Why was the Bion-M No. 2 satellite launched?

The Bion-M No. 2 satellite was launched into polar orbit to assess radiation levels and determine the suitability of this inclination for the Russian Orbital Station.

What did the Bion-M No. 2 satellite discover about polar orbits?

The satellite's mission revealed that the radiation load in polar orbit is higher than the radiation load experienced by the International Space Station.

How did the Bion-M No. 2 launch help the Russian Orbital Station?

The data gathered from the Bion-M No. 2 satellite's mission allowed Roscosmos to avoid making an error in selecting the orbital inclination for the Russian Orbital Station.

Home / Science / Russian Space Station Dodges Radiation Risk

Russian Space Station Dodges Radiation Risk

27 Jan

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Summary

Bion-M No. 2 satellite launch prevented an orbital inclination error.
Polar orbit radiation levels exceed those experienced by the ISS.
Roscosmos used satellite data to inform future station design.

Russian Space Station Dodges Radiation Risk

Roscosmos has successfully averted a critical error in the orbital inclination selection for the upcoming Russian Orbital Station (ROS). The launch and subsequent mission of the Bion-M No. 2 satellite, which occurred from August 20 to September 19, 2025, provided vital data.

This satellite was specifically sent into polar orbit to assess its viability for the ROS. The findings indicated that radiation levels in polar orbit are substantially higher than those encountered by the International Space Station (ISS) in its current orbital path.

According to Roscosmos CEO Dmitry Bakanov, this critical experiment allowed the corporation to make informed decisions and prevent a costly mistake in determining the ROS's orbital inclination, ensuring the safety and longevity of future Russian space endeavors.

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