Mick Hartley

Meet the tardigrade, aka the water bear or moss piglet:

It's been selected (well, perhaps not this particular one, but a tardigrade) to head into space aboard the Endeavour:

In 2007, a little known creature called a tardigrade became the first animal to survive exposure to space.

It prevailed over sub-zero temperatures, unrelenting solar winds and an oxygen-deprived space vacuum.

On Monday, this microscopic cosmonaut has once again hitched a ride into space on the Nasa shuttle Endeavour.

Its mission: to help scientists understand more about how this so-called "hardiest animal on Earth" can survive for short periods off it.

It looks so improbable: a microscopic vacuum cleaner with nozzle for a selection of clip-on attachments. Plus expandable extreme-weather-proof coat.

Good to know, after we've all gone, that the moss piglet will survive.