Bion 8 was a Bion satellite

Bion (satellite)

The Bion satellites or Bion space program , also named Biocosmos, were a series of Soviet biosatellites. They were part of the Cosmos satellites....

. It carried scientific instruments for continuing research into the effects of spaceflight on monkey

Monkey

A monkey is a primate, either an Old World monkey or a New World monkey. There are about 260 known living species of monkey. Many are arboreal, although there are species that live primarily on the ground, such as baboons. Monkeys are generally considered to be intelligent. Unlike apes, monkeys...

s and other biological objects, radiation safety, and physics. Research and experiments were also carried out, within the framework of international cooperation, on the study and use of space for peaceful purposes. Taking part in the experiment were scientists from the Hungarian People's Republic, German Democratic Republic, Polish People's Republic, Romanian Socialist Republic, Czechoslovak Socialist Republic, United States, France, and European Space Agency

European Space Agency

The European Space Agency , established in 1975, is an intergovernmental organisation dedicated to the exploration of space, currently with 18 member states...

. The mission ended after 13 days.

NSSDC ID: 1987-083A http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/database/MasterCatalog?sc=1987-083A

Other Names

• Biocosmos 8
• Cosmos 1887
• 18380

Launch Date/Time: 1987-09-29 at 12:50:00 UTC

On-orbit Dry Mass: 6700 kg