Latest news with #ChinaMannedSpaceAgency
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Scientists discover previously unknown microbe on China's Tiangong space station
Chinese scientists have discovered a new bacterial strain aboard the Tiangong space station, the first of its kind found in China's orbital lab. The strain, named Niallia tiangongensis, is a new variant of a known Earth bacteria and was discovered on a cabin inside the space station. Researchers from the Shenzhou Space Biotechnology Group and the Beijing Institute of Spacecraft System Engineering announced the discovery of the new bacterial strain in the International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology. The study emphasized that understanding the characteristics of microbes during long-term space missions is essential for protecting astronaut health and maintaining the reliability of spacecraft systems, the South China Morning Post reported. The researchers found that the new strain has unique mechanisms for adapting to the extreme space environment, with potential real-world applications. It showed an enhanced ability to combat oxidative stress—an imbalance that damages cells and tissues—and to repair radiation-induced damage. Understanding how the strain survives in space could help scientists develop targeted strategies to control microbes, with potential applications in space technology, agriculture, and medicine. The China Manned Space Agency noted that Tiangong's research would yield a "bumper harvest" of findings on microbial activity, genetics, and metabolism—insights that could translate into innovative uses on Earth. In a social media post, the agency said the discovery was part of the China Space Station Habitation Area Microbiome Programme (Champ), which monitors microbial changes during extended missions. The microbe was collected in May 2023, while the Shenzhou-15 crew was aboard the station. The Shenzhou-15 crew spent six months on the space station, collecting microorganisms from the surfaces of the station's modules using sterile wipes. These samples were frozen and brought back to Earth. Scientists then analyzed them using genome sequencing and metabolic analysis, leading to the discovery of the new strain. As Chinese media reports, the discovery offers two key insights. First, understanding how the microbe survives in space could lead to precise microbial control strategies, aiding the design of interventions in the fields of spacecraft, agriculture, industry, and medicine. Second, the microbe's ability to break down specific organic compounds points to new, sustainable ways of converting waste into valuable resources, both in space and on Earth. Microorganisms survive in space stations by adapting to complex conditions such as microgravity, radiation, and confinement, an analysis of which could further our understanding of life in space. Despite these harsh environments, they are known for their strength, resilience, and ability to thrive. Ongoing missions aboard Tiangong are expected to produce a wealth of new genetic and metabolic discoveries. These findings from the space station's unique environment could deepen our understanding of microbial life and potentially lead to innovative applications and environmental sustainability.
Express Tribune
11-05-2025
- Science
- Express Tribune
Astronaut mission – Pakistan set sights on stars
In a milestone that marks a new chapter in Pakistan's scientific evolution, the nation is preparing to send its very first astronaut into space – an achievement once seemed a distant dream, now transforming into a tangible reality. With the ink freshly dried on a landmark cooperation agreement between Pakistan's national space agency Suparco and the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA), the countdown has begun for a historic journey to Chinese Space Station (CSS), Tiangong. Under this agreement, two Pakistani astronauts will undergo rigorous training at Astronaut Centre of China. One of them will ultimately be chosen as a scientific payload specialist, entrusted with conducting advanced research aboard the CSS. The selection process, slated for completion by 2026, will culminate in the astronaut joining one of China's upcoming missions. The significance of this venture extends far beyond the symbolic achievement of a Pakistani in space. The astronaut's mission aboard the CSS will include cutting-edge scientific experiments in biology, fluid mechanics, medical science, material studies, space radiation and more fields with far-reaching implications for life on Earth. The Chinese station is equipped with state-of-the-art research modules that offer a unique microgravity environment, allowing scientists to conduct studies impossible to replicate on Earth. "This agreement is a landmark in Pakistan's space journey," said Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) Chairman Mohammad Yousuf Khan. "It reflects our perseverance, adaptability, and technological strides we have made in recent years."
