Shenzhou-21 Crew Support Further Experiments With Mission Extension
Tiangong TV: May 3rd 2026.
With about a month remaining onboard the Tiangong Space Station thanks to extra supplies, Zhang Lu (张陆)1, Wu Fei (武飞)2, and Zhang Hongzhang (张洪章)3 have continued to support various experiments running in orbit, as shown in a new episode of ‘Tiangong TV’. In recent days, alongside that, the orbiting laboratory has also performed a series of altitude adjustments to enable the arrival of the Tianzhou-10 cargo resupply mission around a week from now4.
Attached below is a translated transcript of the newest episode:
After the Shenzhou-21 crew completed their third spacewalk, they took a brief rest before diving back into their next round of in-orbit activities. Let’s take a look at what’s been happening at the space home over the past week.
The on-orbit electroencephalogram testing research is progressing smoothly. The crew is using electroencephalogram acquisition equipment and virtual reality glasses to conduct various electroencephalogram experiments, including brain-computer interface testing for induced stimulation, microgravity intuitive mechanics, spatial cooperation coding, and modulation. Ground-based researchers are conducting follow-up studies based on the data.
Additionally, the crew used laptops and related software to conduct executive function training. During the experiment, the taikonauts observe the screen of the laptop and respond by pressing keys. The resulting metrics can be used to analyze the effectiveness of the training on their executive functions.
In terms of psychological and behavioral research, the crew completed assessments of emergency decision-making capabilities and in-orbit emotional state tests, continuing to collect data to investigate patterns in the changes of emergency decision-making capabilities and emotional states among taikonauts during long-duration missions.
Inside the core module, the three taikonauts conducted on-orbit training for rendezvous and docking using the remotely operated rendezvous and docking system and translation and attitude control handles, while simultaneously carrying out kinematic characteristic experiments. By collecting human kinematic data under microgravity conditions, the posture characteristics and patterns of the taikonauts' intra-cabin operations and movements can be quantitatively analyzed.
In the field of microgravity physical sciences, the crew carried out the replacement of filters and sampling lids in the combustion science experiment cabinet in accordance with the experiment schedule. They also performed maintenance and calibration operations, including the installation and vibration testing of a model apparatus for studying the storage, transport, and interfacial behavior of fluids in space. Additionally, they completed the replacement of equipment in the fluid physics experiment cabinet, as well as the cleaning and replacement of samples in the containerless experiment cabinet, along with routine maintenance and servicing.
The crew carried out scheduled inspections and maintenance of the life support system equipment, measured noise levels in various areas of the cabin using a specialized noise meter, and completed environmental monitoring inside the cabin. In addition, they performed routine platform maintenance tasks, including cleaning the cabin and organizing supplies.
Regarding health monitoring and support, the crew underwent a series of medical examinations, including hearing tests and muscle ultrasound scans, and continued to engage in in-orbit exercise to actively counteract the physiological effects of microgravity.
The Shenzhou-21 crew has now been in orbit for six months and is in good health and spirits. In accordance with the current mission requirements, the three taikonauts will continue their space journey. We wish them every success in completing their remaining in-orbit tasks.
If there are any problems with this translation please reach out and correct me.
Tiangong TV Episode May 3rd 2026 originally from the China Manned Space Agency, cloned to YouTube for archival.
![Shenzhou-21 Mission Being Extended, Taikonauts Perform Another Spacewalk [SZ-21 EVA-3]](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!O1fz!,w_140,h_140,c_fill,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep,g_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe4dcd780-601f-4768-b32b-5fd84d8973e1_8688x4816.jpeg)
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.
A clear indication of an imminent launch, excluding the rollout of a Long March 7 launch vehicle at the Wenchang Space Launch Site, will be the departure of the Tianzhou-9 spacecraft from Tianhe’s aft docking port.