A handover ceremony for space station experimental samples brought back by the Shenzhou-18 spacecraft is held at the Space Utilization Technology and Engineering Center of the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 4, 2024. (Technology and Engineering Center for Space Utilization of the Chinese Academy of Sciences/Handout via Xinhua)

Researchers examine packages containing experimental space station samples brought back by the Shenzhou-18 spacecraft to the Space Utilization Technology and Engineering Center of the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing, capital of China, November 4, 2024. (Technology and Engineering Center for Space Utilization) Space Utilization under the Chinese Academy of Sciences/Handout via Xinhua)

Researchers examine experimental samples of the space station brought back by the Shenzhou-18 spacecraft at the Space Utilization Technology and Engineering Center of the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing, capital of China, on November 4, 2024. (Technology and Engineering Center for Space Utilization under the Chinese Academy of Sciences/Handout via Xinhua)

The Shenzhou-18 spacecraft returned to Earth with 34.6 kilograms of experimental samples from the space station, including microorganisms, alloy materials and nanomaterials that are difficult to prepare on Earth, Science Daily reported Monday and technology.

The recovered samples are poised to advance the development of space fiber lasers, facilitate the creation of extraterrestrial materials, and explore prospects for the spread of life on Earth throughout the cosmos.

The Shenzhou-18 return capsule, carrying three Chinese astronauts, returned to Earth early Monday morning, after completing a six-month mission to the space station.

The scientific experimental samples brought back by the spacecraft included a total of 55 types, covering 28 scientific projects in fields such as space life science, space materials science and microgravity combustion science.

Life science specimens include methane-generating archaea, radiation-resistant microbes, and rock-inhabiting microorganisms. This work should lay the scientific foundation for studying the potential habitability of extraterrestrial environments and assessing the ability of microorganisms to adapt to the challenges of space.

Part of the returned samples are high temperature resistant alloys, optical fibers and optical coatings. These innovative materials have the potential to revolutionize the manufacturing of next-generation aerospace turbine blades, space-adapted fiber lasers and precision medical repairs.

The spacecraft also returned nanoparticles derived from burning methane, intended to facilitate the future synthesis of particulate matter critical for extraterrestrial environments.