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.

在刚刚结束的于北京举行的2017全球航天探索大会上，中国科学家在月球探测项目中公布了他们计划实行的多项任务。

Among them, the creation of a "mini ecosystem¹ on the moon's surface" is due to be led by researchers with Chongqing University, reports the Chongqing Morning Post.

据《重庆晨报》报道，在这些任务中，在月球表面建立微型生态系统将由重庆大学的研究人员领导进行。

The "mini ecosystem" will actually be contained in an 18X16cm cylinder².

这个“微型生态系统”实际上是一个18x16厘米的缸体。

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.

据该项目的总设计师谢更新教授表示，2018年“嫦娥四号”任务中的一环就是将该缸体放置在月球表面。

Potato seeds and the larvae³ of insects, including the silkworm, will be inside the cylinder.

土豆种子以及包括蚕在内的昆虫幼虫都会被放置在其中。

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

该项任务的目标是确定土豆能否在月球生长，以及昆虫能否在月球存活。

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

如果可以的话，这将是最终在火星上建立一个功能完备的人类殖民地的重要一步。

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

来自中国28所大学的科学家和研究人员正在努力设计需要进行各种实验的硬件。