Last week aboard China’s orbiting space station, the Shenzhou-20 crew kicked off a series of experiments and research activities designed to deepen our grasp of life and work in microgravity.
It all began when the cargo spacecraft Tianzhou-9 arrived on July 15, delivering 6.5 tonnes of supplies—the station’s largest haul since Tianzhou-6. Astronauts unloaded consumables, propellant, and advanced equipment for experiments and tests.
In aerospace medicine, crew members ran cell experiments inside the human system research cabinet: manually observing sample images, recovering and preserving specimens. These studies aim to reveal how extended spaceflight shapes physical health—and yield insights for terrestrial medicine.
Biotechnology took center stage as the crew used the biotechnology experiment cabinet to examine how microgravity affects skeletal muscle precursor cell migration and the behavior of nucleic acid lipid nanocarriers. Early data could pave the way for new therapies back on Earth.
To tackle musculoskeletal challenges in space, astronauts collected foot pressure and joint movement data during running and resistance exercises under varied load conditions. By mapping exercise parameters to pressure patterns, the team is designing better in-flight workout protocols.
They also probed fine motor control in weightlessness—running sliding tests to capture how microgravity alters cognitive and motor coordination.
On the microgravity combustion front, the crew replaced gas experiment sampling covers, tweaked exhaust settings, and monitored combustion reactions, all part of efforts to master fire safety and fuel efficiency beyond our planet.
Between experiments, the team performed equipment checks, maintained the regenerative life support system, monitored station environments, managed cargo transfers, completed routine medical exams, and kept muscles and bones strong with daily exercise routines.
As Shenzhou-20 continues its mission, its blend of high-tech experiments and hands-on station operations propels both space exploration and everyday science forward. Stay tuned as these orbiting innovators unlock the secrets of life in microgravity.
Reference(s):
Space Log: Shenzhou-20 crew completes various tasks over past week
cgtn.com
