太空種(zhong)子是把精選(xuan)的作(zuo)物種(zhong)子通過航(hang)天飛(fei)(fei)行器(qi)搭載(zai)到(dao)太空，在空間特殊環境下使種(zhong)子發生變(bian)化。然(ran)后再到(dao)地(di)面進行優選(xuan)的育種(zhong)手(shou)段(duan)。在空間站關鍵技術(shu)驗(yan)(yan)證階(jie)段(duan)歷次飛(fei)(fei)行任(ren)務中，均(jun)安排了(le)航(hang)天育種(zhong)實驗(yan)(yan)項(xiang)目(mu)。

從已公布(bu)的載人飛船航(hang)(hang)天(tian)育(yu)種(zhong)(zhong)實(shi)驗(yan)項目(mu)清單來看，神舟十二(er)號和神舟十三號載人飛船返回(hui)(hui)艙帶回(hui)(hui)88家單位上千件（份）作物(wu)種(zhong)(zhong)子、微(wei)(wei)生(sheng)物(wu)菌種(zhong)(zhong)等航(hang)(hang)天(tian)育(yu)種(zhong)(zhong)材料。神舟十四(si)號和神舟十五號載人飛船共搭(da)載112家單位1300余(yu)份作物(wu)種(zhong)(zhong)子、微(wei)(wei)生(sheng)物(wu)菌種(zhong)(zhong)等航(hang)(hang)天(tian)育(yu)種(zhong)(zhong)材料。