Ten of the 75 mice on board the biosatellite “Bion-M“ No. 2 died during the space flight, the Institute of Biomedical Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences announced.
The satellite carrying its biological payload was launched on August 20 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome and spent the planned time in orbit at an altitude of 370-380 kilometers.
“The cause of death of these animals was different. "These are male mice, aggressive animals with complex intragroup conflicts," the report said.
In addition to the mice, the satellite also carried flies, stem cells, plants and microorganisms.
On September 19, the Russian satellite "Bion-M" No. 2, carrying the mice, landed in the Orenburg region.