Biopan-2 opening at ESTEC

ESA's Biopan-2 experiment carrier is opened at ESTEC after a successful mission. Before this, its internal temperature was slowly raised from the 5degC storage level to ambient, and the pressure slowly balanced with atmospheric. Its good condition means that it can be used as Biopan-3 on the Foton-12 mission in 1999 after refurbishment of its heat shield, hinge, cabling and connectors. Russia's Foton-11 microgravity mission was launched from Plesetsk on 9 October 1997 carrying ESA's Biobox-3 and external Biopan-2 facilities, plus three autonomous experiments, totalling 12 biology experiments involving scientists from France, Belgium, Spain, Germany, The Netherlands and Russia. Foton also carried payloads from CNES and DARA. The descent capsule landed safely 100 km south-east of Kustenai in Kazakhstan on 23 October 1997. [Image Date: 27-10-97] [97.12.006-002]