The Star
04-05-2025
- Science
- The Star
China's Shenzhou-19 astronauts return home after forced landing site switch
China's three-person Shenzhou-19 crew successfully landed at a new site in the Inner Mongolia region on Wednesday, after poor weather delayed their return from the Tiangong space station. The crew's commander Cai Xuzhe and astronauts Song Lingdong and Wang Haoze – the country's third female astronaut and the only female space flight engineer – were originally supposed to make their return one day earlier. The China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) said on Wednesday that the return of the Shenzhou-19 crew – including the youngest Chinese astronaut so far – was delayed by strong winds at the original landing site. Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge, our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team. The agency added that the landing would be moved to the eastern section of the Dongfeng landing site where the meteorological conditions met requirements. It marked the first time a crew would land in this area, it said. 'Faced with new situations and new challenges, the entire project team worked closely together, linked up with the ground and the sky, and quickly formulated response measures to ensure the success of the mission,' the CMSA said in a social media post. The Shenzhou-19 crew began their six-month mission at the space station on October 29, completing tasks like compiling and sending remaining experimental data before returning to Earth, according to the CMSA. Ahead of their departure, the astronauts handed over the reins to the Shenzhou-20 crew, who arrived at the space station on April 24. At a press conference the day before the Shenzhou-20 launch, CMSA deputy director Lin Xiqiang said that the Shenzhou-19 crew took part in 88 research projects – in the fields of microgravity, life sciences, aerospace medicine, and materials science – while on board. This included the world's first in-orbit demonstration of artificial photosynthesis technology, which produced oxygen and ingredients necessary to make rocket fuel. Cai, the crew's commander, performed five activities outside the Tiangong, making him the Chinese astronaut with the most extravehicular activities. Cai and Song also set a new world record for the longest spacewalk, at nine hours and six minutes, Lin said. The new crew is expected to continue the work of the Shenzhou-19 astronauts, including running science experiments and performing extravehicular activities. They will also begin new experiments, including studying space tissue regeneration. More from South China Morning Post: For the latest news from the South China Morning Post download our mobile app. Copyright 2025.
The Print
30-04-2025
- Science
- The Print
3 Chinese astronauts return home safely after 6-month stay in space station
The three were taken out of the capsule one by one by the crew on the ground. The return capsule of the Shenzhou-19 crewed spaceship, carrying astronauts Cai Xuzhe, Song Lingdong, and Wang Haoze — China's third female astronaut and a space flight engineer, touched down at the Dongfeng landing site in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. Beijing, Apr 30 (PTI) Three Chinese astronauts, including a woman, who spent six months in China's space station returned to Earth safely on Wednesday. They landed at a new site in the Inner Mongolia region, after poor weather had delayed their return from the Tiangong space station. On-site medical staff confirmed that the astronauts were in good condition, the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) said. Earlier, the Beijing Aerospace Control Centre issued a return command through the ground station, after which the orbital capsule of the Shenzhou-19 spaceship separated from the return capsule. It touched down at the Dongfeng landing site in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, the CMSA said. The three astronauts stayed in orbit for 183 days, during which they carried out three spacewalks, breaking the previous world record for the longest single spacewalk set by the Shenzhou-18 crew members. The crew set the record during its first extravehicular activity on December 17, 2024, which lasted for nine hours, according to CMSA. The crew also carried out a wide range of space science experiments across various fields, including fundamental physics in microgravity, space materials science, space life sciences, aerospace medicine, and space technology, the CMSA said. The three astronauts were launched to the Tiangong space station in October, and they turned over control of the station on Tuesday to the new crew that recently arrived to replace them. China built its space station after it was reportedly excluded from the International Space Station (ISS) over concerns that Beijing's space programme is manned by its military, the People's Liberation Army (PLA). China is currently the only country to have a space station, while the ISS is a collaborative project of several nations. PTI KJV SCY SCY This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
Barnama
30-04-2025
- Science
- Barnama
All Shenzhou-19 Astronauts Out Of Return Capsule In Good Health
JIUQUAN (China), April 30 (Bernama-Xinhua) -- The three astronauts of the Shenzhou-19 crewed mission were all out of the return capsule on Wednesday afternoon, and the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) declared the mission a success, Xinhua reported. At 12:17 p.m. (Beijing Time), the Beijing Aerospace Control Centre issued a return command through the ground station, and the orbital capsule of the Shenzhou-19 spaceship separated from the return capsule. Then the brake engine ignited, and the return capsule separated from the propulsion capsule. The return capsule touched down at 1:08 p.m. at the Dongfeng landing site in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, the CMSA said.
