China Names Astronauts for Shenzhou 21 Mission to Tiangong Station
China has announced the crew for its upcoming Shenzhou 21 mission to the Tiangong Space Station, scheduled to launch on October 31, 2023. During a pre-launch press conference, three astronauts were introduced: Zhang Lu, Wu Fei, and Zhang Hongzhang. The mission will take place aboard the Shenzhou 21 spacecraft, which is set to lift off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the Gobi Desert at 11:44 a.m. EDT (15:44 GMT or 11:44 p.m. Beijing Time) on Friday.
The Shenzhou 21 mission will be commanded by Zhang Lu, 48, who previously served as a crew member on the Shenzhou 15 mission that launched in November 2022. Reflecting on his upcoming journey, Zhang expressed enthusiasm, stating, “After two years, being able to once again represent my country and carry out the Shenzhou-21 mission fills me with excitement and anticipation.”
First-Time Space Travelers
Both Zhang Hongzhang and Wu Fei are part of China’s third astronaut cohort, selected in 2020, and they will be embarking on their inaugural space missions. Zhang, 39, is a payload specialist and researcher at the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics under the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS). In contrast, Wu Fei, at 32, is the youngest member of China’s astronaut corps and serves as an engineer at the China Academy of Space Technology (CAST). Wu shared his excitement, saying, “As the youngest member of China’s Astronaut Corps, I feel extremely fortunate to embark on my spaceflight mission.”
The Long March 2F rocket will transport the astronauts to the Tiangong Space Station, where they are expected to spend approximately six months. Their time in orbit will involve conducting experiments, performing extravehicular activities (EVAs), and engaging in public outreach and educational activities. The crew will also oversee the arrival and departure of cargo missions.
Innovative Experiments and Crew Transition
For the first time, the Shenzhou 21 mission will include small mammals, specifically four black mice—two females and two males. These mice will be utilized in experiments focused on reproduction in low Earth orbit, marking a significant step in China’s biological research in space.
This mission will be the tenth crewed flight to the Tiangong Space Station since its establishment. Currently, the station is home to the crew of Shenzhou 20, consisting of Chen Dong, Chen Zhongrui, and Wang Jie. They are scheduled to hand over control of the station to the Shenzhou 21 crew before returning to Earth on November 3, landing near the Jiuquan spaceport.
China’s space program continues to make strides in human spaceflight, with the Shenzhou 21 mission representing another significant milestone in its ambitious exploration objectives.
