China successfully launched a new three-member crew, including its youngest astronaut ever, to the Tiangong space station early Saturday, accompanied by four laboratory mice for in-orbit experiments.
According to state news agency Xinhua, the Shenzhou-21 spacecraft docked with the Tiangong station at 3:22 AM Saturday (1922 GMT Friday), about three and a half hours after lifting off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in northwest China. The mission was carried into orbit by a Long March-2F rocket.
The mission is led by veteran astronaut Zhang Lu, joined by 32-year-old flight engineer Wu Fei — the youngest Chinese astronaut to travel to space — and payload specialist Zhang Hongzhang, aged 39.
Alongside the crew, four mice, two male and two female, were sent to Tiangong as part of China’s first-ever rodent experiments in orbit, aimed at studying biological responses to long-duration spaceflight.
The China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) said on Thursday that the Shenzhou-21 team will carry out scientific research, spacewalks, and install anti-debris shields on the station’s exterior. The crew will also engage in public outreach and science education to inspire future astronauts.
Since 2011, China has been barred from the International Space Station after a U.S. law prohibited NASA from cooperating with Beijing. In response, China built its own orbital outpost and is now inviting international partners to join its missions.
Earlier this year, China signed an agreement with Pakistan to recruit the first foreign “taikonauts”.