Foton 14

Also called Foton M2

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General

Designation	28686 / 05020A
Launch date	31 May 2005
Country of origin	CIS
Mission	Scientific: microgravity studies
Perigee/Apogee	260/302 km
Inclination	63°
Period	93 min
Launch vehicle	Soyuz
Launch site	Tyuratam

First Foton launch from Baykonur.

Carries 300 kg of ESA-supplied payload (39 experiments). Most of the failed Foton 13 experiments are onboard. Total mass at launch: 6300 kg. Russia had 20 experiments.

ESA's experiments are mainly focused on fluid physics, chemistry, material science and biology. In particular, the Fluidpac experiment aims at studying heat transfer in microgravity to develop new heat-exchangers designs. Chemical diffusion experiments called SCCO (Soret Coefficients in Crude Oil) will contribute to more efficient oil exploration processes. Moreover, material science investigations in the Agat and Polizon facilities will help to develop better semiconductor alloys. Finally, biological research is highly represented on the scientific platform with the Biopan experiment, which is flying on a Foton spacecraft for the fifth time.

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End of life

Out of service	16 Jun 2005
Cause	Normal deorbit
Decay	16 Jun 2005 at 07:36 UT

Downlink: 239.5 MHz

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