# Bion

> satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q25283](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q25283)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bion_(satellite))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/bion

## Summary
Bion is a series of Soviet and Russian biological research satellites designed to study the effects of spaceflight on living organisms. These artificial satellites orbited Earth and carried various animals and plants into space for scientific experiments.

## Key Facts
- Bion satellites were biological research spacecraft developed by the Soviet Union and later Russia
- The program included at least 11 missions (Bion 1 through Bion 11)
- Bion 10 was the first mission launched by Russia after the dissolution of the Soviet Union
- The satellites studied both plants and animals in space environments
- Bion satellites are classified as artificial satellites of Earth
- The program's Wikipedia page exists in 9 languages including English, Spanish, French, and German

### Q: What was the purpose of Bion satellites?
A: Bion satellites were designed to study the effects of spaceflight on living organisms, carrying animals and plants into orbit for biological research experiments.

### Q: Which countries operated the Bion satellite program?
A: The Soviet Union operated the first nine Bion missions, while Russia launched the final two missions (Bion 10 and Bion 11) after the Soviet Union dissolved.

### Q: How many Bion missions were launched?
A: At least 11 Bion missions were launched, numbered sequentially from Bion 1 through Bion 11.

### Q: What types of organisms were studied on Bion satellites?
A: Bion satellites carried both plants and animals into space for biological research, though specific species are not detailed in the available information.

### Q: Where can I find more information about Bion satellites?
A: Information about Bion satellites is available on Wikipedia in multiple languages and has a dedicated Commons category for program-related media.

## Why It Matters
Bion satellites represent a crucial chapter in space biology research, providing scientists with the ability to study how living organisms respond to the space environment without the need for human spaceflight. These missions advanced our understanding of radiation exposure, microgravity effects, and other space-related biological phenomena that are essential for planning long-duration human space missions. The program bridged Soviet and Russian space research efforts, continuing biological experiments that began with earlier programs like Vostok and Cosmos. By studying both plants and animals, Bion satellites contributed to knowledge that would eventually support human spaceflight safety and the potential for biological life support systems in space.

## Notable For
- Being the primary Soviet and Russian biological research satellite program
- Successfully operating across both Soviet and post-Soviet eras
- Studying multiple generations of organisms in space
- Contributing to the foundation of space medicine and astrobiology
- Maintaining a consistent research focus across political transitions

## Body
### Program Overview
The Bion program consisted of biological research satellites launched primarily by the Soviet Union between 1973 and 1997, with Russia continuing the program after 1991. These artificial satellites orbited Earth while carrying various biological specimens for scientific study.

### Mission History
The program included at least 11 missions, with Bion 1 through Bion 9 launched by the Soviet Union, and Bion 10 and Bion 11 launched by Russia. The missions were numbered sequentially, suggesting a continuous research effort spanning over two decades.

### Research Focus
Bion satellites were specifically designed to study the effects of spaceflight on living organisms. The program investigated both plant and animal biology in space environments, contributing to our understanding of how microgravity and space radiation affect biological systems.

### Technical Classification
These spacecraft are classified as artificial satellites of Earth, placing them in the broader category of spacecraft that orbit our planet. The program maintained a consistent focus on biological research throughout its operational history.

### International Recognition
The Bion program has achieved international recognition, with Wikipedia pages available in nine languages and a dedicated Commons category for program-related media. This multilingual presence indicates the program's significance in the global space research community.

## Schema Markup
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "Bion",
  "description": "Series of Soviet and Russian biological research satellites",
  "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bion_(satellite)",
  "sameAs": [
    "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q4837690",
    "https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/Бион_(спутник)"
  ],
  "additionalType": "Artificial satellite"
}

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
2. BabelNet