Bion-M

Bion-M
Mission name	Bion-M
Operator	Roscosmos
Launch date	April 19, 2013
Launch vehicle	Soyuz-2.1a
Launch site	Baikonur Cosmodrome
Mission duration	30 days

Bion-M is a Russian Federal Space Agency spacecraft that was launched on April 19, 2013, from the Baikonur Cosmodrome using a Soyuz-2.1a launch vehicle. The mission was designed to study the effects of microgravity on living organisms, including geckos, mice, and snakes, in collaboration with NASA, European Space Agency, and Canadian Space Agency. The Bion-M spacecraft was equipped with a range of scientific instruments, including those provided by University of California, Berkeley, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and University of Oxford. The mission was also supported by Russian Academy of Sciences, Institute of Biomedical Problems, and Moscow State University.

Introduction

The Bion-M mission was part of a series of Bion program spacecraft, which were designed to study the effects of spaceflight on living organisms. The mission was developed in collaboration with NASA, European Space Agency, and Canadian Space Agency, and involved the participation of scientists from University of California, Los Angeles, Harvard University, and University of Cambridge. The Bion-M spacecraft was launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome using a Soyuz-2.1a launch vehicle, which was also used for the Phobos-Grunt mission. The mission was controlled by the Mission Control Center in Moscow, with support from European Astronaut Centre and NASA Johnson Space Center.

Spacecraft Design

The Bion-M spacecraft was designed to provide a microgravity environment for the scientific experiments, and was equipped with a range of systems, including life support system, temperature control system, and communication system. The spacecraft was built by TsSKB-Progress, a Russian company that has also developed the Soyuz spacecraft and Progress spacecraft. The Bion-M spacecraft was launched into a low Earth orbit, with an altitude of around 575 kilometers, and an inclination of 64.9 degrees. The spacecraft was also equipped with instruments provided by University of Tokyo, University of Sydney, and University of Toronto.

Mission Objectives

The primary objective of the Bion-M mission was to study the effects of microgravity on living organisms, including geckos, mice, and snakes. The mission also aimed to investigate the effects of spaceflight on the immune system, nervous system, and musculoskeletal system of the animals. The scientific experiments were designed by researchers from University of California, San Diego, Stanford University, and University of Chicago, in collaboration with NASA Ames Research Center, European Space Agency, and Canadian Space Agency. The mission also involved the participation of scientists from Russian Academy of Sciences, Institute of Biomedical Problems, and Moscow State University.

Launch and Orbit

The Bion-M spacecraft was launched on April 19, 2013, from the Baikonur Cosmodrome using a Soyuz-2.1a launch vehicle. The launch vehicle was provided by Roscosmos, the Russian space agency, and was also used for the GLONASS mission. The spacecraft was launched into a low Earth orbit, with an altitude of around 575 kilometers, and an inclination of 64.9 degrees. The spacecraft was also tracked by the European Space Agency, NASA, and Canadian Space Agency, using a range of ground-based and space-based assets, including the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System.

Scientific Payload

The Bion-M spacecraft was equipped with a range of scientific instruments, including those provided by University of California, Berkeley, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and University of Oxford. The scientific payload included experiments to study the effects of microgravity on the immune system, nervous system, and musculoskeletal system of the animals. The spacecraft also carried instruments to study the radiation environment in space, including the Cosmic Ray Telescope provided by University of Tokyo. The scientific experiments were designed by researchers from University of California, Los Angeles, Harvard University, and University of Cambridge, in collaboration with NASA, European Space Agency, and Canadian Space Agency.

Mission Results

The Bion-M mission provided a range of scientific results, including data on the effects of microgravity on the immune system, nervous system, and musculoskeletal system of the animals. The mission also provided insights into the radiation environment in space, and the effects of spaceflight on the behavior and physiology of the animals. The scientific results were published in a range of journals, including Nature, Science, and Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, and were presented at conferences, including the International Astronautical Congress and the American Astronautical Society meeting. The mission was also supported by Russian Academy of Sciences, Institute of Biomedical Problems, and Moscow State University, and involved the participation of scientists from University of California, San Diego, Stanford University, and University of Chicago.

Category:Spacecraft