Quote from: vapour_nudge on 03/03/2013 10:28 pmCould somebody kindly explain why these experiments aren't instead done on the ISS -perhaps spread across several misions?1. some experiments require better microgravity than achievable on ISS. 2. some experiments potentially are too risky for ISS if failed (because of risk of bio contamination).3. some experiments have requirements of return results in timespan | size | mass which could not be meet by Soyuz or Dragon. And last but not least: Bion M1 is cheaper.
Could somebody kindly explain why these experiments aren't instead done on the ISS -perhaps spread across several misions?
When or where do they load the biological specimens; in the MIK?
Process will be similar to the late adding of items in Progress or Dragon.
No, it is impossible to have access to Progress when it is on launch pad
Quote from: Nicolas PILLET on 03/04/2013 12:08 pmNo, it is impossible to have access to Progress when it is on launch padIt is possible, late loading is doing on the launch pad.
Quote from: Star One on 03/01/2013 09:51 pmOther than an aquarium (source Wikipeda) what else does the payload consist of?IDK, manufacturers website only lists the countries/institutions at this time. Actual payloads, like the last mission, should be added online in the next 1-2 weeks.
Other than an aquarium (source Wikipeda) what else does the payload consist of?
Quote from: russianhalo117 on 03/01/2013 11:23 pmQuote from: Star One on 03/01/2013 09:51 pmOther than an aquarium (source Wikipedia) what else does the payload consist of?IDK, manufacturers website only lists the countries/institutions at this time. Actual payloads, like the last mission, should be added online in the next 1-2 weeks.Thanks for that. What sort of orbit is this intended to go into, the same as previous missions or something different this time?
Quote from: Star One on 03/01/2013 09:51 pmOther than an aquarium (source Wikipedia) what else does the payload consist of?IDK, manufacturers website only lists the countries/institutions at this time. Actual payloads, like the last mission, should be added online in the next 1-2 weeks.
Other than an aquarium (source Wikipedia) what else does the payload consist of?
A few tidbits per Roskosmos - mission duration: 30 days.Who is onboard: "It is planned that the spacecraft will carry 45 mice, 8 Mongolian gerbils and 15 newts and snails. In addition, "Bion-M" № 1 is supposed to run about 40 containers with a variety of microorganisms, as well as containers with higher plants. "We also find geckos will be onboard - Science Summary: " Based on the goals and objectives of the planned experiments, the full range of scientific equipment is divided into three groups:• scientific equipment designed for biomedical experiments;• scientific instruments designed to conduct experiments on gravitational biology and biotechnology;• scientific equipment designed to radiation physics and radiobiology experiments. Biomedical experiments are conducted on small laboratory animals - mice and geckos."On a related note the IMBP has a new website we can watch for the science on this mission:http://www.imbp.ru/
Isn't that "superball" someone mentioned earlier up in the thread a straight derivative of the Vostok sharik? It certainly looks like it. And I know that after its life as Vostok and Voskhod, the sharik led the life of a spysat and other purposes. This Bion satellite just is Vostok's umpteenth reincarnation, it seems.(Which makes it the oldest still in service spacecraft, if I am correct).
It almost looks eerie that 52 years after Gagarin's flight the iconic spherical return module is still in active use - I doubt Korolev expect that! Is there any public list of what kind of experiments are on board (and from which institutions), and the variety and number of "animalnauts" on board?
Quote from: Galactic Penguin SST on 04/01/2013 01:10 pmIt almost looks eerie that 52 years after Gagarin's flight the iconic spherical return module is still in active use - I doubt Korolev expect that! Is there any public list of what kind of experiments are on board (and from which institutions), and the variety and number of "animalnauts" on board? Is it the only Russian craft still to be using such an iconic design?
Quote from: Star One on 04/04/2013 04:35 pmQuote from: Galactic Penguin SST on 04/01/2013 01:10 pmIt almost looks eerie that 52 years after Gagarin's flight the iconic spherical return module is still in active use - I doubt Korolev expect that! Is there any public list of what kind of experiments are on board (and from which institutions), and the variety and number of "animalnauts" on board? Is it the only Russian craft still to be using such an iconic design?Foton-M uses a similar design to Bion-M.
