It was an international biomedical research mission involving scientists from nine countries, launched on 29 September 1979, at 15:30:00 UTC.

Among the experiments was the first attempt to breed mammals in space, which proved unsuccessful.

The mission had the cooperation of the Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, East Germany, France, Hungary, Poland, Romania, the United States and the Soviet Union.

Experiences NASA were designed to study the effects of radiation on mice, quail embryos and some plant specimens.

the effects of microgravity on plant tissues were investigated using carrots and carrot cancerous tissue to study the effects of space flight on the growth and development of plants.