# Foton-M No.4

> Russian microgravity and bioscience research spacecraft

**Wikidata**: [Q4492215](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q4492215)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foton-M_No.4)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/foton-m-no-4

## Summary
Foton-M No.4 is a Russian microgravity and bioscience research spacecraft that was launched on July 18, 2014. It operated as an artificial satellite of Earth, built specifically for conducting scientific experiments in a microgravity environment.

## Key Facts
- Foton-M No.4 is a Russian microgravity and bioscience research spacecraft belonging to the Foton-M class.
- It was launched on July 18, 2014, from Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31.
- The spacecraft has a mass of 6840 kilograms.
- It was launched using a Soyuz-2.1a launch vehicle.
- Foton-M No.4 has the COSPAR ID 2014-041A and SCN 40095.
- The spacecraft was manufactured by Progress State Research and Production Rocket Space Center.
- It is categorized as both an artificial satellite of the Earth and a member of the Foton-M class of spacecraft.

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of Foton-M No.4?
A: Foton-M No.4 was designed for scientific experiments in microgravity and bioscience research. It carried payloads to study the effects of space environments on various biological and physical processes.

### Q: When and where was Foton-M No.4 launched?
A: Foton-M No.4 was launched on July 18, 2014, from Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31 using a Soyuz-2.1a launch vehicle.

### Q: Who manufactured Foton-M No.4?
A: Foton-M No.4 was manufactured by Progress State Research and Production Rocket Space Center, a Russian aerospace organization specializing in spacecraft production.

### Q: What is the significance of the Foton-M spacecraft series?
A: The Foton-M series represents Russia's dedicated microgravity research program, enabling scientific investigations in fields like biology, materials science, and physics that cannot be conducted effectively in Earth's gravity environment.

## Why It Matters
Foton-M No.4 represents an important component of Russia's space research infrastructure, providing a platform for microgravity experiments that advance scientific knowledge. These experiments focus on biological and physical processes in environments that cannot be replicated on Earth. As part of the broader Foton-M program, this spacecraft maintains Russia's technical expertise in unmanned spacecraft design while contributing valuable scientific data to the global space research community. The program's continuity since the 1980s demonstrates its significance in advancing microgravity research capabilities.

## Notable For
- Foton-M No.4 is part of the Foton-M series, which represents Russia's dedicated microgravity research program for biological and physical experiments.
- It was launched in 2014, continuing a program that has been active since the 1980s with previous generations of Foton spacecraft.
- The spacecraft was launched using the modern Soyuz-2.1a launch vehicle, which represents an evolution of the reliable Soyuz rocket family.
- With a mass of 6840 kilograms, it represents a substantial research platform capable of carrying multiple scientific payloads.
- It was specifically designed to operate in microgravity conditions, enabling unique scientific investigations that cannot be performed on Earth.

## Body
### Mission Overview
Foton-M No.4 was a Russian microgravity and bioscience research spacecraft launched on July 18, 2014. As part of the Foton-M series, it was designed specifically to conduct scientific experiments in a microgravity environment. The spacecraft had a mass of 6840 kilograms and was launched from Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31.

### Technical Specifications
- Class: Artificial satellite of Earth, Foton-M
- Manufacturer: Progress State Research and Production Rocket Space Center
- Launch Vehicle: Soyuz-2.1a
- Mass: 6840 kilograms
- COSPAR ID: 2014-041A
- SCN: 40095
- Freebase ID: /m/011f031d

### Launch Details
The spacecraft was launched on July 18, 2014, from Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31 using a Soyuz-2.1a launch vehicle. This launch marked the continuation of Russia's Foton program, which has been conducting microgravity research since the 1980s. The Baikonur Cosmodrome is one of the oldest and largest operational space launch facilities in the world.

### Scientific Purpose
Foton-M No.4 was equipped to carry out various microgravity experiments in biology and materials science. The spacecraft provided a controlled environment for studying how physical and biological processes behave without the influence of Earth's gravity. This research has applications in medicine, materials development, and understanding fundamental biological processes.

### Program Significance
As part of the Foton-M program, this spacecraft contributes to Russia's long-standing tradition of space-based scientific research. The program has produced valuable data for space exploration, including insights into how living organisms adapt to space environments, which is crucial for planning future long-duration missions.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report