Three astronauts from China’s Shenzhou 21 mission returned to Earth after spending nearly seven months in orbit, setting a new duration record for Chinese space crews. The spacecraft touched down at the Dongfeng landing site in northern Inner Mongolia, concluding an extensive mission filled with scientific experiments and station operations.
The crew—Zhang Lu, Wu Fei, and Zhang Hongzhang—conducted multiple experiments, data transmissions, and supply transfers during their time aboard the Tiangong space station, which means “Heavenly Palace.” According to Chinese space authorities, the astronauts also shared operations experience with the newly arrived Shenzhou 23 team, who docked at the station days before their return.
Zhang Lu, the mission commander and a veteran of previous spacewalks, completed three spacewalks on this mission alone, bringing his total to seven and making him China’s most experienced spacewalker. The astronauts expressed deep gratitude toward their families, colleagues, and government officials, acknowledging the collective effort behind the mission’s success.
Reflecting on his time in orbit, Zhang Hongzhang highlighted the perspective of Earth from space, describing a sense of global unity and shared destiny for humanity. Meanwhile, the Shenzhou 23 crew, including Zhu Yangzhu, Zhang Zhiyuan, and Lai Ka-ying—the first astronaut from Hong Kong—have begun their mission, with one member set to remain aboard the station for a full year.
China’s space program continues accelerating its ambitions, with aims to land astronauts on the Moon by 2030. The Tiangong station represents a key asset in this effort and functions independently, as China remains excluded from the International Space Station due to U.S. national security concerns. The U.S. plans its own lunar landing missions targeting 2028, positioning both nations as primary competitors in space exploration.