Foton microgravity missions

Palomar · 2005-06-17 08:29:44

http://www.universetoday.com/am/publish … 2005]Click

*Returned to Earth after a 16-day mission in LEO. Mission objectives included fluid physics, exobiology, crystals, radiation, etc. 39 space experiments in all.

I searched with "Foton" for "the year" -- no results, so apparently this is the first thread for it.

ESA sure is quiet. :hm: This is the first reference to the mission I recall seeing. Congrats to ESA on this. Will look forward to seeing the results/data rolling in.

--Cindy

SpaceNut · 2005-06-17 08:46:11

While the last shuttle did meet its doom and that some experiments did yield some data. The remainder however incomplete or damaged where recently redone with the help of Russian space lab ferries experiments back to Earth as well as others that had been on a russian vehicle that had blown up as well.

An international collection of experiments safely returned to Earth today with a fiery sunrise re-entry aboard the recoverable Foton space capsule after spending over two weeks conducting operations and studies in orbit.
After a fall through the atmosphere protected by an ablative head shield, three parachutes were deployed to slow the entry vehicle prior to touchdown. While descending toward the ground under the main parachute, the Foton was to have fired braking rockets to further cushion the impact.
Inside the return capsule was a wide variety of international experiments designed to take advantage of the microgravity environment for research in many scientific disciplines, engineering tests, and technology demonstrations. The Foton was packed with a total of about 1,200 pounds of payloads mainly from European nations.

There was an oxygen generation unit and lots of other stuff please all read on for it has lots of details on the mission in the article.

SpaceNut · 2005-06-17 10:02:13

Another article European Experiments Back On Earth With Conclusion Of Foton-M2 Mission

Biopan before flight at ESTEC with the lid open. Experiments are mounted on support plates in the bottom section and the lid of Biopan. ESA representatives were at the landing site for retrieval of European experiments including Biopan.

More missions are planned for 2007 as Foton-M3.

Yang Liwei Rocket · 2006-01-10 02:16:13

Mission Profile
www.spaceflight.esa.int/users/index.cfm?act=default.page&level=11&page=1473

What no bubbles? Results of the ARIEL experiment from Foton-M2 mission
http://www.esa.int/esaHS/SEM2JH0VRHE_research_0.html
4 January 2006
The Foton-M2 space flight mission, deployed in Low-Earth Orbit between 31 May and 16 June 2005, has produced some very interesting results in the area of fluid physics. The ARIEL experiment, flown in ESA’s FluidPac instrument as part of the Foton-M2 payload was investigating how the application of an electric field to a liquid in weightlessness affects the boiling process.

EuroLauncher · 2007-03-01 13:28:43

Scientists rehearse for Foton mission
http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEMUGCN0LYE_Life_0.html
1 March 2007
Over 60 scientists and technicians have taken up temporary residence in ESA's brand new microgravity science laboratory, where, for the coming days, they will rehearse procedures to prepare experiments for the Foton M3 mission later this year.

Yang Liwei Rocket · 2007-09-15 13:09:36

ESA PR 28-2007. An unmanned Foton spacecraft, carrying a payload of more than 40 ESA experiments, was successfully launched earlier today. The Soyuz-U launcher lifted off from Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan, at 13:00 CEST (11:00 GMT).

cIclops · 2007-09-16 02:29:30

space gerbils blaze trail for humans to Mars

MOSCOW (AFP) — Ten gerbils took off from the Russian-run Baikonur space centre in Kazakhstan on Friday for a 12-day voyage to test the possible effects of a human mission to Mars, an official said Friday.
A Foton-M spaceship with the rodents on board took off on a Soyuz rocket, mission official Anfisa Kazakova told AFP by telephone.
The rocket is to include a cage with 10 rodents with the aim of studying the physiological and biological effects of long-term flights, she said.
The small mammals, related to rats and mice and often used as pets by children will be kept in cages containing cereals, nuts and dry grapes. Special equipment will be used to clean their excrement in the weightless conditions.
The gerbils will be filmed in their special environment, where day and night will be simulated, while the ventilation and temperature will be closely controlled.
Information will be regularly transmitted to Earth, but their film will only be viewed on their return to earth, Kazakova said.
The landing will be similar to that experienced by human cosmonauts, but the welcome will be decidedly cold, with several of the rodents to be dissected.

An interesting experiment, but how do they study the effects of long-term flights on a 12 day mission?

Yang Liwei Rocket · 2007-09-16 07:27:12

Most rodents only live about two years, so the effects on them can be greater and quicker, Arthritis, Weakening of immune system, cataracts all happens at a much faster rate. In "dogyears" or whatever you people call it, these rodents could have spent many months in space, so the experiment provides some good data. They only big problem is the body of a gerbil is very different to that of a human being.

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#1 2005-06-17 08:29:44

Re: Foton microgravity missions

#2 2005-06-17 08:46:11

Re: Foton microgravity missions

#3 2005-06-17 10:02:13

Re: Foton microgravity missions

#4 2006-01-10 02:16:13

Re: Foton microgravity missions

#5 2007-03-01 13:28:43

Re: Foton microgravity missions

#6 2007-09-15 13:09:36

Re: Foton microgravity missions

#7 2007-09-16 02:29:30

Re: Foton microgravity missions

#8 2007-09-16 07:27:12

Re: Foton microgravity missions

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