Beijing, China - Recent (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland)
1. Researcher showing experimental sample of anaerobic archaea
2. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Dong Xiuzhu, researcher, Institute of Microbiology under Chinese Academy of Sciences (starting with shot 1/ending with shot 3):
"Anaerobic archaea are chosen for these experiments due to their simple dietary requirements. Unlike humans, who rely on consuming starch and meat, these anaerobic archaea can sustain themselves by solely consuming hydrogen and carbon dioxide, then turn into methane."
3. Experimental samples of anaerobic archaea
4. Various of researcher conducting experiment
5. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Liu Zhu, professor, Department of Earth System Science, Tsinghua University (starting with shot 4):
"We have selected these anaerobic archaea and sent them to the platform of the Chinese space station. By utilizing the space station's exposed conditions of cosmic radiation, along with the microgravity environment and other extreme factors such as temperature, we aim to verify whether this early-life form on Earth can survive in such conditions."
6. Various of researchers conducting experiment
7. Experimental samples of anaerobic archaea
8. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Liu Zhu, professor, Department of Earth System Science at Tsinghua University (starting with shot 7/partially overlaid with shots 9-10):
"Our experiments aim to provide a reverse-validation perspective. If these methanogenic bacteria can survive in the simulated environment and demonstrate robust growth while producing methane, it would substantiate the notion that primitive life forms on Earth can indeed survive and even thrive in extraterrestrial conditions. This outcome would offer a profound revelation for us: if methane discovered on Mars is potentially originated from life, it suggests the possibility of a common origin between Martian life and life on Earth."
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9. Various of researchers conducting experiment
10. Various of experimental samples of anaerobic archaea
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11. Various of researchers conducting experiment, experimental samples of anaerobic archaea

China's Tianzhou-7 cargo spacecraft delivered anaerobic archaea, one of experiment payloads, to the space station for scientific experiments aimed at exploring the viability and methane production of Earth's early life forms in simulated cosmic environment, offering insights into the potential existence of extraterrestrial life.

Tianzhou-7 was launched on Wednesday night to deliver supplies for the orbiting Tiangong space station, according to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA).

The experiment payloads carried by Tianzhou-7 include anaerobic archaea, one of Earth's oldest life forms and a major contributor to atmospheric methane. They are widely found in anaerobic environments, including deep-sea habitats, rice fields, and the digestive systems of ruminant animals.

Once transferred to the space station, the anaerobic archaea will undergo scientific experiments to assess their ability to survive in a simulated atmospheric environment of Mars and extreme conditions like cosmic radiation. The experiments aim to provide valuable insights into the fundamental question of the existence of extraterrestrial life.

"Anaerobic archaea are chosen for these experiments due to their simple dietary requirements. Unlike humans, who rely on consuming starch and meat, these anaerobic archaea can sustain themselves by solely consuming hydrogen and carbon dioxide, then turn into methane," said Dong Xiuzhu, researcher at the Institute of Microbiology under the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

"We have selected these anaerobic archaea and sent them to the platform of the Chinese space station. By utilizing the space station's exposed conditions of cosmic radiation, along with the microgravity environment and other extreme factors such as temperature, we aim to verify whether this early-life form on Earth can survive in such conditions," said Liu Zhu, professor of the Department of Earth System Science at Tsinghua University.

According to reports, NASA's Curiosity rover, since its landing on Mars in 2012, has detected multiple instances of inexplicable methane signals. Scientists have speculated that these methane emissions might be produced by extraterrestrial biological activity, with methanogenic bacteria being considered as one of the possible life forms on Mars or Enceladus, Saturn's sixth largest moon.

When it comes to determining the existence of methanogenic bacteria, scientists have explored the possibility of conducting in-situ detection of extraterrestrial life signals on planets such as Mars. However, these endeavors would demand substantial time and financial investments.

On the other hand, using existing instruments like isotope analyzers, current technological capabilities are insufficient to achieve the precision required for identifying the biological origin of methane signals during in-situ exploration.

Considering the limitations of these two approaches, the experiments carried out on the Chinese space station can serve as a viable alternative method.

"Our experiments aim to provide a reverse-validation perspective. If these methanogenic bacteria can survive in the simulated environment and demonstrate robust growth while producing methane, it would substantiate the notion that primitive life forms on Earth can indeed survive and even thrive in extraterrestrial conditions," Liu said.

"This outcome would offer a profound revelation for us: if methane discovered on Mars is potentially originated from life, it suggests the possibility of a common origin between Martian life and life on Earth," he said.