China outlines objectives for Shenzhou XVIII space mission
by Simon Mansfield
Sydney, Australia (SPX) Apr 25, 2024
China's Shenzhou-18 mission, set for a six-month duration at the national space station, will include a series of in-orbit scientific tests and applications, alongside multiple spacewalks, as detailed by a senior China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) official during a recent press briefing.

The Shenzhou XVIII spacecraft is poised for launch at 8:59 pm Thursday (Beijing Time) from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Northwest China.

"The crew will engage in over 90 experiments using the station's scientific experiment cabinets and extravehicular payloads. These experiments will explore various scientific domains including microgravity physics, space material science, space life science, space medicine, and space technology," stated Lin Xiqiang, deputy director of the CMSA.

This mission will also feature the first aquatic ecological research project in orbit. The initiative will utilize zebrafish and algae to create a self-sustaining aquatic ecosystem, aiming to advance the cultivation of vertebrates in space.

Furthermore, a pioneering stem cell study involving plant stem tips will be conducted in orbit to examine plant evolutionary adaptations to gravity, potentially enhancing agricultural practices in space environments, Lin explained.

The crew is scheduled to perform two to three extravehicular activities (EVAs), and manage six cargo transfers through the station's cargo airlock module. These EVAs will include the installation of protective measures against space debris on external equipment, and routine maintenance checks to ensure the station's operational safety.

Based on a Xinhua News Agency article

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