Russia to launch bioscience satellite

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MOSCOW, Feb. 18 (UPI) -- A Russian satellite that will conduct biological experiments in space and its launch rocket have been delivered to the Baikonur space center, officials said.

As part of Russia's Federal Space Program, the Bion-M spacecraft will conduct fundamental and applied research in space biology, physiology and biotechnology while in orbit, the Roscosmos space agency reported Monday.

The satellite, scheduled to launch in later April from the space center in Kazakhstan, will be equipped with 24 sets of research instruments installed both inside and outside the spacecraft, RIA Novosti reported.

The research program includes experiments with rodents to study reactions to microgravity and the impact of radiation, officials said.