Foton 15

Also called Foton M3

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General

Designation	32058 / 07040A
Launch date	14 Sep 2007
Country of origin	CIS
Mission	Scientific: microgravity studies
Perigee/Apogee	258/280 km
Inclination	53°
Period	90 min
Launch vehicle	Soyuz #878

The capsule carries a 400 kg European experiment payload with approx 40 experiments in a range of scientific disciplines - including fluid physics, biology, crystal growth, radiation exposure and exobiology.

There are also some NASA experiments on board experiments that are to increase fundamental knowledge of the effects of space on genetics, cell proliferation and tissue regeneration, as well as the physiological effects of microgravity.

In addition, the Young Engineers Experiment (YES2) is to be deployed from the Foton capsule. On 25 September, a small re-entry capsule was released from a tether measuring 31 km. The Fotino capsule was released. Yes2 was to demonstrate the possibility of returning small payloads to Earth at a fraction of the cost of current methods.

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End of life

Out of service	26 Sep 2007
Cause	Normal deorbit
Decay	26 Sep 2007 at 07:58 UT

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External resources

http://www.yes2.info/

sat-index articles

Technical data

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Specifications

Prime contractor
Platform
Mass at launch	6400 kg
Dry mass
Dimension	6.2 m high x 2.5 m diameter
Solar array
Stabilization
DC power
Design lifetime	A few days

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