The Shenzhou-21 crewed mission will begin its six-month journey to the Tiangong Space Station at 11:44 pm today (Oct. 31). Zhang Jingbo, spokesperson for the China Manned Space Engineering Office, announced on Oct. 30 that after research by the mission headquarters, the launch of the Shenzhou-21 crewed spacecraft is targeted at 23:44 Beijing Time on Oct. 31.
The astronaut crew for the Shenzhou-21 mission consists of Zhang Lu, Wu Fei, and Zhang Hongzhang, with Zhang Lu serving as the commander. During their stay in orbit, they will conduct 27 new scientific and application projects and, for the first time, raise four mice in space.
Zhang Jingbo introduced that the three astronauts for the Shenzhou-21 mission—Zhang Lu, Wu Fei, and Zhang Hongzhang—are respectively a space pilot, a flight engineer, and a payload specialist, covering the three current types of astronauts in China. Astronaut Zhang Lu previously executed the Shenzhou-15 crewed mission, while both Wu Fei and Zhang Hongzhang are from China's third batch of astronauts and are undertaking their first flight mission. Among them, Wu Fei was an engineer at the China Academy of Space Technology (CAST) before his selection, and Zhang Hongzhang was a researcher at the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics (DICP) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) before his selection.
Approximately six-month stay to conduct space payload experiments
This mission is the sixth crewed flight mission during the space station's application and development stage and the 37th flight mission of the China Manned Space Program. Zhang Jingbo noted that the primary objectives of this mission are to complete the in-orbit crew rotation with the Shenzhou-20 crew, remain aboard the space station for approximately six months, conduct space science and application work, perform extravehicular activities (EVAs) and cargo transfers, install space debris protection devices, install and retrieve extravehicular payloads and equipment, carry out science education and public welfare activities, and conduct space payload experiments to continuously maximize the comprehensive application benefits of the space station.
According to reports, the Shenzhou-21 crew will conduct 27 new scientific and application projects during their orbit stay, focusing on in-depth and systematic research into key scientific issues across multiple fields, including space life sciences and biotechnology, space medicine, space materials science, microgravity fluid physics and combustion, and new aerospace technologies.
Notably, the crew will conduct China's first in-orbit space science experiment involving rodents, selecting two male and two female mice to be transported to the spacecraft and raised in orbit, with a focus on studying the effects of space conditions such as weightlessness and confinement on the behavioral patterns of the mice.
'Mouse-tronauts' to advance research on human survival in space
It is worth mentioning that these "mouse-tronauts" are quite special; they are not common white mice but inbred strain black mice, sharing approximately 85% genetic similarity with humans. According to a CCTV News report, these four mice were selected from 300 candidates. They can run on "exercise bikes," withstand "whirling rotations," and have undergone over 60 days of intense training, making them resilient and "optimistic mouse-tronauts." After completing their mission, the mice will return to Earth with the spacecraft for further scientific research, exploring the stress responses and adaptive changes of multiple mouse tissues and organs in the space environment.
Li Tianda, an associate researcher at the Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, explained that a crucial indicator for this mission is ensuring the mice go up alive and return alive. This research holds significant importance for future studies on long-term human survival, reproduction, and health in space.
Currently, the flight products for the Shenzhou-21 spacecraft and rocket are under controlled quality, the astronaut crew is in good condition, ground system facilities and equipment are operating stably, and the space station combination is in normal condition, meeting all requirements for the launch mission. As planned, after entering orbit, the Shenzhou-21 spacecraft will use an autonomous rapid rendezvous and docking mode, docking with the forward port of the Tianhe core module in approximately 3.5 hours, forming a combination of three spacecraft and three modules. The Shenzhou-20 crew, having "worked away in space" for over six months, will return to the Dongfeng landing site after completing the in-orbit rotation with the Shenzhou-21 crew.
Heading to the moon before 2030
"We are steadfastly anchored to the goal of achieving a Chinese crewed lunar landing before 2030," stated Zhang Jingbo. Currently, the development and construction work for the crewed lunar landing mission is progressing smoothly overall. The flight products, including the Long March-10 carrier rocket, Mengzhou crewed spacecraft, Lanyue lunar lander, Wangyu lunar extravehicular suit, and exploration manned lunar rover, have completed the main work of the preliminary prototype stage. The science research and application system has completed the payload scheme design for various flight missions. The development and construction of ground systems, including the launch site, measurement and control communications, and landing site, are accelerating.
Zhang Jingbo introduced that in 2025, China has already organized and completed several tests, including the secondary power system test for the Long March-10 carrier rocket, the tethering ignition test, the zero-altitude escape test for the Mengzhou crewed spacecraft, and the comprehensive landing and lift-off verification test for the Lanyue lunar lander. Subsequent plans include completing the integrated testing of the Lanyue lunar lander, thermal testing and maximum dynamic pressure escape test for the Mengzhou crewed spacecraft, and low-altitude flight and technical verification flights for the Long March-10 carrier rocket.
He reiterated that China remains steadfast in its goal of achieving a crewed lunar landing before 2030. The product development workload is substantial with high-quality requirements, the flight test schedule is tightly connected, and the progress is intense, with various tasks facing risks and challenges. The entire project team will scientifically coordinate, unite, and collaborate, and strive diligently to ensure the successful completion of all development tasks, laying a solid foundation for the timely realization of the crewed lunar landing mission objectives.
(Source: Wen Wei Po; Journalist: Liu Ningzhe; English Editor: Darius)
Related News:
1-minute News | China's Shenzhou-21 to be launched tomorrow night!
Comment