China's Chang'e-4 lunar probe is expected to do many things unprecedented¹ in space history after its launch later this year, such as touching² down softly on the far side of the Moon and taking the first flowers to blossom on the lifeless lunar surface.

 

嫦娥四号今年下半年发射升空后将做许多太空史上前所未有的事情，比如在月球背面软着陆、在毫无生机的月球表面让第一朵鲜花开放。
 

 

The probe will carry a tin containing seeds of potato and arabidopsis, a small flowering plant related to cabbage and mustard, and probably some silkworm eggs to conduct the first biological experiment on the Moon. 

 

Researchers hope the seeds will grow to blossom on the Moon, with the process captured on camera and transmitted to Earth.

 

The "lunar mini biosphere³" experiment was designed by 28 Chinese universities, led by southwest China's Chongqing University, a conference on scientific and technological⁴ innovation of Chongqing Municipality has heard.

 

The public, especially young people, are being encouraged to participate in projects related to the Chang'e-4 mission. The China National Space Administration (CNSA) launched a contest among students across China in 2016, collecting ideas on the design of the payloads.

 

The "lunar mini biosphere" experiment was selected from more than 200 submissions⁵, according to the CNSA. 

点击收听单词发音