The launch of the "Bion-M" No. 2 biosatellite has been postponed to July 2025. This decision was made by specialists from Roscosmos and the Russian Academy of Sciences.
The main goal of the mission is to study the conditions of high-latitude flight before the launch of a new Russian orbital station. Experts will study the growth of algae, which are needed to support the life of astronauts during long flights.
The effects of microorganisms on materials in weightlessness will also be studied. 1500 drosophila, 75 mice, as well as plants, cell cultures and microorganisms were prepared for launch.
The satellite will have to reach an orbit at an altitude of about 800 km, which implies a higher radiation load compared to the ISS orbit. Initially, the launch was postponed to the spring of 2025, but now the date has been moved to the summer.
The mission will continue the research started in 2013 with the launch of "Bion-M" No. 1. On board were various living organisms, including mice, gerbils, geckos, snails, plants and microorganisms.
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