# Bion 8

> satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q26005](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q26005)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kosmos_1887)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/bion-8

## Summary
Bion 8 was a Soviet satellite launched in 1987 as part of the Bion program, conducting biological research in space. It operated for approximately two weeks before re-entering Earth's atmosphere. The spacecraft was designed to study the effects of microgravity on living organisms.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date**: September 29, 1987, at 12:49:59 UTC from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 41.
- **Country**: Soviet Union.
- **Operator**: Russian Academy of Sciences.
- **Manufacturer**: Progress State Research and Production Rocket Space Center.
- **Launch Vehicle**: Soyuz-U rocket.
- **COSPAR ID**: 1987-083A.
- **Mass**: 6,700 kilograms.
- **Orbital Period**: 90.5 minutes at an altitude of 214–382 kilometers and 62.8° inclination.
- **Decay Date**: Re-entered Earth's atmosphere on October 12, 1987.
- **Preceded By**: Bion 7; **Followed By**: Bion 9.

## FAQs
### Q: When was Bion 8 launched and how long did it operate?
A: Bion 8 launched on September 29, 1987, and operated until its re-entry on October 12, 1987, conducting experiments for approximately two weeks.

### Q: What was the purpose of the Bion 8 mission?
A: The mission aimed to study biological processes in space, focusing on the effects of microgravity on living organisms through onboard experiments.

### Q: What happened to Bion 8 after its mission?
A: The satellite decayed from orbit and re-entered Earth's atmosphere on October 12, 1987, concluding its mission.

## Why It Matters
Bion 8 contributed to advancements in space biology and international scientific collaboration. As part of the Bion program—a series of satellites dedicated to biomedical research—it provided critical data on how living organisms adapt to microgravity. These findings supported future human spaceflight initiatives and deepened understanding of physiological changes in space. Despite its relatively short mission duration, Bion 8 played a role in the broader context of Soviet and later Russian space science, emphasizing the importance of orbital experiments for Earth-based applications.

## Notable For
- **Biological Research Focus**: Carried experiments to study the effects of spaceflight on plants, animals, and microorganisms.
- **Orbital Characteristics**: Operated in a low Earth orbit with a high inclination (62.8°), typical of Soviet scientific satellites.
- **Short Mission Timeline**: Completed its objectives within two weeks, reflecting the program's emphasis on concise, targeted studies.
- **Part of a Legacy Program**: Extended the Bion series' role in international cooperation, with data shared among global scientists.

## Body
### Launch and Deployment
Bion 8 launched on September 29, 1987, at 12:49:59 UTC from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 41 aboard a Soyuz-U rocket. The spacecraft, weighing 6,700 kilograms, was manufactured by the Progress State Research and Production Rocket Space Center under the Soviet Union's space program.

### Spacecraft Specifications
- **Mass**: 6,700 kg.
- **Orbit**: 214 km (periapsis) to 382 km (apoapsis) at 62.8° inclination.
- **Orbital Period**: 90.5 minutes.
- **Operator**: Russian Academy of Sciences.
- **COSPAR ID**: 1987-083A.

### Mission Profile
The satellite conducted biological experiments over 14 days, focusing on the effects of microgravity. Its mission concluded with atmospheric re-entry on October 12, 1987. Bion 8 followed Bion 7 and preceded Bion 9 in the program's sequence.

### Decay and Legacy
After completing its experiments, Bion 8 decayed from orbit, disintegrating during re-entry. The mission exemplified the Bion program's goal of leveraging space-based research for terrestrial scientific and medical advancements.

## Schema Markup
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Satellite",
  "name": "Bion 8",
  "description": "Soviet satellite launched in 1987 for biological research in space.",
  "url": "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6272367",
  "sameAs": [
    "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kosmos_1887",
    "https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/Космос-1887"
  ],
  "manufacturer": "Progress State Research and Production Rocket Space Center",
  "operator": "Russian Academy of Sciences",
  "launchDate": "1987-09-29",
  "launchVehicle": "Soyuz-U",
  "mass": "6700 kg",
  "cosparId": "1987-083A",
  "country": "Soviet Union"
}

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013