Bion - M1
US and Japanese scientists and educators placed seeds aboard the Russian Bion-M1 space mission in order to study the radiation effects that spaceflight has on the seeds. This type of plant growth research partnership also occurs between the US, Russia and Japan today on the International Space Station (ISS). On the ISS, long term experiments test the effects of low gravity and space radiation on plant growth and space seed germination rate.
The Bion missions launch in a pressurized satellite similar to the Russian Soyuz capsule and orbit the Earth for extended periods. When the capsule returns to Earth, the experiments are collected for analysis. The seeds for this experiment series flew on the Bion-M1 mission in April 2013. For this project, students will be comparing the growth of seeds exposed to space radiation to seeds that were not exposed. The project may continue for up to 3 years Using upcoming Bion missions.
Students and teachers received seeds that were flown on Bion-M1 and seeds of the same variety that were not flown in space. Students develop different experiments to test seed germination and growth under a variety of controlled conditions. They record the results, post them on the Web, and send a report or data to the Space Dynamics Laboratory. Throughout the project, students receive updates from the latest Bion missions.
Experiments
Participants
Japan
| Okayama, Japan | Research Institute for Bioresources, Okayama University |
| Kasaoka City, Okayama Prefecture | Oshima Junior High School |
| Kasaoka City, Okayama Prefecture | Chuou Elementary School |
| Asakuchi City, Okayama Prefecture | Yorishima Elementary School |
United States
| Waipahu, Hawaii | August Ahrens Elementary School |
| Honolulu, Hawaii | Hawaii Baptist Academy |
| Honolulu, Hawaii | Honpa Hongwanji Mission School |
| Kahului, Maui, Hawaii | Lihikai Elementary School |
| Honolulu, Hawaii | Punahou School |
| Ephraim, Utah | Ephraim Middle School |
| Gunnison, Utah | Gunnison Valley Middle School |
| Logan, Utah | Mount Logan Middle School |
| Moroni, Utah | North Sanpete Middle School |
| Wendover, Nevada | West Wendover Junior High |
Bion-M1 Launch April 19, 2013 Photo Credit: TsENKI
