Shenzhou-23 crew carry out experiments in space

China’s Shenzhou-23 spacecraft crew have carried out an extensive suite of scientific experiments three weeks into their deployment aboard the orbiting Tiangong space station. The three astronauts — mission commander arrived at the space station on May 25, just hours after launching from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center.

Over the past three weeks, the crew have conducted experiments in areas including life sciences, materials science, microgravity fluid physics, aerospace medicine and new space technologies. Scientists hope the experiment will clarify the molecular mechanisms driving liver cell metabolism under microgravity conditions, potentially offering a therapeutic target to prevent fatty liver disease during long-duration space flights.