A Chinese space experiment has shown that female mammals can successfully reproduce after spaceflight, with one mouse giving birth to nine healthy pups following a two-week stay aboard the Tiangong space station.

The female returned to Earth on November 14, and the birth on December 10 marks the first known case of a female mammal exposed to microgravity later delivering offspring.

During the mission, mice were carefully monitored under controlled conditions, including simulated Earth-day cycles, balanced nutrition, and AI-tracked behavior, while facing microgravity, radiation, and altered circadian rhythms.

Emergency measures, including the use of soy milk and other astronaut rations, were successfully implemented to prevent a food shortage in orbit, the Daily Galaxy has reported.

Scientists say the findings provide critical insights for mammalian reproduction in space and will inform future long-duration human missions beyond Earth.