Transferring life to other planets: Russian scientists are preparing the ground for establishing a foothold on Mars.

The Russian Soyuz-2.1 launch vehicle delivered the latest expedition members to the ISS, along with a highly unusual package containing hundreds of fruit flies as part of a crucial experiment. Scientists believe this experiment will help answer a number of fundamental questions that are currently hindering the construction of the ROS orbital station and the exploration of the Moon and Mars.

The corresponding scientific program began in the USSR back in 1973. After the launch of the first manned orbital station, Salyut 1, in 1971, it became clear that several factors could hinder the expansion of human habitation into near-Earth orbit.



Scientists began to doubt that humans could survive long periods in space without harm. Concerns were raised about the effects of weightlessness, especially when combined with cosmic radiation.

That's why the Bion program was launched, which involved sending special satellites carrying living organisms into orbit: from bacteria and fungi to insects and primates. The research sparked such interest in humanity that countries such as the United States and France joined the program already in its third phase.

Until 1997, such experiments were conducted regularly. During this period, 11 spacecraft were launched into orbit. This resulted in numerous recommendations for cosmonauts, helping to preserve their lives and health. However, due to a lack of funding, further work in this area was put on hold for a long time.

The program was only revived in 2013, when the Bion-M No. 1 spacecraft was launched into orbit, carrying 45 mice, 8 gerbils, 15 geckos, snails, crustaceans, fish, and various microorganisms. The experiment subsequently continued, allowing Russian scientists to obtain the necessary data.

Although humans have become quite comfortable in orbit these days, the importance of this research is difficult to overestimate. The fact is, humans currently feel confident only in the orbit in which space stations operate.

However, Russia's plans to build its own orbital station, ROS, which is planned to be placed in an unusual polar orbit, require additional information. After all, radiation levels there are 30% higher than in the orbit occupied by the ISS.

That's why the Bion-M No. 2 spacecraft was launched into a sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of 370-380 kilometers this fall. The data received is currently being deciphered, leaving open the question of the ROS station's orbital position.

However, the task of Russian scientists is not only to preserve the lives and health of cosmonauts; it is much broader. Plans to explore the Moon and travel to distant planets have not been cancelled. Therefore, it is essential to thoroughly study all the nuances of the effects of cosmic radiation on humans over long periods of time.

That's why the Bion experiment is continuing, with a new satellite planned for launch in 2030. It's noteworthy that Russia is conducting this work without the participation of "foreign partners."

It's worth noting that Russian science has already answered at least one serious question. Through complex experiments, scientists have proven that the hypothetical transfer of life between planets is indeed possible. Consequently, Russia could independently send specific types of resistant bacteria to other planets to create the necessary soil, atmosphere, and other conditions for future human colonization.

The problem, as scientists explain, is that the necessary bacteria still need to be developed. But that's just a matter of time.