China's Moon mission sees first seeds sprout

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China's Moon mission sees first seeds sprout

8 hours ago


Close-up photo of the seed sprouting under a protective cover Image copyright CLEP
 
Cotton sprouts seen close-up under a protective cover on board the Moon lander

Seeds taken up to the Moon by China's Chang'e-4 mission have sprouted, says China National Space Administration.

It marks the first time any biological matter has grown on the Moon, and is being seen as a significant step towards long-term space exploration.

The Chang'e 4 is the first mission to land on and explore the Moon's far side, facing away from Earth.

It touched down on 3 January, carrying instruments to analyse the region's geology.

â—¾What does China want to do on the Moon's far side?
â—¾Why China has its eye on space
â—¾China Moon probes take snaps of each other

Plants have been grown on the International Space Station before but never on the Moon.

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https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-46873526