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Animal space crew back on earth
SPACE
VISIONARY
YOUR E-MAIL ALERTSMOSCOW, Russia -- Russia's Photon M-2 laboratory has safely returned to Earth with its crew of lizards, scorpions, snails and other animals. The mini-lab spent 16 days in orbit as part of an experiment Russian and European researchers hope will lead them to develop a new generation of medicines to target a variety of diseases. The satellite landed on the steppes of Kazakhstan in Central Asia, touching down smoothly with the aid of a parachute. It was launched on a Russian rocket on May 31. While in orbit, the animals were subjected to several tests in the search of cures for immuno-deficient conditions, viral diseases and cancer. It was not immediately clear how its crew fared on the re-entry or whether the scientists believe the experiment to have been successful. The satellite was carrying some 385 kilograms (850 pounds) of equipment. Meanwhile, the remnants of a Russian cargo ship carrying garbage have sunk in the Pacific Ocean after being jettisoned hours earlier from the International Space Station. Valery Lyndin, a spokesman for Russian mission control, said much of the Progress M-52 burned up re-entering orbit and the rest splashed into the water somewhere between New Zealand and South America. What was left would not harm the local environment, officials said. Russian cosmonaut Sergei Krikalyov and U.S. astronaut John Phillips had loaded the ship with more than a ton (1.12 U.S. tons) of waste and used equipment. Copyright 2005 CNN. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Associated Press contributed to this report. 
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