China’s latest space endeavor, the Shenzhou-18 manned spaceship, was launched on April 25th from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. Carried by a Long March-2F carrier rocket, it aims to ferry three taikonauts to the Tiangong space station for a six-month mission.
Leading the mission is Ye Guangfu, who previously participated in the Shenzhou-13 mission. Joining him are first-time space travelers Li Cong and Li Guangsu. Ye serves as the mission commander.
The primary focus of the Shenzhou-18 mission is scientific exploration. Over 90 experiments spanning basic physics, space material science, life science, medicine, and technology will be conducted. Lin Xiqiang, the deputy director of the China Manned Space Agency, emphasized the importance of these experiments during a press conference.
One particularly unique experiment involves creating an “aquarium” in space. Using zebrafish and algae, the crew will study the effects of zero gravity on aquatic ecosystems. If successful, this experiment could pave the way for cultivating vertebrates in space, offering potential nutritional benefits for future astronauts.
Additionally, the crew will conduct experiments on cultivating plants in microgravity. This research aims to analyze how the space environment affects plant stem cells’ function and gene expression, potentially informing the development of space-adapted crops.
Another experiment involves molecular research on proteins and nucleic acids, as well as testing a new spacecraft coating material. Moreover, the crew will grow Arabidopsis seeds in space, freeze them at minus 80 degrees Celsius, and bring them back to Earth for further analysis.
Overall, the Shenzhou-18 mission represents a significant step forward in China’s space exploration efforts, combining scientific research with practical applications aimed at advancing our understanding of space and enhancing capabilities for future space missions.
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