The fifth batch of space science experiment samples from the China Space Station returned with the Shenzhou-16 manned spaceship and was delivered to scientists on Tuesday.

The reentry capsule of the Shenzhou-16 spaceship, with three Chinese astronauts aboard, landed at the Dongfeng Landing Site in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region on Tuesday morning.

This batch of samples includes 22 items from 19 experiments. The life-related samples include liver cells, proteins, nucleic acids, plants, seeds and microorganisms. Meanwhile, the non-life-related samples are all alloys of titanium, gadolinium, cobalt, iron, nickel and beryllium.

The total weight of the samples is about 25 kilograms.

The life-related samples have been handed over to scientists at the Technology and Engineering Center for Space Utilization, Chinese Academy of Sciences, who will sequence the samples and compare them with the corresponding ground samples to learn how the change in gravity affects lifeforms and develop space-based biotic technologies.

The biologists will also learn how radiation in space affects genetic system to build better protection equipment. The samples may also help biologists look for the origin of life.

Meanwhile, the alloys will be transferred to Beijing along with the reentry capsule, where they will be analyzed by scientists. They may help engineers develop important parts for China's nuclear power plants, high-voltage power transfer, chip packaging, rocket engines and aircraft landing gear.

(Cover via CMG.)