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Shenzhou 21

retired
Human SpaceflightLEOCOSPAR 2025-246ALaunched 10/31/2025
Admin Edit
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.
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Shenzhou-21 crew collected saliva samples to research taikonauts’ impact on the space station environment and microbial populations, with samples to undergo centralized testing upon return.

CapabilityGeneralValue 3.6Jan 19, 2026Uncrewed Shenzhou-20 Spacecraft Returns to Earth Following Debris Damage
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Shenzhou-21 crew replaced the sampling cover inside the combustion science experimental cabinet and disassembled and assembled experimental modules inside the fluid physics experimental cabinet during the week.

CapabilityPlanValue 3.0Jan 19, 2026Uncrewed Shenzhou-20 Spacecraft Returns to Earth Following Debris Damage

The Tiangong Space Station conducted a station-wide pressure emergency drill that simulated Shenzhou-21 crew response to an internal depressurization event to consolidate emergency response and ground-space coordination skills.

CapabilityGeneralValue 3.4Jan 19, 2026Uncrewed Shenzhou-20 Spacecraft Returns to Earth Following Debris Damage

Shenzhou-21’s crew returned to Earth in November 2025 aboard Shenzhou-21, taking the crew home after the window damage incident on Shenzhou-20.

GeneralValue 4.2Jan 19, 2026Uncrewed Shenzhou-20 Spacecraft Returns to Earth Following Debris Damage

Shenzhou-21 crew conducted in-situ electrochemical and optical research on lithium-ion batteries for space applications aboard the Tiangong Space Station.

CapabilityGeneralValue 4.0Jan 19, 2026Uncrewed Shenzhou-20 Spacecraft Returns to Earth Following Debris Damage

Shenzhou-20 astronauts CHEN Dong, CHEN Zhongrui, and WANG Jie safely landed in the Shenzhou-21 return capsule.

GeneralValue 4.0Jan 18, 2026Shenzhou-20 spacecraft is returning shortly. Let's see if the uncrewed return capsule can survive.

The Shenzhou-21 crew conducted rendezvous and docking training exercises as scheduled.

PlanValue 2.0Jan 11, 2026Shenzhou-21 Trio Conduct Emergency Drills, Support Battery and Brain Research

The Shenzhou-21 crew completed medical rescue training in simulated hazardous conditions onboard Tiangong.

CapabilityPlanValue 3.0Jan 11, 2026Shenzhou-21 Trio Conduct Emergency Drills, Support Battery and Brain Research

Over 230 research papers were supported by the work of the Shenzhou-21 crew and other crews in 2025.

GeneralValue 2.8Jan 11, 2026Shenzhou-21 Trio Conduct Emergency Drills, Support Battery and Brain Research

The Shenzhou-21 crew conducted space medicine experiments using brain-computer interface equipment.

CapabilityGeneralValue 4.0Jan 11, 2026Shenzhou-21 Trio Conduct Emergency Drills, Support Battery and Brain Research

In January 2026, the crew of Shenzhou-21 engaged in various missions, including space medicine experiments and routine emergency drills.

GeneralValue 1.8Jan 6, 2026Taikonauts Prepare for Lunar Missions via Six-Day Cave Training Exercise

Shenzhou-21 launched on October 31, 2025 with Commander Zhang Lu, Flight Engineer Wu Fei, and Payload Expert Zhang Hongzhang, and docked with Tiangong about three hours after launch.

PlanCapabilityGovernanceValue 4.0Jan 1, 2026China Continues Space Progress Through 2025

The Shenzhou-20 crew returned to Earth aboard the Shenzhou-21 spacecraft on November 14, 2025 due to the Shenzhou-20 window damage.

GeneralPlanValue 3.8Jan 1, 2026China Continues Space Progress Through 2025

The original experiment aimed for conception in microgravity, but fertilization actually occurred on the ground after the Shenzhou-21 mice's return.

GeneralValue 2.6Dec 30, 2025Two of the Shenzhou-21 mice have given birth to a litter of 9 pups (6 surviving). While the original experiment aimed for conception in microgravity, fertilization actually occurred on the ground after their return. These pups will now provide vital data for biomedical and life science research.

The Shenzhou-21 crew utilized electroencephalography equipment for cognitive monitoring studies.

CapabilityGeneralValue 3.0Dec 28, 2025Taikonauts Support Plant and Materials Experiments, Space-Flown Mice Reproduce

The Shenzhou-21 crew has been in orbit for two months.

GeneralValue 3.0Dec 28, 2025Taikonauts Support Plant and Materials Experiments, Space-Flown Mice Reproduce

The Shenzhou-21 taikonauts conducted a spacewalk three weeks prior to the report.

GeneralValue 3.0Dec 28, 2025Taikonauts Support Plant and Materials Experiments, Space-Flown Mice Reproduce

The Shenzhou-21 crew conducted sample collection using scientific gloves last week.

CapabilityValue 2.8Dec 28, 2025Taikonauts Support Plant and Materials Experiments, Space-Flown Mice Reproduce

Four mice were flown alongside the Shenzhou-21 trio during their launch on October 31st.

GeneralValue 2.0Dec 28, 2025Taikonauts Support Plant and Materials Experiments, Space-Flown Mice Reproduce

The Shenzhou-22 spacecraft launched without a crew on 25 November to rescue the Shenzhou-21 crew.

PlanGeneralValue 4.0Dec 20, 2025The Chinese Academy of Sciences' Space Program