Biological Experiment Payload (BEP) (f.k.a. Lunar Micro Ecosystem)

Spaceflight Research Tool

ChangE-4 Lunar Micro Ecosystem
The Chang'e-4 lander that the BEP was onboard. | Image Credit: CNSA
  • Full Name: Biological Experiment Payload (BEP)
  • A.K.A: Lunar Micro Ecosystem, The Little Greenhouse on the Moon
  • Affiliation: CNSA (中国国家航天局)
  • Country: People’s Republic of China (中华人民共和国)
  • Focus Areas: Plant Habitat
  • Type: Spaceflight, Lunar
  • Spacecraft: Chang’e-4 Lander (嫦娥四号)
  • In Service: Jan 3rd – Jan 12th, 2019 (8 days, 22 hours, 45 minutes)
  • Led by: Chongqing University (重庆大学)
  • Confirmed Plants Grown:
  • Accolades: 
      • First astrobotany work on the lunar surface
  • Key Features:
      • Closed system
      • CCD cameras
      • Light guide tube to allow sunlight from the lunar surface into the payload

Summary

The Biological Experiment Payload (BEP)* (“the little greenhouse on the moon”) is an aluminum closed system container onboard the Chinese Chang’e-4 spacecraft. This small box contained silkworm eggs, nutrients, water, cotton, Arabidopsis thaliana, potato seeds, and tomato seeds.  CNSA successfully grew cotton inside the BEP, making it the first astrobotany experiment to be performed on the Moon.  Additionally, the BEP used a remarkable light guide tube to direct sunlight on the surface of the Moon into the payload to power plant photosynthesis.  

*The original name “Lunar Micro Ecosystem” was derived from this release, but has now been updated to its formal name: “Biological Experiment Payload (BEP)  – KNR 25OCT2023

Specifications

  • Weight: 2.608 kg
  • Height: 198 mm
  • Diameter: 173 mm 
  • Total Interior Volume: 0.82L
  • Interior Volume used for Biological Activity: 0.42L

References