China's Shenzhou-23 astronauts have spent nearly 50 days aboard the Tiangong Space Station in orbit, where they conduct a rapidly expanding range of scientific experiments while maintaining the orbital complex, marking yet another milestone in the nation's manned spaceflight program.
Over the past week, the crew conducted tests, biomechanics research and brain function studies on the effects of microgravity on human health and performance, according to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA).
The in-orbit biomechanics data will enable ground researchers to map muscle-tendon interactions under microgravity, while the brain-function studies will shed light on how prolonged spaceflight alters human cognitive control and neural performance.
The Shenzhou-23 crew also maintained and upgraded equipment for combustion and fluid physics experiments and installed new research modules.
Besides, the three astronauts conducted routine inspections and maintenance of various devices in the space station, and performed tests on the upgraded body mass measurement device, which made its debut aboard the space station.
Despite their packed schedule, the astronauts continued their daily in-orbit exercise regimen to counteract the physiological effects of microgravity.
China successfully launched the Shenzhou-23 crewed spacecraft on May 24, sending the three astronauts into orbit.
The crew members are mission commander Zhu Yangzhu, Zhang Zhiyuan, and Lai Ka-ying, who made history as the first astronaut from China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region to travel to space.
According to the CMSA, the astronauts are set to carry out a one-year in-orbit stay experiment. During the extended mission, the crew will fulfill more than 100 new science and application projects, focusing on frontier fields such as space life science, materials science, microgravity fluid physics, aerospace medicine and new space technologies.
China's Shenzhou-23 crew conduct life sciences, physics experiments in orbit
