The Chinese space program continues to amaze with its ambitious plans. Along with the new crew of astronauts, an unusual cargo — 15 adult fruit flies and 40 pupae — arrived at the Tiangong space station. These insects, sent aboard the Tianzhou-8 mission, will help scientists better understand how life adapts to the conditions of space.
The main purpose of the experiment is to investigate how the conditions of microgravity and the reduced magnetic field affect biological processes. According to Zheng Weibo, a researcher from the Shanghai Institute of Technical Physics, the flies will help study: Molecular mechanisms of insects in reduced gravity and magnetic field environments. Biological rhythms of living organisms in space conditions. The Earth's magnetic field plays a critical role in protecting all living things from cosmic radiation. In deep space, where there is no magnetic field, organisms are exposed to dangerous rays and solar flares. Therefore, understanding how living things adapt to such conditions is key for future long-duration space missions.
Fruit flies, or Drosophila melanogaster, are often used in biomedical research due to several unique features: Resemblance to humans. Genetically, these insects have a lot in common with humans, and their genome has already been completely mapped. Fast life cycle. Just two weeks from a pupa to an adult allows you to observe several generations in a short time. Ease of care. They are unpretentious compared to mammals, such as laboratory mice.
The success of the fly experiment will be the basis for future research in space. In particular, it is planned to send mice for a deeper analysis of changes in the nervous system, bones, muscles, immunity and other important body systems. Studying the adaptation of living organisms to the conditions of space will help in preparation for long-term missions beyond the Earth. This is especially true for plans to colonize the Moon or Mars, where the lack of a magnetic field and low gravity will be constant challenges for future settlers.
The experiment with flies on Tiangong is an important step in studying the impact of space on living organisms, which allows us to look into the future of space travel and the survival of humanity beyond the borders of Earth.
