Shenzhou-18 Crew Performs Health & Science Experiments | China Space Station
The Shenzhou-18 crew has carried out a series of in-orbit experiments, physical exercises, and their first extravehicular activities over the past one and a half months since they entered the China's space station on April 26, 2024.
The three Chinese astronauts, Ye Guangfu, Li Cong and Li Guangsu, were sent to the orbiting space station for a six-month mission on April 25, from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China.
Four zebrafish and hornwort were brought into orbit via the Shenzhou-18 spaceship for a life science and ecological experiment.
So far, the astronauts have successfully carried out two water samplings and one fish food container replacement. They have found abnormal directional behaviors of the zebrafish in microgravity, such as making rotational movements, going in circles and even swimming upside-down.
The water samples, fish eggs, and videos recording spatial movement behaviors of the zebrafish will be sent back to Earth for scientists to study the influence of the space environment on the growth and behaviors of vertebrates. This will provide references for research on material circulation of contained ecosystems in space.
The three astronauts completed the mission to replace samples of the container-free material cabinet. Previously, a number of key research projects had been carried out in the container-free cabinet, and many batches of experimental samples had been brought back to Earth for further tests and investigation.
The Shenzhou-18 crew also replaced a burner, plus vacuumized and exhausted waste gas on the combustion experimental cabinet.
The combustion experimental cabinet is one of the eight experimental cabinets carried by Mengtian, a lab module of China's space station. It can help scientists carry out in-depth research on basic science problems of combustion, space propulsion, fire safety for spacecraft, combustion pollution control, and other basic and applied technologies.
They have completed the installation of the conversion cable of the combustion solenoid valve, that can remotely controlled the switch of the solenoid valve, to accurately control fuel flow during experiments.
The crew also assembled and tested material extravehicular exposure of experimental equipment.
The astronauts in space face a series of physiological challenges brought about by the microgravity environment, including changes in the cardiovascular system, muscle atrophy, and bone density loss.
The three astronauts used an ultrasound diagnostic device to complete carotid artery ultrasound imaging and spectrum testing, and used an instrument to perform bone density testing.
They have performed regular weightlessness protection exercises, such as treadmill training and resistance training, so as to maintain good physical condition for the half-year mission.
The trio cooperated closely to complete the first spacewalk of their mission on May 28, 2024. They spent about 8.5 hours working outside the Tiangong space station and completed multiple tasks, including the installation of space debris protection devices. It was the longest spacewalk or extravehicular activity (EVA) record for China to date.
The crew will utilize scientific experiment cabinets and extravehicular payloads to conduct more than 90 experiments in the fields of basic physics in microgravity, space material science, space life science, space medicine and space technology.
Shenzhou-18 Crew:
Ye Guangfu (叶光富, commander)
Li Cong (李聪, mission specialist)
Li Guangsu (李广苏, mission specialist)
Video Credit: China Central Television (CCTV) Video News Agency
Duration: 1 minute, 18 seconds
Release Date: June 17, 2024
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