Space station providing unique environment for research firsts

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By Yan Dongjie (China Daily) 09:45, March 27, 2025

Researchers examine space station experiment samples brought back by the Shenzhou XVIII spacecraft at the Technology and Engineering Center for Space Utilization under the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing on Nov 4. (Technology and Engineering Center for Space Utilization/Xinhua)

With microgravity and cosmic radiation, the unique environment in space poses risks to human health and also vast opportunities for medical and scientific research breakthroughs, experts said.

This issue was highlighted recently when two NASA astronauts stranded aboard the International Space Station for nine months appeared haggard and thin upon their return to Earth.

Human activities such as movement and sleep are affected by such a lengthy period in space. The potential health issues astronauts face are ongoing challenges for long-term manned space missions that are being addressed by Chinese experts.

Researchers examine space station experiment samples brought back by the Shenzhou XVIII spacecraft at the Technology and Engineering Center for Space Utilization under the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing on Nov 4. (Technology and Engineering Center for Space Utilization/Xinhua)

"Muscle atrophy is one of the significant physiological changes in a microgravity environment," said Li Yuying, an associate researcher at the Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

Li said that understanding the mechanisms behind these changes and finding solutions to mitigate them can eventually contribute to medical fields affected by similar conditions on Earth.

China established its own space station system after the launch of the Tianhe core module in April 2021, followed by the Wentian and Mengtian laboratory modules in 2022, with multiple manned and cargo missions.

In November 2022, Li's research team sent mouse muscle cell samples to Tiangong, China's operational space station, via the Tianzhou 5 cargo spacecraft.

Researchers examine space station experiment samples brought back by the Shenzhou XVIII spacecraft at the Technology and Engineering Center for Space Utilization under the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing on Nov 4. (Technology and Engineering Center for Space Utilization/Xinhua)

In the Wentian module's biotechnology experiment cabinet, they successfully cultured and differentiated muscle cells, discovering phenomena such as cell fusion and muscle fiber formation in microgravity for the first time. The team also identified the gene responsible for autophagy, the body's cell recycling system, under these conditions.

"We were the first to use a skeletal muscle cell autophagy fluorescence reporting system to analyze the effects of space microgravity on muscle cell autophagy. This led to discovering the mechanisms and potential molecular targets related to muscle atrophy in space," Li explained.

This research holds the prospect of improving astronaut health by regulating autophagy through specific drugs, dietary adjustments, or exercise.

"The findings could also be applied to patients with sarcopenia (loss of muscle mass) and those bedridden for extended periods on Earth, providing new solutions to combat muscle atrophy," she added.

Shenzhou XIX astronaut Wang Haoze works inside the station. (Photo/Xinhua)

Research platform

The unique conditions on the space station are invaluable for addressing important scientific and practical problems across various disciplines, said Gu Yidong, chief scientist at the China Manned Space Agency.

The Chinese space station will conduct over 1,000 research projects over the next 10 to 15 years, the Technology and Engineering Center for Space Utilization under the Chinese Academy of Sciences announced in January.

These efforts will include deepening research into basic biology, biotechnology and transformation, life ecology, and the origin of life, the center said.

This screen image on Mar 21 shows Shenzhou XIX astronauts Cai Xuzhe (right) and Song Lingdong preparing for extravehicular activities inside the airlock cabin of China's space station. (Photo/Xinhua)

Gu said the space station also offers a platform for breakthrough experiments in new space technologies.

"Nearly 100 academicians from the CAS and thousands of experts collaborated to plan the station's research projects, covering fields such as space life sciences, human studies, microgravity physical sciences, space astronomy and new space technologies," Gu stated.