Russians 'gecko sex' satellite lost in space

A Russian satellite with a crew of five lizards sent in space to understand the effects of weightlessness on sexual intercourse has gone missing.

The Russian satellite Foton-M4 was launched into space July 19 with four female geckos and one male gecko, along with fruit flies, mushrooms and scientific equipments.

The experiment was part of biology experiments by Russia's Institute of Medico-Biological Problems on the effects of weightlessness on mating, media reports said.

According to scientists at the Russian space firm Progress, they are still to receive video footage of mating geckos to help them explain how no gravity affects the sexual behaviour.

The scientists also planned to conduct experiments with zero gravity physics and bio-technology in weightlessness.

The Foton-M4 satellite can stay in orbit for up to four months.

The space agency Progress is trying hard to re-establish a connection with the satellite, reports added.