Beijing, October 30, 2023 — The China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) has released its inaugural report detailing scientific research and applications aboard China’s space station, highlighting 34 significant achievements since the station’s full completion on December 31, 2022.
The report showcases a diverse array of breakthroughs across multiple disciplines. Notably, there are 13 advancements in space life and human research, 12 in microgravity physical science, and nine in new space technology and application research. These achievements include several world firsts, such as the development of germplasm resources for rice and ratoon rice in space, and the differentiation of human embryonic stem cells into hematopoietic stem and precursor cells under microgravity conditions.
In the realm of physical sciences, the space station has hosted the world’s first cold atom interference gyroscope operating in microgravity and established a high-throughput in-orbit microbial control test platform. Additionally, it has sustained the longest-running water ecosystem in orbit, contributing valuable data to ecological and environmental studies.
Since December 1, 2024, China’s space station has implemented 181 scientific and application projects. These extensive research activities involved transporting nearly two tonnes of scientific materials to the station, returning approximately 100 types of experimental samples to Earth, and generating over 300 terabytes of scientific data.
These groundbreaking results are the culmination of efforts by 63 scientific research teams nationwide. Their work has led to the publication of over 500 high-level papers in Science Citation Index (SCI) journals and the acquisition of more than 150 patents, underscoring China’s growing influence in space science and technology.
Looking ahead, the CMSA announced plans for the space station to undertake more than 1,000 research projects over the next 10 to 15 years. The agency emphasized a commitment to active scientific popularization and international cooperation, aiming to broaden the impact of its space endeavors.
Since entering the application and development stage at the end of 2022, China’s space station has operated smoothly, successfully completing multiple manned missions. These include four manned flight missions, three cargo resupply missions, and four spacecraft re-entry missions. To date, five groups of Chinese taikonauts have lived aboard the station, conducting 10 extravehicular activities that have advanced various scientific and technological objectives.
The CMSA also confirmed the selection of candidates for the fourth cohort of Chinese taikonauts, signaling continued progress in the nation’s manned space exploration efforts.
The report reinforces China’s commitment to advancing space science and technology and highlights the country’s growing role in international space research and collaboration.
Reference(s):
China releases first report on space station research and application
cgtn.com
