Makararych Mukhoyan, a scientific consultant at TsNIIMash`s Center for Automatic Space Systems and Complexes, stated that the launch of the Возврат-MKA-L biosatellite, designed to simulate interplanetary flight, is possible but not anticipated in the immediate future.
Mukhoyan confirmed the existence of this project, stating that it is included in space biological research programs. He reiterated that the project`s implementation is likely not possible in the near term.
He explained that the Возврат-MKA differs from the Bion and Bion-M series satellites, which orbit near Earth, because its descent module will enter the Earth`s atmosphere at second cosmic velocity, approximately 11 kilometers per second. Scientific equipment for the mission will be developed with this high speed in mind, the scientist added.
Previously, it was reported that the Возврат-MKA biosatellite, carrying living organisms, was planned for a mission to an orbit reaching up to 200,000 kilometers. This mission is intended to simulate interplanetary flight and assess galactic cosmic radiation.
