Shenzhou-21 Crew Performs Space Experiments, Maintenance | China Space Station

Shenzhou-21 Crew Performs Space Experiments, Maintenance | China Space Station

China's Shenzhou-21 astronauts have steadily carried out a series of tasks aboard the Tiangong Space Station over the past week, including in-orbit experiments, equipment maintenance, and health monitoring, the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) stated on March 15, 2026.

The crew, comprised of mission commander Zhang Lu and astronauts Wu Fei and Zhang Hongzhang, have spent more than four months in orbit and remain in good health, according to the CMSA.

Inside the station's core module, cherry tomatoes cultivated using a water aeroponic device are thriving. The astronauts documented the plants with photos, harvested ripe fruit, and sealed plants and produce separately for preservation.

Building on the success of the cherry tomato cultivation, the team will conduct aeroponic experiments with wheat, carrots, plus medicinal and other edible plants as planned. These trials aim to validate key technologies and expand the range of crops and technical capabilities for space cultivation.

In the field of space materials science, the crew completed several tasks, including cleaning the experimental chamber in the unpressurized compartment, replacing experimental samples, maintaining the electrodes of the central mechanism, and cleaning the window cover of the central mechanism.

They also completed related microgravity combustion science experiments. This included replacing the burner and sampling cover inside the experiment cabinet, as well as vacuumization and exhaust gas discharge.

Additional work included maintenance of the regenerative life support system equipment, microorganism monitoring and assessment, and medical training. This helps familiarize the astronauts with rescue operation methods and force application characteristics in a microgravity environment.

The Shenzhou-21 crewed spacecraft blasted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China on October 31, 2025, sending the three astronauts to the orbiting space station on a six-month mission.

Shenzhou-21 Crew
Zhang Lu (张陆) - Commander & Pilot - 2nd spaceflight
Wu Fei (武飞)  Flight Engineer - 1st spaceflight
Zhang Hong Zhang (张洪章) - Payload Specialist - 1st spaceflight

Video Credit: CCTV
Duration: 1 minute, 26 seconds
Release Date: March 15, 2026

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