In science fiction, humans have explored beyond the stars and have been breeding in spacecraft. But science does not yet have sufficient data on whether humans can reproduce outside of Earth. Through the Tianzhou-10 mission launched on May 11, China has begun studying the impact of zero gravity on embryos.
China sent a man-made embryo structure to the Tiangong space station to conduct the first experiment of its kind. This artificial embryo is built from human stem cells and not a real embryo and cannot develop into an individual.
The experiment to be conducted studies the effects of microgravity on the early development of human embryos. This is hoped to help understand the risks of human reproduction in space, which is important for the Moon and Mars colonization plans.
Two types of embryo models have been sent to Tiangong, one seeded on uterine cells to simulate the implantation process and the second in a microfluidic chip to simulate the formation of the early cell layer. Each embryo was placed in a separate culture chamber and allowed to develop for 5 days before being frozen. Another twin sample was studied on Earth for comparison.
The developmental period studied is 14–21 days after fertilization, which is critical for the formation of human organs. Microgravity and cosmic radiation are known to damage reproductive cells and disrupt embryonic development.
The experiment aims to identify risk factors for long-term human reproduction in space. It will help provide a scientific basis for human life beyond Earth.
Three years ago, the Dutch firm Spaceborn United announced plans to conduct a variety of scientific tests to see if humans could reproduce in space through the ARTIS (Assisted Reproductive Technology In Space) mission. Initially, mammalian embryos will be sent, but so far there has been no progress on whether the mini will continue.
