A seed container that Chang'e 4 carried to the moon, Jan.3, 2019.

By Keqiao Cheng, EDITOR
Chongqing - With the bio-science project led by Chongqing University, Chang’e 4 landers carried the biological science payload to the far side of the moon. In the meantime, the test done has also given birth to the first bud on the moon. But how did it grow?

The Information Office of Chongqing Municipal People’s Government held a news conference on January 15. It then unveiled how the first bud grew on the lunar surface.

First bud on the moon

The first day after the experiment began, Jan.3, 2019

Chang’e 4 launched from Xichang Satellite Launch Center on December 8, 2018. Therefore, this payload has also achieved the first biological experiment of human beings on the moon. January 11 witnessed the complete success of Chang’e 4 lander and Yutu 2 (Jade Rabbit 2) rover. Both of them have taken pictures of each other. The project team has studied the growth and development of animals and plants under the conditions of low gravity, strong radiation and natural light on the moon. So this research has also provided foundation and experience for the future establishment of the lunar base.

The payload carries potato, mouse-ear cress, rapeseeds, cotton, fruit fly, and yeast, with a total weight of 2.6 kg. Furthermore, it also contains 18 milliliters of water, soil, air and the thermal control system. There are also two cameras for recording the growth of the living creatures. The total weight reaches 2.608 kg, and the growing space is about one liter. The six creatures, therefore, form a micro-ecological system composed of producers, consumers and decomposers.

The 4th day of the experiment, Jan.7, 2019

All creatures “consume” the food and oxygen produced by the plants. And then the fruit fly as the consumer and yeast as the decomposer produce carbon dioxide through oxygen consumption. In this way, the plants use photosynthesis to create energy. Moreover, the yeast can grow by decomposing the waste of the plants and fruit fly. Meanwhile, it also plays a role as the food of the fruit fly.

A bio-science project led by Chongqing University

The research team from School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, undertook the research and development of the biological module. The team has spent two years after receiving the task in determining the species to take to the moon, and then encapsulating the payload. It has experimented with hundreds of plants to select the ones able to survive in extreme conditions. 

Thanks to the project, human beings have ushered in the first green leaf growing on the barren surface of the moon. It will offer a research basis and experience for building the lunar base in the future.

Source: CQCB