Russia’s space agency has re-established communication with its Foton-M4 satellite in Earth’s low orbit, three days after losing contact. The robotic spacecraft contains geckos participating in experiments on how space conditions impact reproduction.
“We have conducted several communication sessions, and the
link is stable,” said Roscosmos chief Oleg Ostapenko.
“We are sure that we will be able to conduct 90 percent of
what we initially planned.”
Foton-M4 will be following its current orbit until Monday, while
scientists discuss whether their experiments require the original
trajectory, which is further from Earth, and engineers try to
analyze what may have led to the communication failure. The two
main versions considered by Roscosmos are mechanical damage
through contact with space debris, and an internal fault in the
equipment.
The satellite, the latest in a series that commenced in 2002, is
meant to return to Earth in a controlled manner two months after
its launch from Baikonur exactly a week ago.
The most eye-catching experiment saw a male gecko teamed up with
four females, to see the effects of micro-gravity on their
fertility, and the structure and health of their eggs. Every part
of the mating ritual was to be filmed by multiple on-board
cameras, to be replayed once the creatures returned.
Other organisms on board include fruit flies, mushrooms, and
microbes, which are to be used for experiments aimed at
generating electricity. Non-organic studies on the 6.8-ton
satellite will test the semi-conductor properties of crystals.
If, upon its return, it is discovered that the Foton-M4 was
damaged by space debris, it will raise concern at the increasing
pollution of the atmosphere. There are an estimated 22,000
man-made objects 10 centimeters or larger in orbit – big enough
to penetrate the outer covering of the ISS.