Overview of China's space life science and biotechnology achievements

1. Overview of space life Sciences and biotechnology

Space life science is a new interdisciplinary subject that comes into being and develops along with human space exploration activities, especially manned space exploration. It is an important branch of space science. Its main contents include: basic research on life phenomena and activity rules of earth organisms in special space environment; To carry out basic research on the utilization of space biotechnology and its translational application in the special space environment; Conducting applied research to support manned space exploration activities; To carry out interdisciplinary research on the exploration of extraterrestrial life and the origin of life in the universe, as well as special methods and related technologies to support space life science research. Space life science is an emerging discipline that arises and develops along with human space activities. It has the dual purposes of supporting the sustainable development of space and manned space flight, deepening the cognition of life phenomena, and supplementing and enriching the knowledge system. Its main scientific significance is as follows:

(1) To provide basic theoretical and technical support for the sustainable development of space and manned space flight

(2) Deepen the cognition of life phenomena, supplement and enrich the knowledge system

(3) To improve the quality of life and health of human beings on earth

(4) The strategic significance of cultivating talents, improving the quality of the whole people, realizing national rejuvenation, and enriching the country and the people

2. The development of space life science and biotechnology in China

On July 19, 1964, China's first biological test rocket "T-7A(S1)" was successfully launched, launching at an altitude of about 70 kilometers, achieving the first breakthrough in the history of space life science in China. "T-7A(S1)" biological capsule carried 2 fixed rats, 2 active rats, 4 mice and 12 biological sample test tubes. The rats and rats all returned to the ground healthy. On June 1 and June 5, 1965, the second and third T-7A(S1) biological test rockets were launched, and were again successful. In these two tests, 4 rats (2 fixed, 2 active), 10 mice and 10 biological test tubes were launched each. The result, repeated and validated the success of the first rocket. The ECG telemetry of the third "T-7A(S1)" rocket during the flight, there was a period of relatively large interference, and other times the record is good. At the recovery site, some experimental animals, including rats, were found dead. However, telemetry ECG signals during the flight confirmed that the death was not related to the flight itself, but was caused by delayed recovery and prolonged exposure to sunlight in the recovery module.

On July 15 and July 28, 1966, two more T-7A(S2) rockets were launched in succession, with a launch altitude of 68-70 km and a flight time of more than 20 minutes, further achieving the success of the biological rocket test of a more evolved mammal (dog). The "T-7A(S2)" rocket is a combination of the "T-7A" meteorological rocket vehicle and a special rod hammer Biological-type II arrow. In order to launch larger higher animals (dogs), the T-7A has made more important improvements than the T-7A(S1). The two launches of the biological module were carried by female puppies "Xiao Bao" and "Shan Shan", and the puppies returned to the ground healthy. In addition, four rats and 12 biological samples were carried each time.

In 1968, China established the Institute of Aerospace Medical Engineering, which began the systematic space human scientific research. In the 1970s, in the "Dawn" mission, the official start of space human science basic research aimed at space health issues, mainly studying the regulatory role of overweight on the cardiovascular nervous system.

In the 1960s, it was proposed to use plant photocooperation to close the loop of air renewal and food in the life maintenance system. The aquatic Marine experiment successfully realized an aquatic biological system in which 1 person lived for 1 day by chlorella oxygen in a closed system. In 1980's, the irreplaceable position of photosynthetic organisms in the biological regenerative life support system was determined, and in 1990's, 9 algae and 2 flagellates were co-cultured to obtain a good space culture.

In 1988, the COSIMA technology developed by INTOSPACE, a German company, was used to carry out space protein crystallization experiments on China's return satellite, and the first attempt was made to grow protein crystals under microgravity.

Since the 1980s, Chinese scientists have used recoverable satellites and Shenzhou spacecraft to carry plant seeds for 22 times, and have cultivated excellent new strains on wheat, rice, soybean, cotton, tomato, alfalfa and other crops, and obtained a large number of new crop germplasm and new materials with outstanding specificity.

In 1992, the space protein crystal growth device developed in China was successfully used, and the first test in space was successful, and the success rate of crystal growth was more than 50%. Two space protein crystallization experiments were conducted using recoverable satellites in 1992 and 1994. In 1995, Chinese scientists used the American space shuttle to carry out the liquid-liquid diffusion method of protein crystal growth experiment. Two crystallization experiments of more than 20 kinds of proteins were carried out on Shenzhou III and Shenzhou VIII spacecraft in 2002 and 2011. Experimental hardware and technology also from tracking imitation to development to independent development stage. The SZ-3 uses the self-developed dual-temperature dual-control protein crystallization device, while the SZ-8 uses the self-developed innovative passive immersion universal capillary crystallization chamber.