24/7 Space News
DRAGON SPACE
China's space station experiments pave way for new space technology
The Space Basic Experiment Cabinet facility in a detachable box is projected to complete the first high-throughput microbial resistance experiment in the world, in which the microbial growth will be actively controlled in microgravity before implementing PCR testing and subsequent quarantine and disinfection.
Reuters Events SMR and Advanced Reactor 2025
China's space station experiments pave way for new space technology
by Staff Writers
Beijing (XNA) Feb 16, 2023

Multiple engineering experiments are currently underway, or poised to begin, at a cabinet on China's space station which is in a near-Earth orbit. These experiments aim to acquire know-how that can support more experimental possibilities and human survival in outer space.

The Space Basic Experiment Cabinet mounted on the country's space lab module Mengtian is carrying its first group of five experiments on space technology, figuring out how to resist microbes that may eat away spacecraft metals, produce oxygen from algae in space, and convert heat energy into electricity.

Microbes and algae
One of the drawers installed onto the cabinet is the microbial resistance facility. Microbes tend to have significant corrosive influence on materials in a confined space module, which makes effective in-orbit management of them crucial for any long-term space presence.

The facility in a detachable box is projected to complete the first high-throughput microbial resistance experiment in the world, in which the microbial growth will be actively controlled in microgravity before implementing PCR testing and subsequent quarantine and disinfection.

The first microbe being tested is fungus Aspergillus niger, a type of mildew that may corrode the copper and aluminum alloy.

The box will be used as a key biological safety platform for scientific research and technical identification in the space station, according to the China Academy of Space Technology (CAST).

Aside from potential hazards, the biological chemistry in space can also be utilized to produce fundamental elements for human survival. An algae cultivation test in the cabinet is designed to examine how efficiently the water plant can generate oxygen and how to cook it on site.

Microalgae is a primary producer on Earth that makes the planet oxygen-rich and it is believed to be highly tolerant to zero-gravity and cosmic radiation. Also, some kinds of it are capable of synthesizing protein, fatty acid, and sugar-like nutrients to offer safe food supplements for astronauts.

In Mengtian, the algae will be cultivated in both solid and liquid culture and then the liquid-supported algae will be heated in a "microwave oven."

This is a significant attempt that may lay a foundation for extended space travel and long-term human habitation in the future, said the CAST.

Power and metals
A pilot engine called Stirling thermoelectric convertor has also been put on the experimental rack. The heat-to-electricity conversion tech involves two pistons in a cylinder moving at high frequency, which can convert thermal energy to electricity with relatively high efficiency and power density.

Chinese engineers are trying to verify the feasibility and stability of it in orbit, so as to provide clues for developing advanced power technology in space that can be used in future deep-space exploration.

Another experiment in the cabinet may tell material scientists how to utilize the liquid metal in space.

The alloyed metals like those gallium-based and bismuth-based ones can flow at normal temperature or slightly higher than that. They exhibit several desirable properties including good conductivity, high boiling points and good capacity for heat transmission.

Such an experiment on Mengtian will verify the liquid metal's performance in rapid melting, electromagnetic drive, sealing and inflation protection, which may help give birth to emerging and disruptive technologies, according to the CAST.

The last of the five experiments is set to evaluate the hazards of chippings produced by a device based on friction between electric brushes and slip rings. The device is used for power and signal transfer in solar array drive assembly and spacecraft altitude control gyroscope.

However, it's still unknown how those rubbing fragments floating in the capsule will affect space work - how those granules move or whether they will cluster in microgravity.

The test is designed to take pictures of their real motions to lay a foundation for an optimized device that can ensure long-duration operation of spacecraft, according to the CAST.

Source: Xinhua News Agency

Related Links
China Academy of Space Technology
The Chinese Space Program - News, Policy and Technology
China News from SinoDaily.com

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
DRAGON SPACE
China solicits logos for manned space missions in 2023
Beijing (XNA) Feb 16, 2023
The China Manned Space Agency began to solicit logos on Wednesday for the country's upcoming crewed space missions, marking the first open logo solicitation of its manned space program. The event aims to solicit logos for three missions of China's manned space program this year, including the launches of the cargo craft Tianzhou 6, and the crewed spaceships Shenzhou XVI and Shenzhou XVII, according to an announcement on the event released by the CMSA. Ever since China's historic Shenzhou V m ... read more

DRAGON SPACE
Biology and Robotics Research Occupy Crew

NASA, partners clear Axiom's second private astronaut mission crew

Machine learning techniques identify thousands of new cosmic objects

Former football player revamps NASA air filter invention

DRAGON SPACE
The roar and crackle of Artemis 1

Japan's new rocket fails to blast off

Japan's H3 rocket fails to leave the launch pad

SpaceX halts plans to convert oil rigs into floating offshore launch pads

DRAGON SPACE
Cloud gazing while we get ready to drill: Sols 3739-3741

Hope probe to move to a new Mars orbit and observe deimos

Complex subsurface of Mars imaged by Chinese rover Zhurong

Perseverance shows off collection of Mars samples

DRAGON SPACE
Two crews set for Tiangong station in '23

China's space station experiments pave way for new space technology

China solicits logos for manned space missions in 2023

Large number of launches planned

DRAGON SPACE
SpaceX launches 55 Starlink satellites early Sunday morning

How to Write a Discussion Post About Space Exploration

Women and girls in science: the team helping to take us to Mars

AccelerComm, TTP set to soar with 5G NTN LEO Space Cell

DRAGON SPACE
Astroscale wins Dstl funding for exploration of future Space-Based Space Domain Awareness missions

D-Orbit signs launch contract with Patriot Infovention

Sidius Space reaches an agreement with a Dutch organization to Deploy Lasercom Mission

High efficiency mid- and long-wave optical parametric oscillator pump source and its applications

DRAGON SPACE
Four classes of planetary systems

Team Aims To Find Earth 2.0

Does ice in the Universe contain the molecules making up the building blocks of life in planetary systems?

New models shed light on life's origin

DRAGON SPACE
New aurorae detected on Jupiter's four largest moons

JUICE's final take-off before lift-off

A new ring system discovered in our Solar System

SwRI models explain canyons on Pluto moon

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.