Shenzhou-21 Launch Marks New Leap in China’s Space Program
Beijing: In a bold stride toward its lunar ambitions, China on Friday launched the Shenzhou-21 mission, carrying its youngest astronaut ever and four mice aboard the Tiangong space station. The mission marks another milestone in Beijing’s fast-advancing space program, which aims to land astronauts on the moon by 2030 and eventually build a lunar base to rival U.S. and Russian efforts.
China launches Shenzhou-21 crewed spaceship #SpaceChina pic.twitter.com/0vl7q9RMer
— CGTN (@CGTNOfficial) October 31, 2025
The latest crew includes first-timers Zhang Hongzhang and Wu Fei, 32, who now holds the record as China’s youngest person in space. Commander Zhang Lu, a veteran of previous missions, is leading the team.
For the first time, four small mammals—nicknamed “space mice”—have joined the astronauts to help researchers study how microgravity and isolation affect living beings. Xinhua reported that the mice were chosen from 300 candidates after 60 days of rigorous training.
China launches Shenzhou-21 crewed spaceship for new engineering, scientific breakthroughs.
The Shenzhou-21 crew members — mission commander Zhang Lu, and astronauts Wu Fei and Zhang Hongzhang — will carry out a total of 27 new in-orbit experiments https://t.co/H87LMrHmBg pic.twitter.com/zCES2TIrZH— China Xinhua News (@XHNews) November 1, 2025
During their stay, the crew will conduct 27 experiments spanning biotechnology, space medicine, and materials science.
China developed its Tiangong space station after being barred from the International Space Station, making it the crown jewel of its multibillion-dollar space effort. The Shenzhou-21 launch comes just as SpaceX proposed a plan to NASA to accelerate America’s own lunar return—fueling a renewed global space race.
