Progress in Space Science and Utilization on the China Space Station in 2024–2026
doi: 10.11728/cjss2026.04.2026-yg05 cstr: 32142.14.cjss.2026-yg05
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Abstract: The China Space Station was assembled by the end of 2022, comprising three modules equipped with intravehicular science experiment racks and extravehicular exposed facilities. Operating for over three years, the station has implemented more than 170 science and utilization projects. A series of original, cutting-edge achievements has been attained in space life sciences and biotechnology, space materials science, microgravity fluid and thermal physics, microgravity combustion science, microgravity fundamental physics, and space innovative technology demonstration. This paper introduces the general progress of in-orbit science and utilization, along with typical scientific discoveries—such as the mammal on-orbit feeding experiment, growth of InSe semiconductor crystals, fabrication of high-performance field-effect transistors on ground, and observation of a metastable Body-Centered Cubic (BCC) phase in the crystallization of charged colloids. Planned science and utilization projects will be executed progressively and systematically. Furthermore, applications and transformations of these findings will be further promoted.
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Key words:
- China Space Station (CSS) /
- Microgravity /
- Space science /
- Space utilization /
- On-orbit experiment
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Figure 1. In-orbit experiment photo of mice. (a) Daytime working lighting, (b) night infrared lighting
Figure 2. Drosophila experimental module and procedures for multi-generational cultivation under combined microgravity and hypomagnetic conditions. (a) External appearance of the custom-designed module used aboard the CSS. (b) Internal configuration of the module, showing the GMF and HMF units. (c) Schematic timeline of the three-generation cultivation, concurrent on-orbit and ground-based sampling, and video acquisition
Figure 3. Time-course series of digital images showing the growth and development of Arabidopsis plants grown in space and on ground
Figure 4. (a) Time-course series of digital images showing the growth and development of rice plants grown in space, (b) diagram showing transition time of developmental stages of rice in space, (c) enlarged spike images of rice plants grown in space
Figure 6. Summary model diagram of the mechanism of action of dysregulated molecules in skeletal muscle cells during space flight
Figure 7. Protein samples returned from on-orbit test [10,29]. (a) Overall structure of the T6 Topo II ATPase domain crystal and a local view of the active center. (b) The local density of magnesium ions and AMPPNP in the two active centers of the cryo-EM. (c) The local density of magnesium ions and AMPPNP in the active center of the crystal structure
Figure 9. Analysis of the molecular interaction patterns among different tissues of mice in a single-sample network algorithm in a space environment, as well as the assessment and risk prediction analysis of spatial radiation doses[34]. (a) Schematic diagram of single-sample networks for mice in the ground control group and space flight group. (b) Principal component analysis results of the transcriptomes of different tissues of mice in the space environment. (c) Enrichment results of differentially expressed genes in different tissues of mice in the space environment. (d) Overlapping situation of differentially expressed genes in different tissues of mice in the space environment. (e) Disease risk prediction analysis in the space environment. (f) Mining of key response genes in mice in the space environment. (g) Prediction results of spatial radiation doses based on key response genes of mice in the space environment
Figure 10. Various eutectic growth modes solidified at large undercoolings under microgravity and the numerical simulation[35]
Figure 11. Sample experimental process. (a) Stable suspension in space, (b) Heating and melting of samples, (c) Measurement of melt density
Figure 12. Microstructure of space grown InSe crystal and high performance field-effect transistors[40]
Figure 13. Electrical performance of back-gated ferroelectric semiconductor field effect transistors[41]
Figure 14. Microstructures and magnetic properties of FeCoB alloys solidified in outer space and on the ground[10]
Figure 15. On-orbit ESL experiments. (a)–(d) Full-view camera images showing the suspended sample during heating, isothermal equilibration, free cooling, and after solidification. (e) Temperature-time profile and applied laser power. (f) Images of an oscillating droplet and the corresponding oscillation amplitude. (g) Oscillation decay curve and fitted curve. (h) Temperature dependences of viscosity and surface tension[42]
Figure 16. Comparison of directionally solidified FeSeTe samples[10]. (a) Returned sample ampoule; (b) 1 g (ground) and (c) μg (microgravity) sample rods; Backscattered Electron (BSE) images of the (d) 1 g and (e) μg samples, respectively; (f) XRD patterns; (g) superconducting transition
Figure 17. Comparison of supramolecular gel before and after space exposure: (a) photographs, (b) thermogravimetric analysis curves, (c) derivative thermogravimetric curves, (d) coefficient of friction[44]
Figure 18. Solid-liquid composite lubrication. (a) solid-liquid composite lubrication tribology test box[10], (b) solid-liquid composite lubrication mechanism
Figure 19. Reflection spectrometer and sample unit. (a) Reflection spectrometer in the Fluid Physics Rack. (b) Photograph of the sample unit[46]
Figure 20. Reflection spectra of colloidal crystals formed in space (a) and on the ground (b). The crystal structures are metastable BCC and stable FCC, respectively[46]
Figure 21. Evolution behavior and heat transfer of the space condensation liquid film on a single pin-fin surface[10]. (a) experimental setup for film condensation under microgravity, (b) evolution of the condensation interface on the single pin-fin surface under microgravity, (c) velocity field distribution, (d) temperature distribution
Figure 22. Modal competition of thermal fluid waves under microgravity annular flow[6]
Figure 23. Setup diagram of the CSS granular fluidization Experiments for Chamber A (a) and Chamber B (b)
Figure 24. Critical vibration acceleration required for large particles to move upwards decreases as gravity increases
Figure 25. CH* radical intensity with radial position at different heights of the flames
Figure 26. Soot concentration distributions (a) and evolution of soot load (b) under microgravity laminar diffusion flames at various coflowing oxidizer conditions
Figure 27. Liftoff stabilization and extinction behaviors of near-limit partially premixed flame under microgravity[6,10]. (a) Burner configuration, (b) Lift-off flame in 1 g and μ g, (c) Flame liftoff height hL over burner size d, i.e. hL/d vs. inverse of mixing Damköhler number Dam−1, (d) Extinction of partially premixed flame under microgravity (upper: experiment; lower: simulation), (e) Analysis from simulation for Qrad/Qrea (radiative heat loss over total reaction heat release) vs. Damköhler number DaL
Figure 28. The CSSAI and rotation measurement. (a) The CSSAI and its optical system[6], (b) Rotation measurement in space
Figure 29. Magneto optical trap (MOT) atoms photography shot by the CCD camera[64]. (a) 87Sr MOT atoms, (b) 88Sr MOT atoms
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