# Bion 2

> satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q25849](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q25849)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kosmos_690)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/bion-2

## Summary
Bion 2 was a Soviet biological research satellite launched on October 22, 1974, from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome. It was part of the Bion program, designed to study the effects of spaceflight on living organisms. The spacecraft had a mass of approximately 6,000 kilograms and was operated by the Russian Academy of Sciences.

## Key Facts
- Launched on October 22, 1974, at 17:59:59 UTC from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43/4
- Mass: 6,000 kilograms (13,228 pounds)
- Operated by the Russian Academy of Sciences
- Launched using a Soyuz-U rocket
- Manufacturer: Progress State Research and Production Rocket Space Center
- COSPAR ID: 1974-080A
- Instance of: Bion satellite and artificial satellite of Earth
- Also known as Kosmos 690
- Followed by Bion 3 and preceded by Bion 1

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of Bion 2?
A: Bion 2 was a biological research satellite designed to study the effects of spaceflight on living organisms as part of the Soviet Bion program.

### Q: When and where was Bion 2 launched?
A: Bion 2 was launched on October 22, 1974, at 17:59:59 UTC from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43/4 in the Soviet Union.

### Q: What type of rocket launched Bion 2?
A: Bion 2 was launched using a Soyuz-U rocket, a variant of the Soyuz rocket design.

## Why It Matters
Bion 2 represents a significant contribution to biological space research during the Cold War era. As part of the Bion program, it helped advance our understanding of how living organisms respond to the space environment, including microgravity and radiation exposure. This research was crucial for planning longer-duration human spaceflight missions and understanding potential biological impacts on astronauts. The Bion program, including Bion 2, provided valuable data that continues to inform modern space biology and astrobiology research, contributing to our knowledge of life sciences in extreme environments.

## Notable For
- First Bion satellite to be designated as Kosmos 690 in the Soviet/Russian Kosmos series
- Part of the pioneering Bion program for biological research in space
- Used Soyuz-U rocket, demonstrating the versatility of this launch vehicle
- Operated by the Russian Academy of Sciences, showing early collaboration between space agencies and scientific institutions
- Contributed to the foundation of space biology as a scientific discipline

## Body
### Technical Specifications
Bion 2 was a biological research satellite with a mass of 6,000 kilograms. It was designed to carry living organisms into space for scientific study. The spacecraft was equipped with life support systems and scientific instruments to monitor the biological specimens during their time in orbit.

### Launch and Mission
The satellite was launched on October 22, 1974, at 17:59:59 UTC from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43/4 using a Soyuz-U launch vehicle. The launch was successful, placing Bion 2 into its intended orbit around Earth. The mission duration and specific orbital parameters are not provided in the source material.

### Program Context
Bion 2 was the second satellite in the Bion program, a series of Soviet (later Russian) biological research satellites. The program was designed to study the effects of spaceflight on living organisms, including plants, animals, and microorganisms. This research was crucial for understanding how life adapts to space conditions and for preparing for human spaceflight.

### Operational Details
The satellite was operated by the Russian Academy of Sciences, indicating a strong scientific focus for the mission. The spacecraft was manufactured by the Progress State Research and Production Rocket Space Center, a major Russian aerospace company.

### Legacy
As Kosmos 690, Bion 2 became part of the larger Kosmos series of Soviet and Russian satellites. The Bion program continued with subsequent missions, including Bion 3, building on the knowledge gained from Bion 2 and other early biological satellites.

## Schema Markup
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "Bion 2",
  "description": "Soviet biological research satellite launched on October 22, 1974, as part of the Bion program",
  "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kosmos_690",
  "sameAs": [
    "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1057507",
    "https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/Бион_(спутник)"
  ],
  "additionalType": "Satellite"
}

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. [Source](http://www.astronautix.com/b/bion.html)