Animals in Space: Russia's Bion-M1 Space Capsule Carries Cosmic Zoo (Gallery)

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Liftoff! Russian Soyuz Launches Bion-M1

Credit: TsENKI

A Russian Soyuz rocket launches the Bion-M1 animal-carrying space capsule into orbit from Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan on April 19, 2013. [Read the Full Story]

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Bion-M1: Next Stop, Space

Credit: TsENKI

A Russian Soyuz rocket soars toward orbit carrying the Bion-M1 animal-carrying space capsule on April 19, 2013 after a smooth launch from Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan. [Read the Full Story]

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Experiment BIOS MLZH 01 Studying Mice

Credit: Institute of Biomedical Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences

This image shows scientific equipment for studying mice, BIOS MLZH 01, to be flown on the Bion-M1 mission. [Read the Full Story]

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Bion-M1 Mission Logo

Credit: NASA

The Bion-M1 mission logo depicts a mouse and a gecko. [Read the Full Story]

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History of Animals in Space (Infographic)

Credit: Karl Tate, SPACE.com Infographics Artist

Fruit flies launched in 1947 became the first animals to reach outer space and be recovered alive. See the full history of animals in space here.

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Soyuz Rocket with Bion-M1

Credit: TsENKI

This amazing view shows Russia's animal-carrying Bion-M1 spacecraft atop its Soyuz rocket awaiting launch from a pad at Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan. Liftoff set for April 19, 2013. [Read the Full Story]

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Bion-M1 Animal Space Capsule

Credit: Russian Federal Space Agency

The Bion-M1 space capsule, which will carry animals into space in April 2013, is seen during mission preparations at its Baikonur Cosmodrome launch site in Kazakhstan. [Read the Full Story]

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Bion-M1 Spacecraft's Geckos

Credit: Roscosmos

This image shows the final outfitting of the Bion-M1 spacecraft with biological objects and animals. [Read the Full Story]

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Geckos for Bion M1 Mission

Credit: Roscosmos

Geckos will fly on the Russian Bion M1 space mission for the purposes of biological research. [Read the Full Story]

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Snails for Bion-M1 Mission

Credit: Institute of Biomedical Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences

Snails will be flown on the Bion-M1 space mission for purposes of scientific research. [Read the Full Story]

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Mongolian Gerbil Chipping

Credit: Institute of Biomedical Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences

A Mongolian gerbil receives an electronic chip. Gerbils of this type will fly on the Bion-M1 mission for research into the biological and physiological effects of spaceflight on them. [Read the Full Story]

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Omegahab Experiment

Credit: Institute of Biomedical Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences

Omegahab houses biological experiments in an aqueous medium, to be flown on Bion-M1 spacecraft. [Read the Full Story]

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Mouse Weighing

Credit: Institute of Biomedical Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences

A mouse is weighed in preparation for the Bion-M1 mission. [Read the Full Story]

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Ground Test of the Contour-BM Experiment

Credit: Institute of Biomedical Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences

The Contour-BM experiment will involve Mongolian gerbils to be flown on the Bion-M1 mission. [Read the Full Story]

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Unloading Bion-M1 Spacecraft

Credit: Roscosmos

Workers unload the spacecraft Bion-M1 in the Baikonur Cosmodrome. Image taken Feb. 2, 2013. [Read the Full Story]

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Bion-M1 Spacecraft Final Checks

Credit: Russian Federal Space Agency

Russian engineers perform the final checks on the Bion-M1 spacecraft animal experiments while preparing for an April 19, 2013 launch. [Read the Full Story]

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Bion-M1 Stork Experiment

Credit: Russian Federal Space Agency

Russian engineers attach the "Stork" experiment to the Bion-M1 animal-carrying space capsule as part of space biology experiments. The mission launches on April 19, 2013. [Read the Full Story]

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Bion-M1 Spacecraft Delivery

Credit: Russian Federal Space Agency

Russia's Bion-M1 spacecraft to launch animals on a month-long space mission is delivered to its launch site at Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan in February 2013. Liftoff is set for April 19. [Read the Full Story]

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Soyuz Bion-M1 Payload Delivery

Credit: TsENKI

The animal-carrying Bion M1 space capsule, covered in its payload fairing, is prepared for integration to its Soyuz rocket at Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Liftoff set for April 19, 2013. [Read the Full Story]

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Soyuz Rocket Carrying Bion-M1

Credit: TsENKI

The Russian Soyuz rocket carrying the Bion-M1 space capsule filled with animals moves toward its launch pad at Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Launch is set for April 19, 2013. [Read the Full Story]

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Soyuz Rocket with Bion-M1: Launch Pad

Credit: TsENKI

The Soyuz rocket carrying the Bion-M1 space capsule, an animals in space experiment, is raised into launch position at Baikonur Cosmodrome pad in Kazakhstan. Liftoff set for April 19, 2013. [Read the Full Story]

Animals in Space: Russia's Bion-M1 Space Capsule a Cosmic Zoo (Gallery)

Liftoff! Russian Soyuz Launches Bion-M1

Bion-M1: Next Stop, Space

Experiment BIOS MLZH 01 Studying Mice

Bion-M1 Mission Logo

History of Animals in Space (Infographic)

Soyuz Rocket with Bion-M1

Bion-M1 Animal Space Capsule

Bion-M1 Spacecraft's Geckos

Geckos for Bion M1 Mission

Snails for Bion-M1 Mission

Mongolian Gerbil Chipping

Omegahab Experiment

Mouse Weighing

Ground Test of the Contour-BM Experiment

Unloading Bion-M1 Spacecraft

Bion-M1 Spacecraft Final Checks

Bion-M1 Stork Experiment

Bion-M1 Spacecraft Delivery

Soyuz Bion-M1 Payload Delivery

Soyuz Rocket Carrying Bion-M1

Soyuz Rocket with Bion-M1: Launch Pad

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