China's space station to drive over 1000 research projects

As a hub for national space research, the station aims to facilitate comprehensive interdisciplinary studies, yielding major scientific and technological advancements that accelerate practical applications. Ba Jin, deputy director of the center's application and development division, emphasized the station's role in fostering these achievements during a briefing on Monday.

The space station's initiatives in space life science and human research will focus on foundational biology, biotechnology transformation, life ecology, and exploring the origins of life. These efforts aim to deepen understanding of how space environments influence biological mechanisms and responses.

In the realm of microgravity physical science, studies will target the microstructure and properties of metals and alloys to enhance material preparation techniques on Earth. Additionally, researchers aim to address challenges in low-carbon combustion and power-system efficiency, supporting advanced energy solutions. Work will also include developing novel atomic cooling techniques and creating a cutting-edge plasma physics experimental platform.

The Chinese Space Station Telescope, currently under construction, is anticipated to yield valuable insights into critical cosmological questions, including the nature of dark energy and dark matter. Complementary instruments, such as the High-Energy Cosmic Radiation Detection (HERD) system and the Gamma-ray Polarimeter II (POLAR-2), are poised to advance research on dark matter, cosmic-ray origins, and extreme astrophysical phenomena.

In the field of innovative space technologies and applications, the focus will align with national priorities, including near-Earth operations, Earth-Moon exploration, and future deep-space missions. Key areas of research include space information systems, precision measurement technologies, robotics, in-orbit manufacturing, and autonomous systems.

Ba highlighted that the space station has already facilitated over 180 scientific projects, delivering nearly two tonnes of materials to orbit and retrieving close to 100 experimental samples. These efforts have resulted in the publication of more than 500 high-level SCI papers and the granting of over 150 patents. Several findings have been successfully applied to advance China's space science and technology sectors.

Research in space life sciences has achieved milestones such as developing new rice germplasm resources and differentiating human embryonic stem cells into hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells in orbit. The station also holds the record for the longest operational space aquatic ecosystem. These studies provide critical insights into combating bone loss, muscle atrophy, and metabolic diseases.

In material science, research has explored the microstructure and properties of metals and semiconductors, paving the way for high-performance functional materials. Microgravity studies are expected to offer technical solutions for lunar and Mars missions and drive progress in clean energy and conservation efforts.

Additionally, the station has tested domestically developed high-performance electronic components and sensors in orbit, further enhancing the reliability and capability of Chinese aerospace technology, Ba noted.