China launches world’s first experiment with human artificial embryos in space

The samples were delivered by the Tianzhou-10 cargo spacecraft and installed inside the station’s experimental module by Chinese taikonauts. Scientists say the mission is progressing successfully.

“The experiment is going very well. A preset automated system changes the culture medium for the samples every day,” said project leader Yu Leqian.

According to researchers, the study aims to explore issues related to long-term human presence, survival and reproduction in space.

The project uses artificial embryo models created from human stem cells. Scientists emphasized that these are not real human embryos and cannot develop into a human being, but can be used to study the early stages of human development.

Researchers are studying how microgravity affects embryonic development in space, while identical samples are simultaneously being examined in laboratories on Earth.

The mission is expected to last five days. Afterward, the samples will be frozen in orbit and later returned to Earth for comparative analysis.

In addition to the artificial embryo study, Tianzhou-10 carried 41 scientific research projects to the Chinese space station, including experiments involving zebrafish and mouse embryos.

Earlier, it was reported that China launched 18 new satellites as part of its commercial low-Earth orbit Spacesail Constellation project.