Biosatellites

Biosatellites are satellites carrying biological experiments designed to study the effects of spaceflight on living organisms and to test life sciences technologies in space. They may carry microorganisms, plant seeds, small animals, cell cultures, or tissue samples, and sometimes equipment to monitor physiology, metabolism, or environmental conditions. Data from biosatellites has informed our understanding of radiation biology, microgravity effects on development and reproduction, circadian rhythms, and the stability of biological systems in orbit. Some missions also tested life-support hardware and medical countermeasures for astronauts. Depending on the mission design, a biosatellite may return samples to Earth or be left in orbit to collect data for extended periods.

Historically, biosatellites were flown by major spacefaring nations during the early space age. In the United States, NASA organized a dedicated Biosatellite program beginning in the 1960s that conducted several missions to study plants, insects, and small vertebrates under spaceflight conditions. The Soviet Union carried out a parallel program, notably the Bion series, which conducted long-duration biological experiments aboard orbital platforms. Other countries and organizations have pursued biosatellite flights to support university research and technology development.

Today most biological research in space is conducted aboard the International Space Station, but small, dedicated biosatellites and CubeSats continue to be used by universities and industry to perform targeted experiments, test sensors and life-support concepts, or return biological samples for analysis. The term remains in use to describe satellites whose primary purpose includes biological research rather than Earth observation or communications.