Space-born butterfly reflects advances in orbital life-support systems

A butterfly that hatched inside a small closed-loop experimental payload in orbit was displayed on Monday at Chongqing University, highlighting advances in China's space life-support technology, Xinhua reported.

The butterfly was sent into space aboard the Kuaizhou-11 Y8 rocket. Images showed the insect emerge from its chrysalis and move freely inside the sealed cabin. It rested on leaves and fluttered its wings as it traversed most areas of the chamber, showing it adapted well to microgravity.

The team fixed oxidation and corrosion issues affecting magnesium alloy components in a high-humidity environment and built a payload that is both lightweight and durable, with a total mass of 8.3 kilograms, said Xie Gengxin, the payload's chief designer.

The experiment was operated in an unmanned, self-sustaining closed-loop system, in which plants produced oxygen and food for the butterfly, while microorganisms processed biological waste and helped maintain a stable gas composition inside the cabin.

"This is not simply another 'space insect,' but about further demonstrating the feasibility of running relatively complex life-support systems in orbit over extended periods," Xie said.

In recent years, China has reported a number of advances in space life sciences. On April 25, 2024, two male and two female zebrafish, along with hornwort aquatic plants, were carried aboard the Shenzhou-18 to the China space station, marking the first time zebrafish survived for 43 days in a closed aquatic ecosystem in orbit.

Last October, four laboratory mice were sent to the Chinese space station for China's first mammal experiment in space. After about two weeks in orbit, the mice returned to Earth, and two later gave birth to a litter.