China has begun the world’s first space experiment on human artificial embryos, with samples now aboard its space station and the study progressing smoothly, scientists announced Wednesday.

Delivered by the Tianzhou-10 cargo craft launched earlier this week, the human artificial embryo samples have been installed in the space station’s experimental module by the orbiting taikonauts, according to the Technology and Engineering Center for Space Utilization under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, which is in charge of the experiment.

“The experiment is going very well,” said Yu Leqian, the project leader for the artificial embryo space science experiment. “A pre-set automated system changes the culture medium for the samples every day.” According to Yu, through this study, scientists aim to conduct preliminary research on issues related to long-term human habitation, survival and reproduction in space.