Today at 20:13 Moscow time, a Soyuz-2.1b launch vehicle with the Bion-M No. 2 spacecraft was successfully launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome. The launch was carried out at the estimated time, the flight proceeded in normal mode.
At the 570th second of the flight, the head unit separated from the third stage of the rocket. Further launching of the spacecraft into the target orbit will be provided by the booster unit.
Bion-M No. 2 is a unique scientific laboratory designed for conducting fundamental and applied research in the field of space biology, physiology and biotechnology.
On board the 6.4-ton spacecraft are 75 mice, about 1.5 thousand fruit flies, cell cultures, plants (calendula, echinacea, moss fiscomitrella), samples of cereals, legumes and industrial crops.
In addition, fungi, lichens, cellular materials and plant seeds grown from seeds that flew into space on Bion-M No. 1 (2013) and Foton-M No. 4 (2014) will be launched into space.
The main goal of the mission is to study the effect of prolonged stay in space flight conditions on living organisms. Scientists are studying the effects of weightlessness, radiation and other factors of outer space on physiological, genetic and biochemical processes.
The data obtained will help scientists better understand the impact of the space environment on biological systems, which is important for preparing long-term manned flights. In addition to the scientific program, the mission includes research on educational projects for schoolchildren.
According to calculations, the first stage of the rocket will fall 350 km from the Baikonur Cosmodrome, the second - 1520 km. In addition, there is a possibility of parts of the rocket falling in the Krasnovishervsky district of the Perm region, which the authorities warned the population in advance.
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Biosatellite Bion-M No. 2 with space mice on board is refueled and prepared for launch