Replica Cosmos-782 (Bion-3) satellite
Object No. 97/2/5
This is a full-scale replica of biosatellite Cosmos-782, also known as Bion-3. Biosatellites were a series of satellites focused on space medicine. Cosmos-782 was the first joint biomedical research spaceflight launched by the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (Soviet Union) and United States of America (United States), following the Science and Applications Agreement made between the two countries in 1971. The satellite was launched from Plesetsk Cosmodrome, a Russian spaceport located about 800 km north of Moscow, on 25 November 1975. It carried fourteen experiments from seven countries including France, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Czechoslovakia, the Soviet Union and the United States. The spacecraft contained both fixed compartments and a centrifuge into which over twenty different species were placed to study the effects of microgravity and radiation on living organisms. These included identical groups of white Wistar rats, tortoises, fruit flies, carrot tissue and cells, and fish embryos. After 19.5 days in space, Bion-3 returned to Earth and was recovered in Siberia on 15 December 1975. Replicas like this promoted international collaboration in the space program between the then two main rival space faring nations: the Soviet Union and United States. Replicas like this were produced by the Soviet Academy of Sciences for exhibitions that toured both locally and internationally. They were used to showcase the technological and engineering capabilities of the Soviet Union, particularly during the ‘space race’ period (1955-1975). Melissa Hulbert, Curatorial Assistant and Andrew Jacob, Curator, 2020 References: ‘Bion 3’, NASA Space Science Data Coordinated Archive, National Aeronautics and Space Adminstration (NASA), Washington DC, 14 May 2020 <https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1975-110A>, accessed 6 July 2020. N N Livshits, M A Kuznetsova, Z I Apanasenko, E S Meizerov, ‘Preservation and recovery of food-procuring skill of rats in a maze after space flight on the ‘Kosmos-782’ biosatellite’. Neuroscience and Behavioral Physiology, Vol 12 No 3, 1982, pp 193-198.
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Summary
Object Statement
Satellite, replica, Cosmos 782 (Bion-3), metal / wood / plastic, Exhibition Centre, Academy of Sciences of the Soviet Union, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR), about 1975-1984
Physical Description
A full scale replica of the Cosmos 782 biological research satellite, also known as Bion-3. The spacecraft consists of a spherical, polished metal main body, fitted with observation windows, with a short, cylindrical service module at one end, and a conical propulsion/service module at the other end. This replica is fitted with an electrical system that allows internal illumination, highlighting the internal experimental apparatus, which includes models of the laboratory rats used on the spacecraft. Small fittings on this replica may be actual flight hardware, used instead of making reproductions of awkwardly shaped parts. The replica stands on a large, v shaped base, painted grey. **DO_NOT_REMOVE**
DIMENSIONS
Height
3000 mm
Width
1500 mm
PRODUCTION
Notes
The original space probe, although unpiloted, was based on the Soyuz crewed spacecraft, itself originally designed by engineers working at the Korolyev Design Bureau, under the ultimate control of the Soviet Academy of Sciences. In the Soviet system, the term 'Design Bureau' denoted an academic/technical institute under the leadership of a senior scientist or engineer. There were several 'Design Bureaux' associated with the Soviet space program, each associated with different space projects, but responsible for both rocket and spacecraft development. The Soyuz spacecraft, first introduced in 1967, was the last piloted vehicle designed with direct input from Sergei Korolyev, who was a leading figure in the Soviet space program. It was common practice in the Soviet space program to adapt a successful design for multiple uses, and the Soyuz design was re used in a wide range of automated spacecraft, for both scientific and military purposes. There was also input into the internal design and layout of the experimental apparatus from the Institute of Biomedical Problems, the Soviet research institute which oversaw all space-related life sciences and biological research. This replica was manufactured in the workshops of the Exhibition Centre of the then Soviet Academy of Sciences. The original spacecraft was manufactured in the workshops of the Korolyev Design Bureau. No information has ever been provided by the Soviet/Russian Academy of Sciences as to the actual construction date of any of the replicas lent to the museum. The proposed date is a best estimate, based on the evidence of prior display, before the material came to the Powerhouse. The original Cosmos-782 was constructed in 1975.
HISTORY
Notes
This replica was made by the Soviet Academy of Sciences for use in exhibitions about the Soviet space program mounted outside the USSR. It is not known what previous exhibitions it may have been used in. The original Bion spacecraft was developed by the USSR as part of its Cosmos series of scientific research satellites. The Cosmos series covered a wide range of scientific research, with the Bion program being one project within the larger series. The Bion program grew out of earlier Soviet space biological research and was planned as an international collaborative research effort. Originally involving seven nations, an expanded program continued until December, 1996. Cosmos 782, the third Bion satellite, also represented the first time that American experiments were flown on a Soviet spacecraft. The satellite carried 14 experiments, including a centrifuge, and its live cargo included white rats, tortoises, flies, crayfish and a range of plant specimens. Cosmos 782 was launched on 25 November 1975 and touched down on 15 December. There were eleven Bion satellite launches from 1973-1996, of which the USA participated in nine, ending with Bion-11 in 1996. The missions ranged from five days to twenty-two days in space. The spacecraft were based on the Vostok and Zenit satellites with the primary goal of investigating radiation effects on humans. The Bion biosatellite program resumed with the launch of Bion-M1 on April 19, 2013. Originally owned by the USSR Academy of Sciences this replica was lent (L2046) to the museum in 1987 with other replica spacecraft and space memorabilia. This entire collection was purchased by the museum in 1996.
SOURCE
Credit Line
Purchased 1997
Acquisition Date
20 January 1997
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