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Biosatellite BION-M1 was launched on April 19 and landed on May 19, 2013. The mission program was largely a continuation of the earlier flown 11 BION projects, FOTON-M2 and FOTON-M3. The biosatellite was inhabited by a great variety of living organisms used for experiments and studies in gravitational physiology, gravitational biology, biotechnology, astrobiology and radiation biology, dosimetry and spectrometry. This was the first time in the history of national biology and physiology when male mice C57bl/6 were chosen for a long-term space experiment focused upon molecular biology investigations. Unfortunately, because of technical failures during the flight a part of the animals were lost. However, the major objectives were attained through reconsideration of biomaterial division among investigators and completion of virtually the total scope of investigations.

The Bion project was initiated in 1970 and became the longest space research project in existence. Its primary goal was to perform theoretical and applied research on animals and other specimens flown onboard dedicated unmanned space vehicles, termed biosatellites. The Bion project included flights of 11 biosatellites carrying Wistar rats, rhesus monkeys, and other representatives of the animal and plant worlds. Scientists and engineers from many different countries have taken part in these Bion experiments.