BEIJING, 5th November, 2024 (WAM) -- The Shenzhou-18 spacecraft returned to Earth with 34.6 kilograms of experimental samples, including difficult-to-prepare microorganisms, alloy materials, and nanomaterials, the Science and Technology Daily reported on Monday.
An expert told the Global Times that final analyses would be conducted by specialised ground teams to validate the data and propose new theories or technologies.
The retrieved samples are poised to advance the development of space fiber lasers, facilitate the creation of extraterrestrial materials, and explore the prospects of Earth life spreading through the cosmos, the Xinhua News Agency reported.
The Shenzhou-18's return capsule, carrying three Chinese taikonauts, returned to Earth in the early morning on Monday, after completing a six-month space station mission.
The scientific experimental samples brought back by the spacecraft include a total of 55 types, spanning 28 science projects across areas such as space life sciences, space materials science, and microgravity combustion science.