The mirror platform of the Tiangong space station's scientific experiment has entered the stage of official operation, providing critical support for research conducted in space.
Situated at the Technology and Engineering Center for Space Utilization (CSU) under the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), the mirror platform exactly replicates the equipment loaded on the space station. The platform, equipped with 14 scientific experiment cabinets and corresponding supporting equipment, operates parallel to that on the Tiangong space station.
As a critical infrastructure for the national space laboratory, the mirror platform serves three primary purposes. Firstly, it is to conduct final testing before scientific payloads are installed on spacecraft, and astronauts' operational training for scientific experiments. Secondly, it is to simulate in advance scientific experiments scheduled for the space station. Thirdly, it is to conduct space-to-ground comparison experiments, which is to explore how the microgravity environment influences experiment results, said Zhong Hong'en, a research fellow at CSU.
"The space-to-ground comparison experiment is to synchronize the experiment conducted in space exactly on the ground, the two are carried out in the exactly same conditions, only the microgravity environment varies, so that we can make comparisons to figure out the differences in experiment results. Just to focus on the impact of the two different gravity factors on the experiments," said Zhong.
Mirror platform of Chinese space station's scientific experiment goes into operation
A delegation of 40 students and teachers from seven Chinese mainland universities on Thursday wrapped up their nine-day visit to Taiwan. They set off for Taiwan on Nov. 27 and visited universities, historical sites, scenic spots, as well as sports, sci-tech and cultural venues on the island, widely engaging with locals throughout the tour.
The delegation made the tour at the invitation of the Taiwan-based Ma Ying-jeou Culture and Education Foundation.
"The young people from both sides of the Strait share the same root, and we are having a harmonious communication this time. We also welcome young people from Taiwan to visit the mainland for exchange," Cao Yibo, a student from Peking University, told reporters during the tour.
The delegation included table tennis Olympic champion Ma Long who studies at Beijing Sport University, and air rifle Olympic champion Yang Qian of Tsinghua University.
"In the future, I would like to visit Taiwan again. I did not expect that so many compatriots in Taiwan would come to welcome and us and pay so much attention to our exchange tour," Ma said.
Hsiao Hsu-tsen, executive director of the Ma Ying-jeou Culture and Education Foundation, saw off the delegation at the airport on Thursday, and said the mainland students and teachers had received Taiwan residents' heartfelt welcome wherever they went.
"The farewell dinner party was held yesterday evening, when almost all students from the mainland shared their feelings. What moved me so much is that every one of them thanked people here, because the latter sincerely and warmly welcomed them wherever they went during the nine-day tour. They told me that when they go back, they will tell their relatives and friends that people in Taiwan are kind, hospitable and warm. I believe that is the most important purpose of the exchange across the Strait," he said.
Calling youth exchanges a foundation of cross-Strait relations in the future, Hsiao said the foundation will carry on and continue to promote such exchanges across the Strait.
This is the second delegation of mainland teachers and students visiting Taiwan at the invitation of the Ma Ying-jeou Foundation, following the visit by a first delegation in July last year.
Delegation of mainland university students, teachers wraps up Taiwan visit
