Shenzhou-21 Crew Resume Space Science Work Following Spring Festival
Tiangong TV: March 7th 2026.
Following a short break for the Spring Festival (春节) in mid-February to appreciate views of Earth below, Shenzhou-21 taikonauts Zhang Lu (张陆)1, Wu Fei (武飞)2, and Zhang Hongzhang (张洪章)3 quickly returned to supporting science experiments onboard the Tiangong Space Station. This week, the China Manned Space Agency published a narrated episode of ‘Tiangong TV’, detailing the crew’s recent activities.
Attached below is a translated transcript of the newest episode:
As the sun rises outside the capsule, the three taikonauts of Shenzhou-21 begin another work week. What experiments are underway inside the space station, and how are the crew members conducting their health monitoring activities? Let’s take a look.
In the field of space medicine experiments, the three taikonauts used laptops and related experimental software to complete testing for multiple projects, including trust and coordination mechanisms, human-machine trust in space, and microgravity intuitive physical behavior experiments. The crew also used a space Raman spectrometer to detect metabolic components in urine samples; the collected information will be used to further refine and improve the relevant characteristic metabolite indicator system and evaluation criteria. Additionally, the three taikonauts utilized electroencephalography equipment to gather data for experiments on metacognitive monitoring, deep cognition, and emotional analysis and regulation, supporting ongoing research by ground-based scientists.
In the field of microgravity physics, the crew carried out tasks according to the experiment schedule, including replacing the sampling cover of the combustion science experiment cabinet, evacuating waste gases, and changing experimental samples in the fluid physics experiment cabinet.
In terms of cabin management, the crew carried out regular inspections of the space station platform as planned, and completed environmental monitoring work such as emergency point testing, temperature measurement, and wind speed measurement, continuously safeguarding the habitable environment of their space home.
In terms of health monitoring, the crew underwent multiple medical examinations including blood pressure and venous checks, body composition measurements, and exercise-induced cardiopulmonary function tests. They also utilized a traditional Chinese medicine diagnostic instrument to collect relevant data, enabling ground-based researchers to closely track the health status of the three taikonauts during their mission.
On the occasion of International Women’s Day, we extend our warmest wishes to all women for a joyful holiday. We also wish the three taikonauts smooth progress in their in-orbit mission. See you next week!
If there are any problems with this translation please reach out and correct me.
Tiangong TV Episode March 7th 2026 originally from the China Manned Space Agency, cloned to YouTube for archival.
Zhang Lu is the Commander and Pilot of the mission for his second spaceflight, having flown for the Shenzhou-15 mission between November 2022 and June 2023. He is from Hanshou County (汉寿县), Hunan (湖南) province, and was selected as part of China’s second taikonaut group in 2010, also being considered a ‘post-70s’ taikonaut having been born in November 1976.
Before becoming a taikonaut, Zhang served in the People’s Liberation Army Air Force and achieved the rank of Senior Colonel. He also joined the Communist Party of China in April 1999. After the Shenzhou-15 mission, Zhang was awarded the Spaceflight Merit Medal (Third Class) along with the honorary title of hero taikonaut.
Wu Fei is the Flight Engineer for this mission, which will be his first trip into space. He is from Baotou (包头市 / ᠪᠤᠭᠤᠲᠤᠬᠣᠲᠠ), in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region (内蒙古自治区 / ᠥᠪᠥᠷ ᠮᠣᠩᠭᠣᠯ ᠤᠨ ᠤᠨᠥᠪᠡᠷᠲᠡᠭᠨ ᠵᠠᠰᠠᠬᠤ ᠣᠷᠣᠨ), and was selected as part of the third taikonaut group in October 2020, while being considered a ‘post-90s’ taikonaut having been born in 1993.
Before his selection as a taikonaut, Wu was an engineer at the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation. He also joined the Communist Party of China in 2015.
Zhang Hongzhang is the Payload Expert for this mission, with it being his first trip to space. He is from Binzhou (滨州市), Shandong (山东) province, and was also selected as part of the third taikonaut group in October 2020, while being considered a ‘post-80s’ taikonaut having been born in 1986.
Prior to being selected as a taikonaut, Zhang was a researcher at the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (中国科学院大连化学物理研究所), where he explored new materials and technology for batteries. He also joined the Communist Party of China in 2004.