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Bion

Bion spacecraft

Foton spacecraft


Key payloads on the Bion-M No. 1 satellite.


Previous chapter: Bion-M satellites series

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Onboard science

The first Bion-M mission was set to last 30 days, and like its predecessors, the project was led by Institute of Medical and Biological Problems of Spaceflight, IMBP, in Moscow with international participation. The official scientific goals of 79 experiments installed inside the Bion-M capsule and on the exterior of the spacecraft included four areas:

  • Studies of molecular and physiological mechanisms of adaptation to microgravity;
  • Effects of space environment on biological organisms and their vital functions;
  • Growing of protein crystals under conditions of weightlessness;
  • Measurements of space radiation and spectrometry.

The spacecraft (which received a manufacturing number L15000-01) was expected to carry 24 scientific payloads with a total mass of more than 500 kilograms, including a number of live species:

  • 45 laboratory mice (Mus musculus, C57black/6) as part of MLZh-01 experiment;
  • 8 Mongolian gerbils (Meriones ungviculatus) as part of the Kontur-BM experiment;
  • 15 geckos (Chondrodactylus turneri Gray);
  • 20 snails (Helix pomatia Linnaeus);
  • Fish;
  • Plants;
  • Seeds;
  • Microorganisms;
  • Bio-substances. (624)

The main experiment of the mission (MLZh-01) included 45 genetically identical male species of mice with implanted sensors to monitor muscle reaction, cardiovascular and nervous system as well as genetic changes in space. During the flight animals would be housed in three sections of the unit (with five cages each) and each cage containing three animals.

A feeding mechanism was to provide a paste-like food made of cereal mixed with vitamins, minerals and water six times a day. Blood pressure would be monitored continuously for five mice.

Additional three MLZh-01 containers were to carry groups of five geckos each, who were also chosen for Bion-M and previous Foton-M missions because of their resilience and low maintenance. Their ability to attach themselves to practically any surface in upside down position makes them especially interesting subject of experiments without gravity.

The MLZh experiment would rely on the systems of the Bion-M satellite for life support and power supply.

A Kontur-BM container with an autonomous life-support system was to house eight mongolian gerbils. Animals requiring very little water to surive would be fed with a paste-like substance containing 70 percent of water, rather than regular water and thus avoid a failure-prone systems. The hardware derived from an experiment originally developed to feed birds onboard the Mir space station, but it was also flight-tested onboard the last Foton-M satellite. It was expected to be the last mission of the Kontur-BM experiment.

During the entire mission, cages with mice, gerbils and geckos will be provided with light for 12 hours and left in darkness for another 12 hours. Animals would be video-monitored roughly every two hours during the "day" periods.

A pair of ventilated containers in the BB-1M experiment were to house snails -- a classic species for studies of vesicular system.

Another notable experiment was provided by researchers from Germany, who developed a sophisticated Omegahab fish aquarium with an artificial environment designed to grow fish eggs during the flight. In its closed-loop system, algae was designed to produce all necessary oxygen for the fish.

According to IMBP, Bion's diverse scientific program promised to better prepare humans for interplanetary missions.

According to the original plan, the Bion-M No. 1 was to carry an MKA-TUS astrophysics satellite that would be separated after the main spacecraft reached orbit. However, it was dropped from the mission and the available room on its holding adapter was offered to potential users. In May 2012, TsSKB Progress announced that secondary payloads from Germany, France and the Netherlands would be launched along with the test version of its Aist satellite during the first Bion-M mission.

