NSSDCA/COSPAR ID: 1973-083A
Bion 1 (Cosmos 605) carried several dozen rats, six boxes of tortoises, a mushroom bed, four beetles, and living bacterial spores. It provided data on the reaction of mammal, reptile, insect, fungal, and bacterial forms to prolonged weightlessness.
The spacecraft was based on the Zenit reconnaissance satellite and launches began in 1973 with primary emphasis on the problems of radiation effects on human beings. Launches in the program included Cosmos 110, 605, 670, 782, plus Nauka modules flown on Zenit-2M reconnaissance satellites. 90 kg of equipment could be contained in the external Nauka module.
Launch Date: 1973-10-31
Launch Vehicle: Soyuz-U
Launch Site: Plesetsk, U.S.S.R
Mass: 5500 kg
Questions and comments about this spacecraft can be directed to: Coordinated Request and User Support Office