Launch of Tianzhou-8: Glimpse at experimental load carried by Tianzhou-8
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Now to China's fast developing space program, the recent Tianzhou-8 cargo ship is carrying a wide range of experimental instruments and equipment and is bound for China's Tiangong Space Station. Zheng Yibing takes a look on what's onboard.

Among the new supplies sent by the Tianzhou-8 cargo ship to China's Space Station, are some 480 kilograms of equipment set to be used for space experiments. Much of this payload is being sent in two batches.

WANG KE Deputy Chief Designer of Space Application Systems "The first batch comprises of space material science equipment, microgravity fluid and combustion science equipment. New technology testing supplies, scientific samples and spare parts have also been sent. The second batch includes supplies relate to seven life science projects. These projects include radiation resistance studies of bone cells and lung cells and will be conducted in-orbit."

Some experiments were started during previous missions.

LEI XIAOHUA Researcher, Chinese Academy of Sciences "The Tianzhou-6 mission differentiated hematopoietic stem cells from human pluripotent stem cells, setting a world record. The Tianzhou-8 mission will make the first ever attempt for the three-dimensional growth of human pluripotent stem cells. In the future, we may take stem cells to space, or even the moon, or Mars, where we can carry out the construction and reconstruction of cells with various functions."

ZHOU GUANGMING Researcher, Soochow University "Studying the risk of space radiation for tumor occurrence is very important for the health of our astronauts, especially for future travel to space. We hope to use such an environment in space to study the risk of lung cancer and find valuable results. Through this, in the future, we can better understand the mechanism of lung cancer on earth and develop some new protective measures or treatment methods."

Some experiments will be carried out for the first time, like the introduction of a "fruit fly" aboard the space station.

LI YAN Researcher, Chinese Academy of Sciences "By magnetic shielding in the experiment, we can reduce the magnetic field in the certain cultivation environment. And then, we will look at whether fruit flies can survive in the space environment with both microgravity and hypo magnetic fields, and whether they display specific or novel behaviors."

Chinese scientists hope that these space experiments will translate into new solutions and applications back on earth – all with an aim of helping mankind. Zheng Yibing, CGTN, at the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site.

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