The Shenzhou-19 mission is set to make history by sending fruit flies into space for the first time. According to Zhang Wei, a researcher from the Technology and Engineering Center for Space Utilization of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, this mission marks China's initial foray into studying fruit flies aboard the space station.
As part of a series of space life science experiments, scientists will create a low-magnetic environment in space to observe the growth, development, and behavior of the fruit flies under these unique conditions. Unlike Earth, which boasts a robust magnetic field, Mars has only a weak magnetic field, and the moon lacks one entirely.
By establishing a low-magnetic environment in space, researchers aim to understand how reduced magnetism and microgravity influence the behavior and growth of fruit flies. This study could provide valuable insights into the effects of space conditions on living organisms, potentially informing future long-duration space missions and our understanding of life beyond Earth.
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Shenzhou-19 mission to take fruit flies into space for the first time
cgtn.com