Foton - M4
Foton-M4 is a Russian microgravity research satellite that was launched successfully aboard a Russian Soyuz 2-1A launch vehicle from the Baikonur Cosmodrome on July 18, 2014.
Foton-M4 carried 22 experiments into space to study the effects of the harsh space environment on organisms and manufacturing materials, including marigold and corn seeds. After six weeks in orbit, the Foton-M4 descent module parachuted back to Earth and was recovered 1 September 2014.
Plant Growth Research Project
The purpose of the international plant growth research project is for students to compare the growth of seeds exposed to space radiation (space-based) to seeds not exposed to space radiation (land-based).
The current growth experiment runs from early February 2015 until plant harvest. For participating schools, use the following downloads for guidelines and harvest protocol.
Collected Data
Participants
Japan
Kasaoka City, Okayama Prefecture | Chuou Elementary School |

United States
North Hollywood, California | Campbell Hall School |
Honolulu, Hawaii | Punahou School |
Wendover, Nevada | West Wendover Junior High |
Ephraim, Utah | Ephraim Middle School |
Gunnison, Utah | Gunnison Valley Middle School |
Gunnison, Utah | Gunnison Valley High School |
Logan, Utah | Mount Logan Middle School |
Logan, Utah | Logan High School |
Mt. Pleasant, Utah | North Sanpete Middle School |
North Davis, Utah | North Davis Junior High |
Salt Lake City, Utah | Dual Immersion Academy |
Vernal, Utah | Eagle View Elementary |
Wendover, Utah | Wendover High School |
West Valley, Utah | West Valley High School |

Foton-M4 is equipped with a data handling system that will collect and store payload data and provide a daily status summary that is downlinked to ground stations. Photo courtesy Tsenki
Foton-M4 satellite was launched July 18, 2015 atop a Soyuz 2-1A rocket blasting off from the Baikonur Cosmodrome. Photo courtesy Roscosmos
Foton-M4 retrieved September 2014. Photo courtesy Roscosmos