Russia has launched the BION-M2 satellite, the first biological satellite in history to be placed into polar orbit. The mission is studying the effects of radiation on living organisms in conditions as close as possible to interplanetary flights.
On board are 75 mice, including genetically modified animals and animals with radiation protection, 1,500 fruit flies, bacteria, plants and human cells. One of the goals is to find out how organisms respond to a high radiation load. This is especially important amid plans to create a new Russian orbital station and future expeditions to the Moon and Mars.
For the first time, scientists are testing the resilience of microorganisms sent into space without thermal protection. This should help determine whether life can spread between planets — an idea at the heart of the panspermia hypothesis.
Recent studies have shown that in some rodents, cosmic radiation can improve cognitive functions and even alleviate symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. As a result, the mission may provide new knowledge about aging and neurodegenerative diseases.
