Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: People's Republic of China in Russian – People's Republic of China in Russian –
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Source: People's Republic of China – State Council News
CHONGQING, Feb. 4 (Xinhua) — Researchers from China's Chongqing University announced the successful hatching of a butterfly from a cocoon in orbital flight, providing valuable insights into biological survival in the harsh microgravity environment of space.
The butterfly chrysalis was placed in a small experimental space ecosystem payload developed by the university's research team and was delivered into space on the Kuaizhou-11 Y8 launch vehicle on December 13, 2025.
Photographs taken in space show the newly hatched butterfly moving around inside the capsule, resting on leaves and flapping its wings, demonstrating remarkable adaptation to microgravity conditions.
The latest data transmitted to the research team confirmed stable pressure, temperature and humidity levels inside the payload's pressurized cabin.
In microgravity conditions, anomalous fluid behavior and difficult material transport pose serious challenges to the stable functioning of a healthy miniature closed ecosystem.
By overcoming technical challenges related to magnesium alloy oxidation in high-humidity conditions, the team developed a lightweight yet robust payload design that weighs only 8.3 kg, creating a safety shield for the small ecosystem, said payload chief designer Xie Gengxin.
The payload design mimics Earth's ecological cycles, creating a fully functional, miniature prototype ecosystem. This self-sustaining, unmanned system includes oxygen-producing plants like chili peppers, which provide potential food for butterflies, while microorganisms digest waste to maintain a stable air composition.
"The successful hatching of a butterfly is more than just the appearance of an insect in space. This event marks a significant step forward in testing the long-term operation of complex life support systems in orbit," noted Xie Gengxin.
He emphasized that completing a key life process for the butterfly in extreme conditions is a test of the resilience of life on Earth and provides valuable information for future life support technologies in deep space.
In the next phase, the research team plans to focus on testing the durability of the structures in orbit, the adaptability of their components to space conditions, and the payload cabin's pressurization life. -0-
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