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China advances space medicine to support manned missions

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China advances space medicine to support manned missions

2024-12-30 17:30 Last Updated At:12-31 00:37

China's constant progress in space medicine has facilitated its four manned missions in the past two years since the Tiangong space station was built, according to a report released on Monday.

The report on the progress in scientific research and applications of Chinese space station was released by the China Manned Space Engineering Office (CMSEO) to celebrate the second anniversary of the comprehensive completion of the Chinese space station.

In the past two years, a total of 68 projects have been implemented in orbit in the fields of space life sciences and human research, mainly focusing on basic space biology, space biotechnology and applications, space life ecology, the origin and intersection of space life, the impact of space environment on human physiology, traditional medicine and new health testing techniques, human factors in space flight, and space brain science, according to the report.

"Our space medicine experiments mainly focus on the impact of space flight, such as microgravity and radiation, on human health, including the behavioral capacity of astronauts in space, and the relevant protection. We have also carried out some systematic and large-scale studies on advanced medical monitoring and support technologies and the space application of traditional medicine, with some theoretical and technological breakthroughs made. No matter in theoretical level or that of technological support, space medicine is indeed maturing and improving constantly with the development of flight missions," said Liu Zhaoxia, a fellow with the China Astronaut Research and Training Center.

To protect astronauts from bone loss and muscle atrophy in space, Chinese researchers have developed a device countering bone loss and some other kinds of medical equipment, which can also serve public health.

"The device not only functions to prevent astronauts from bone loss in microgravity, but also helps with treatment of disuse bone loss for elderly and long-term bedridden patients on the ground, so it could be promoted to clinical application. We have also developed acupoint stimulation devices such as acupoint stimulation clothing and portable acupoint stimulation devices, which can function to a certain extent prevent cardiovascular diseases, muscle atrophy and bone loss. It can also be applied to clinical treatment," Liu said.

In 2024, the Shenzhou-18 crew, who were sent to the space station on April 25 and returned to Earth on Nov 4, stayed in orbit for a record 192 days.

In the future, astronauts will stay and work longer in orbit in more complicated space environments, which requires more advances in space medicine, Liu noted.

"It's an inevitable trend that the manned space missions will operate longer flights and go farther into space, so we will surely aim at longer flights into farther and deeper space in our further development. To support such endeavors, our relevant space medicine guarantee must constantly go deeper to cope with new problems cropping up in manned missions," she said.

China advances space medicine to support manned missions

China advances space medicine to support manned missions

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Various PLA services start annual training for 2025

2025-01-02 22:20 Last Updated At:22:37

The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) started the annual training for 2025, focusing on high-intensity drills across multiple arms to enhance comprehensive real combat capabilities.

At a training base on the plateau with an altitude of over 2,800 meters, a brigade of the 76th Group Army conducted a full-staff, full-equipment deployment exercise based on actual combat scenarios.

The soldiers completed tasks such as equipment deployment, formation adjustment, and railway loading within a specified time, improving their emergency deployment capabilities in the harsh high-altitude, low-oxygen environment.

As the new year begins, naval forces have sailed to the deep seas for real combat-oriented training.

A submarine detachment of the Southern Theater Command Navy conducted underwater attack and defense drills, testing and enhancing the single-submarine combat capabilities and coordinated operational abilities under complex conditions.

"At the beginning of the New Year, we have commenced high-intensity military training. We practice coordination ability, combat skills and combat style to ensure we can project forces and win battles at any time," said Wang Cunnian, a naval officer.

Meanwhile, the Air Force's aviation troops, ground-to-air missile forces, and radar troops have carried out joint training on multiple aircraft types in realistic battlefield environments, honing their combat capabilities.

At an airbase of the Eastern Theater Command Air Force, several J-16 fighter jets took off in combat formation, with pilots sharpening their air combat, close air support, and ground assault skills.

The Rocket Force has also launched a series of drills based on established programs, creating complex confrontation environments to enhance strategic deterrence and real combat abilities, from deserts to deep mountains, from snowy plateaus to waters in the South China Sea.

The People's Armed Police Force has also kicked off a wave of realistic exercises across multiple domains and specialties.

At the Falcon Commandos training base, special operation members are conducting exercises on "ground anti-hijacking" and "train anti-hostage" scenarios, comprehensively testing their emergency response and decisive action capabilities.

"In the new year, Falcon commandos will bear in mind President Xi's instructions, adhere to principles of real combat-oriented training, special training for special operation, deepen research on counter-terrorism tasks, and highlight research and training on topics such as precise command and control, three-dimensional delivery, tactical depth raids, and integrated reconnaissance and strike. We will improve all-time, all-domain, and all-weather combat capabilities, and strive to build a world-class counter-terrorism special unit," said Major Yang Zhen, member of the Falcon Commandos.

Various PLA services start annual training for 2025

Various PLA services start annual training for 2025

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