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China and Life Science in Space

Similar to early experiments by the USSR, PRC launched animals, including dogs and mice, on suborbital flights in the mid 1960s. Early Chinese efforts focused mainly on unmanned military and civilian space applications, thus life sciences experiments were few. In the 1980's the Great Wall Industries Corporation began promoting commercial applications the Chinese space program, including the opportunity to fly small life sciences payloads on board the FSW recoverable spacecraft which had been developed as an observation platform. The first Western payload was launched 5 August 1987 for the French aerospace company Matra Marconi and was a biological microgravity experiment (References 18-19).

A Chinese biosatellite, FSW-1 3, was launched 5 October 1990 from Jiuquan. Sixty animals and plants were included on the mission, including rats and guinea pigs. Primary studies focused on the effects of weightless ness on metabolism, food requirements, and excretion. The experiments and biosystems were developed by the Astronautical Engineering Institute of the State Commission of Science, Technology, and Industry for National Defense. The recoverable capsule was returned to Earth eight days after launch. The mission initial altitude was 208-311 km at an inclination of 57.0 degrees (References 20-23).

China's Institute of Hydrobiology fielded a group of experiments on FSW-1 4, launched from Jiuquan 6 October 1992. The biosatellite payload included algae, microorganism, rotifers, and a small aquatic creature. Dr. Liu Yongding, impute Deputy Director, said that the algae experiments were particularly successful, with one new form of blue algae produced. The Chinese are considering algae as a potential food source for astronauts on long space missions. The-FSW-1 was deployed in an orbit at 213-309 m altitude with an inclination of 63.0 degrees (Reference 24). Future Chinese life sciences experiments may be flown on the more capable FSW which was introduced in 1992.

18. "Flying into Outer Space", Beijing Guangming Ribad, 20 September 1984.

19. A. Dupas, "Asia in Space: The Awakening of China and Japan", Space Policy, February 1988, p. 31.

20. Aviation Week and Space Technology, 15 October 1990, p.13.

21. Beijing Television Service, 6 October 1990.

22. Beijing Television Service, 14 October 1990.

23. Xinhua Domestic Service.

24. Xinhua News Service, 6 January 1993.

Sources and Resources

• Adapted from: Europe and Asia in Space 1993-1994, Nicholas Johnson and David Rodvold [Kaman Sciences / Air Force Phillips Laboratory]

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