China’s National Space Science Center will fund 80 projects to answer “cutting-edge scientific problems,” including the origin of our solar system.

CGTN’s Elaine Reyes explains how this fits in with the country’s broader space exploration and research plans.

Much of that work is done at the country’s National Space Science Center, or NSSC. Last December, it began asking for proposals: What should China do next in space?

Organizations submitted nearly 140 ideas. And this month, a team of experts selected 80 for funding and development.

Some ideas are already proving fruitful literally. On the Shenzhou-11 mission last year, Chinese astronauts carried mango seeds into space.

They spent 33 days in orbit exposed to radiation, varying cabin pressures and, of course, weightlessness.

China is set to make a major advance next month. In April, it plans to launch its first cargo spacecraft the Tianzhou-1.

It will play a critical supply role in future missions to China’s space station.

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Leroy Chiao discusses China’s role in space

To discuss the country’s newest plans in Chinese space research projects, CGTN’s Elaine Reyes spoke with former NASA astronaut and commander of the International Space Station, Leroy Chiao.