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Shenzhou 21

retired
Human SpaceflightLEOCOSPAR 2025-246ALaunched 10/31/2025
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Mission & Launch
Launch Mission
Shenzhou 21 Mission
Launch Vehicle
Long March 2F G
Launch Date
10/31/2025
Last Contact
11/14/2025
Orbit & Mass
Orbit Class
LEO
Altitude
387.5 km
Inclination
41.47 deg
Dry Mass
3,258 kg
Total Mass
8,100 kg
Payload Classification
Mission Type
Human Spaceflight
Payload Category
SS
Payload Class
C
Organizations
Operator
China Manned Space Agency (CMSA)
Manufacturer
China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT)
Registry
COSPAR ID
2025-246A
Track
Mentions
345
All verified mentions of this spacecraft in source documents.
0.0-5.0
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Shenzhou-21 conducted its first extravehicular activity (EVA).

CapabilityGeneralValue 3.5Dec 11, 2025Recap of Shenzhou-21's first EVA, 8 hours and 17 minutes from 02:28UTC to 10:45UTC

Shenzhou-21 has completed its first EVA.

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CapabilityGeneralValue 3.5Dec 9, 2025Shenzhou-21 have completed their first EVA. Astronauts ZHANG Lu and WU Fei worked together to inspect Shenzhou-20 spacecraft, install debris shields, et al

The Tianzhou-10 cargo spacecraft is scheduled to arrive in 2026 while the Shenzhou-21 crew is onboard.

PlanValue 4.0Dec 9, 2025First Shenzhou-21 Spacewalk Inspects Damaged Spacecraft, Installs Protective Hardware [SZ-21 EVA-1]

Shenzhou-21 astronauts Zhang Lu and Wu Fei completed an approximately 8-hour spacewalk outside the Tiangong space station.

CapabilityGeneralValue 4.0Dec 9, 2025Shenzhou-21 astronauts Zhang Lu and Wu Fei completed an ~8 hour spacewalk outside Tiangong space station at 1045 UTC today, according to CMSEO. Tasks included installing debris protection & photographing the Shenzhou-20 cracked window. https://www.cmse.gov.cn/xwzx/202512/t20251209_57164.html

The Shenzhou-21 taikonauts will remain onboard the Tiangong Space Station for five months.

PlanValue 3.5Dec 9, 2025First Shenzhou-21 Spacewalk Inspects Damaged Spacecraft, Installs Protective Hardware [SZ-21 EVA-1]

The Shenzhou-21 crew, consisting of Zhang Lu, Wu Fei, and Zhang Hongzhang, is scheduled to conduct their first spacewalk.

PlanGovernanceValue 3.5Dec 7, 2025CMSA Doubles Down on Safety Following First Human Spaceflight Emergency

Shenzhou-21 astronauts are preparing for their first EVA.

PlanCapabilityValue 3.0Dec 4, 2025Shenzhou-21 astronauts are preparing for their first EVA. Tasks will likely include an external inspection of the cracked window on the Shenzhou-20 spacecraft.

The Shenzhou-21 crew will embark on their first EVA tomorrow.

PlanValue 3.5Dec 4, 2025The Shenzhou-21 crew will be embarking on their first EVA in the coming days (quite possibly tomorrow), according to China's human spaceflight agency. Let's see if they go patch that crack in the Shenzhou-20 window. https://www.cmse.gov.cn/xwzx/202512/t20251204_57154.html

Astronauts aboard Shenzhou 20 returned to Earth on November 14 in a different spacecraft, Shenzhou 21.

PlanGeneralValue 2.5Dec 3, 2025中国、宇宙船「神舟20号」を無人で帰還させる方針–デブリで損傷

The Shenzhou-21 crew detected metabolic components in urine samples using space-time slowed-down spectroscopy.

CapabilityValue 4.0Dec 1, 2025Shenzhou-21 Taikonauts Participate in Medical Experiments, Routine Emergency Drill

The Shenzhou-21 crew simulated an emergency response process during their first full-system pressure emergency drill.

CapabilityGeneralValue 3.0Dec 1, 2025Shenzhou-21 Taikonauts Participate in Medical Experiments, Routine Emergency Drill

China chose to prioritize safety by deciding to return astronauts first on Shenzhou-21.

PlanValue 2.4Dec 1, 2025China’s backup strategy kicks in: “打一备一,滚动备份” — launch one spacecraft, keep another ready. The choice: 1️⃣ Launch Shenzhou-22 first, then return 2️⃣ Return the astronauts first on Shenzhou-21 They choose safety: return first.

The Shenzhou-21 crew organized supplies and cleaned the cabin environment for inventory management.

GeneralValue 1.8Dec 1, 2025Shenzhou-21 Taikonauts Participate in Medical Experiments, Routine Emergency Drill

The Shenzhou-21 crew completed routine equipment inspections and maintenance.

CapabilityGeneralValue 2.0Dec 1, 2025Shenzhou-21 Taikonauts Participate in Medical Experiments, Routine Emergency Drill

On November 14, the Shenzhou-20 astronauts changed spacecraft and boarded Shenzhou-21.

GeneralValue 4.0Dec 1, 2025Nov 14: The Shenzhou-20 astronauts “change tickets” and board Shenzhou-21. A new 3-orbit autonomous fast-return mode is used for the first time, cutting return time by 3+ hours. Ground control holds its breath through radio blackout. Signal returns. Crew safe. Huge relief.

The Shenzhou-21 crew replaced the high-speed image storage unit in the two-phase system experiment cabinet.

CapabilityValue 3.2Dec 1, 2025Shenzhou-21 Taikonauts Participate in Medical Experiments, Routine Emergency Drill

The Shenzhou-21 crew conducted routine checks on the low-temperature storage unit and the -80 degree Celsius space refrigerator.

CapabilityValue 3.5Dec 1, 2025Shenzhou-21 Taikonauts Participate in Medical Experiments, Routine Emergency Drill

The Shenzhou-21 crew consists of taikonauts Zhang Lu, Wu Fei, and Zhang Hongzhang.

CapabilityValue 2.0Dec 1, 2025Shenzhou-21 Taikonauts Participate in Medical Experiments, Routine Emergency Drill

The Shenzhou-21 crew systematically advanced all in-orbit tasks as scheduled last week.

PlanValue 2.2Dec 1, 2025Shenzhou-21 Taikonauts Participate in Medical Experiments, Routine Emergency Drill

The Shenzhou-21 crew collected behavioral data on intuitive physical behavior using laptops.

CapabilityGeneralValue 3.0Dec 1, 2025Shenzhou-21 Taikonauts Participate in Medical Experiments, Routine Emergency Drill