. helleri.