Scientists took out animals from the "Bion M" space vehicle

Scientists opened a capsule and took out animals from the "Bion M" space vehicle, landed on the field near Donetskoye village of Perevolotsky district of Orenburg Region in the morning on May 19, Azamat Salihov, the head of news office of Russia TV Channel informs.

Originally the landing was planned on the border with Bashkortostan republic near Bulanovo village of the Orenburg Region, however the capsule with biological objects was carried down by the wind for 80 kilometres towards Samara. Nevertheless, experts quickly reached the place of landing and deployed a field laboratory there to make the first studies.

"Bion M" is the Russian space vehicle intended for research making in the field of space biology, physiology and biotechnology. The capsule with animals onboard was put into orbit on April 19. The satellite crew included 45 mice, 8 sand eels, 15 geckoes, snails, crustaceans, fish and various microorganisms. Besides, as the head of the "Bion" project the deputy director of Institute of Medical and Biologic Issues of the Russian Academy of Sciences Vladimir Sychev said, a unique Russian-German experiment on research of ability to live of the closed biosystem consisting of fish and seaweed was realised – fish breathed the oxygen generated by seaweed. As it became known, fish survived a space journey normally. A part of mice died, but, according to experts, it was within normal limits. Animals throughout a month were effected high doses of radiation and overloads – the capsule was 600 kilometres higher than the orbit of the International Space Station, and even in it mice did not manage to survive in such conditions. As a whole, according to scientists, the experiment was successful.

After extraction of scientific equipment from the capsule it will be utilised, and a new "Bion" will be constructed which start is planned in two years.