Foton-11 capsule recovery

The returned descent capsule of Foton-11 after a successful mission. Visible are the Crocodile (top) and IBIS (bottom) facilities of CNES. 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: 23-10-97] [97.12.010-010]