MOSCOW, February 18 (RIA Novosti) - Russia’s Bion-M satellite and a Soyuz-2.1b carrier rocket have been delivered to the Baikonur space launch center in Kazakhstan, the Federal Space Agency Roscosmos said on Monday.

Bion-M, part of the Federal Space Program, will conduct fundamental and applied research in space biology, physiology and biotechnology while in orbit.

The research program includes experiments with rodents to study the organism’s systemic reactions to microgravitation, as well as the impact of radiation and microgravitation on the organism.

The satellite will carry 24 sets of research instruments and equipment installed both inside and outside the spacecraft. The bio-satellite is due for launch in late April.