Pioneer Biosatellite (1968)

[Graham1973]

While trying to locate a Douglas proposal to modify an S-IVb into an orbiting bioresearch lab I found this report on the possible use of the Pioneer VI-IX bus for a series of heliocentric orbiting BioSats.

A study was conducted to determine the feasibility and practicality of conducting biological experiments aboard a Pioneer spacecraft in heliocentric orbit. Among the biological problems amenable to study on such a vehicle is the question of the stability of circadian systems divorced from geophysical cues.

...

The results of the study demonstrated the practicality of implementing biological experiments aboard a Pioneer spacecraft and recommend a follow-on study for program definition preparatory to initiation of a BioPioneer Program.

Feasibility study for conducting biological experiments aboard a Pioneer spacecraft

http://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/19680010877_1968010877.pdf