We've seen multiple animals being sent to space. These animals have been studied and examined but we haven't seen a monkey conceiving in space. Well there is a first time for everything, right? China plans to send monkeys to its Tiangong space station to test out if and how the mammal reproduces.
China deployed the Tiangong space station on the 29th of April 2021. Since then the space station has been going through adjustments and preparations. The Wentian module is a part of the Tiangong space station It was launched on the 24th of July 2022. Wentian is the first Laboratory Cabin Module launched, and the first module to expand the existing Tianhe core module of the station.
The experiment on the mammals reproducing will take place in the Wentian module. Although there is no certainty that this experiment will work, scientists are hoping to get some sort of results from it.
The module is expandable, right now it only has space for fish and algae but will expand and reconfigure when required. CNSA has also said that they will be carrying out studies done with mice and marquees to see how they grow and reproduce in space. Although no human or mammal has conceived in space, back in 2007 a cockroach conceived in space inside a sealed container.
Scientists believe that if the monkeys can conceive in space it will open a number of opportunities regarding life in Space for humans. Although this is a new approach in the world of science, many are unsure if this is something which is achievable or not. Scientists who have worked with monkeys have raised questions saying that keeping monkeys confined in a place for that long will bring out negative reactions from them. During the experiment, scientists will also have to keep the monkeys happy and clean up after their faeces. Which in itself is a huge task.
More than 1,000 experiments are the goal set by the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) to be conducted, the experiments are ranging from technical spears to medical science. The agency is also receiving applications from other countries and currently has about 9 international space experiments that are to be launched 388.9 kilometres above the Earth, to the Tiangong Space Station.
By the looks of it, China is locked and loaded for a new era of Science and Astronautics.
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