These experiments are heading to China's space station

Nine space science experiment projects, weighing more than 50 kilograms in total, are set to head to the China Space Station as the Shenzhou-23 mission prepares for launch on Sunday.

The payload includes crop seeds, biocatalytic materials, microbial samples, new solar energy materials, and other experimental items for use in orbit.

One of the mission's highlights is China's first dynamic, in-service test of perovskite solar cells aboard the space station. Researchers say the findings could support the development of lightweight, high-efficiency and low-cost flexible photovoltaic technologies for satellites, deep-space missions, and future lunar bases.

Scientists are also attempting to grow rice through two consecutive generations in space.

"Through this experiment, we hope to understand what effects space microgravity will have on the rice production process, which is required for the crew in long-term deep-space exploratory-class manned mission," Zheng Huiqiong, Professor at the Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), told CGTN.

Swipe to see what some of the experiment projects look like.