Scientific experiments of China's Shenzhou-19 mission in smooth progress

China

Scientific experiments of China's Shenzhou-19 mission in smooth progress

2024-12-17 13:53 Last Updated At：18:57

China's Shenzhou-19 crew have been conducting multiple scientific research and technological tests simultaneously, which are all in smooth progress, since they were sent to the Tiangong space station on Oct 30.

The crew members, Cai Xuzhe, Song Lingdong and Wang Haoze, are tasked to conduct 86 experiments covering such fields as space life science, basic microgravity physics, space material science, aerospace medicine, and new aerospace technologies during their six-month mission.

An intriguing one is a fruit fly research aimed at studying the growth, development, and behavior of the flies in a low-magnetic environment. It is now smoothly underway.

The fruit flies were delivered to the space station by Tianzhou-8 cargo craft in mid-November. It is the first time that China has taken the small insects into space.

Unlike Earth, which has a magnetic field, Mars has only a weak magnetic field, and the moon has none. By establishing a low-magnetic environment in space, researchers aim to explore how reduced magnetism and microgravity affect the behavior and growth of fruit flies.

With a body length of just three to four millimeters, a short life cycle, rapid reproduction, and a large number of offspring, fruit flies are ideal "model organisms" for genetic experiments. Their genetic similarities to humans make them valuable in studying human genetic diseases and provide insights into human adaptation to space environments.

Cytological research is also underway. The astronauts have completed collecting and storing samples, laying a solid foundation for future application of 3D printed tissues using stem cells in space environment and space drug screening.

The trio have completed the installation, replacement and maintenance of some experiment equipment including the biotechnology experiment cabinet, the high temperature materials experiment cabinet, and the fluid physics experiment cabinet, making them ready for experiments.

The crew have also replaced the burner of the combustion experiment cabinet, vacuumed the cabinet, and replaced samples in the fluid physics experiment cabinet.

China to increase issuance size of ultra-long special treasury bonds in 2025

2024-12-17 17:21 Last Updated At：17:37

China intends to issue more ultra-long special treasury bonds in 2025, aiming to promote equipment renewal, encourage trade-in programs, and support major national strategies and projects, according to the Office of the Central Committee for Financial and Economic Affairs.

As of Dec. 12, driven by treasury bonds issued to promote large-scale equipment renewal and the trading-in of consumer goods, over 5.2 million new vehicles have been sold, generating more than 690 billion yuan (about 95 billion U.S. dollars) in sales revenue. Besides, over 49 million home appliances were sold through these programs, totaling more than 210 billion yuan (about 29 billion U.S. dollars), and more than 2 million old equipment sets were replaced.

These treasury bonds have also supported the development of more than 1,400 major projects, including the new land-sea corridor in western China, high-standard farmland in northeastern China, and the shelterbelt program in northern China.

Based on the progress made in 2024, China plans to issue more ultra-long special treasury bonds in the coming year, with a significant increase in bonds supporting equipment upgrades and consumption through trade-ins, the committee said.

Meanwhile, more products and sectors with high market demand and strong potential will be considered for inclusion in the scope of policy support.

In addition, the funds raised from treasury bonds will be carefully allocated to support key national strategic areas and projects, while improving the mechanisms and efficiency of their use.