Shenzhou-20 crew completes over 10 experiments, tests in past week

The Shenzhou-20 crew aboard China's space station conducted over 10 scientific experiments and tests last week, according to the China Manned Space Agency. Since entering the space station on April 25, the three astronauts have completed a series of tasks in orbit.

During the past week, they successfully carried out the collection and processing of blood samples, a crucial step towards understanding changes in astronauts' skeletal and nervous systems during long-duration space missions. Utilizing fine motor measurement devices, the crew undertook memory slide tests, with results expected to provide valuable insights into changes in fine motor control and adaptive learning mechanisms.

Moreover, a study on the kinematic characteristics of astronauts in orbit was conducted. This research, focusing on observing astronauts' movements and operations within the space station, aims to offer valuable data to support ergonomic design and assessment, as well as the optimization of on-orbit task planning.

The crew also completed the collection and preservation of samples from a small aquatic ecosystem experiment unit. These samples will be significant in elucidating the regulatory role of protein homeostasis on bone loss and cardiovascular dysfunction induced by weightlessness.

Additionally, the crew replaced the sampling cover of the experimental plugin in the combustion experiment cabinet and performed maintenance on the containerless experiment cabinet, including cleaning the experimental chamber, replacing samples and ensuring the proper functioning of its axis mechanism.

They also replaced liquid bags in the fluids physics experiment cabinet to study the thermocapillary migration of droplets under microgravity conditions. Furthermore, examination of the space radiation biology exposure device was completed inside the cabin.