 


APPENDIX

Payloads and experiments onboard Bion-M No. 1 satellite (as of 2013):

-
Experiment name
Field of study
Developer
1
Kontur-BM
Live science experiments with gerbils
IMBP (SKB EO)
2
MLZh-01 No. 1, No. 2, No. 3
Live science experiments with mice
SKTB Biophyzpribor
3
Belka
Gravitational biology and biotechnology research
NIISK (Branch of TsENKI)
4
Biokont-B
Gravitational biology and biotechnology research
TsNIIMash
5
Fragmenter
Research into microbiological recycling of organic materials in space flight
IMBP
6
Omegahab
Biological research in water environment
Kayser-Threde
7
Graviton
Fast-reaction analysis of microgravity onboard the spacecraft
SGAU
8
Bioimpedans
Cell functioning
SGAU
Autonomous payloads inside the descent module
9
Biokon
Biological samples growth
Kayser Italia
10
Biotrek-TD
Radiation physiological study
IMBP/Biokhimmash
11
BB-1M
Fundamental research into the role of gravity in biology
IMBP
12
Dozimeter RD-B3
Radiation measuring
IMBP
13
SPD
Radiation physiological study
IMBP
14
FITO
Monitoring of influence space environment on the chemistry of seeds
SamGMU
Autonomous payloads on the exterior of the spacecraft (in the KNA-B package)
15
Karbon
Exposure of silicon carbide to space environment
IMBP
Autonomous payloads on the exterior of the spacecraft
16
Meteorit
Evaluation of influence of meteorites on Earth's rock formations
IMBP
17
Ekzobiofrost / Ekzomikrobiologia
Permafrost samples exposure to space environment
IMBP
18
Abioginez
Peptides and nucleotides synthesis
IMBP

 

Payloads and experiments onboard Bion-M No. 1 satellite (as of 2009):

-
Experiment name
Field of study
Developer
1
Kontur-BM
Live science experiments with mongolian gerbils
IMBP (SKB EO)
2
MLZh-01 No. 1, No. 2, No. 3
Life-science experiments with mice
SKTB Biophyzpribor
3
Biokont-B
Gravitational biology and biotechnology research
TsNIIMash
4
Fragmenter
Research into microbiological recycling of organic materials in space flight
IMBP
5
Graviton
Fast-reaction analysis of microgravity onboard the spacecraft
SGAU
6
BB-1M
Fundamental research into the role of gravity in biology
IMBP
7
Babl-Detektor
Registering bubbles formed under the influence of radiation
IMBP
8
RD-B3
Radiation measuring
IMBP
9
KNA-5
Radio-biological research
IMBP
10
Meteorit
Evaluation of influence of meteorites on Earth's rock formations
IMBP
11
Biotrek-TD
Radiation physiological study
IMBP
12
SPD
Radiation physiological study
IMBP
13
Belka
Manufacturing of protein crystals with liquid and gas diffusion
Barmin KBOM
14
RIBES
Space biology
Kayser Italia
15
Granada
Protein crystal growth
ESA
16
Dimak
Acceleration measurements inside spacecraft in the range from 0.0001 to 200 Hz.
ESA
17
Omegahab
Biological research in water environment
Kayser-Threde

*Reduced from original 60 and 45 days

 

Next chapter: Preparing Bion-M No. 1 for flight

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The article by Anatoly Zak; Last update: May 24, 2013

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IMAGE ARCHIVE

MLZh

One of the rat housing units installed into the MLZh experiment during tests. Credit: IMBP


gerbil

Eight mongolian gerbils would become key "passengers" on the Bion-M No. 1 mission, because of their small mass (40-50 grams) and low demand for water. Credit: IMBP


Cage

A cage with gerbils installed into the Kontur-BM unit. Credit: IMBP


Lizard

A gecko "boards" its MLZh-01 container in preparation for launch of the Bion-M No. 1 satellite on April 17, 2013. Credit: TsENKI


Snail

Snails would be other live passengers on Bion-M. Credit: IMBP


omegahab

An Omegahab fish tank for the Bion-M No.1 mission. Credit: IMBP


preparation

Preparation of Omehab experiment for launch. Credit: IMBP


SA

The descent module of the Bion-M No. 1 satellite during pre-launch processing. Credit: Roskosmos