人類首次! 中國將於明年在月球上種土豆!

Scientists in China have unveiled multiple tasks they plan to carry out as part of the lunar exploration program at the just-concluded Global Space Exploration Conference (GLEX 2017) in Beijing.

在剛剛結束的於北京舉行的2017全球航天探索大會上，中國科學家在月球探測項目中公佈了他們計劃實行的多項任務。

Among them, the creation of a "mini ecosystem on the moon's surface" is due to be led by researchers with Chongqing University, reports the Chongqing Morning Post.

據《重慶晨報》報道，在這些任務中，在月球表面建立微型生態系統將由重慶大學的研究人員領導進行。

The "mini ecosystem" will actually be contained in an 18X16cm cylinder.

這個“微型生態系統”實際上是一個18x16釐米的缸體。

It's due to be put on the moon's surface as part the Chang'e-4 mission in 2018, according to Professor Xie Gengxin, head designer of the project.

據該項目的總設計師謝更新教授表示，2018年“嫦娥四號”任務中的一環就是將該缸體放置在月球表面。

Potato seeds and the larvae of insects, including the silkworm, will be inside the cylinder.

土豆種子以及包括蠶在內的昆蟲幼蟲都會被放置在其中。

The goal is to determine whether the potatoes can grow on the moon, and whether the insects can survive.

該項任務的目標是確定土豆能否在月球生長，以及昆蟲能否在月球存活。

If they can, this will be major step toward ultimately putting a fully-functioning human colony on Mars.

如果可以的話，這將是最終在火星上建立一個功能完備的人類殖民地的重要一步。

Scientists and researchers from 28 different universities in China are now working on designing the hardware needed to carry out the various tests.

來自中國28所大學的科學家和研究人員正在努力設計需要進行各種實驗的硬件。