On May 11, the Tianzhou 10 cargo spacecraft successfully launched, carrying human embryo models into space. This marks the world's first in situ experiment exploring how microgravity and cosmic radiation affect early human development.
The models were created in a laboratory using stem cells. They mimic the structure of a natural early human embryo but cannot develop into a human being. They cover the developmental stage from day 14 to 21 after fertilization, a critical window when the building blocks for future organs form.
Yu Leqian, a professor at the Chinese Academy of Sciences' Institute of Zoology and head of the project, said the goal is to explore how life reacts to the sudden absence of gravity. The models will complete five days of development in orbit before being frozen for return to Earth.
The study will compare space and ground development to assess how well the models substitute for natural embryos. It also aims to reveal reproductive risks during long-term space habitation. Two types of models focus on peri-implantation and peri-gastrulation stages.
