Shenzhou-21 Crew Marks Six Months on China's Space Station
Summary: The Shenzhou-21 crew — Zhang Lu, Wu Fei and Zhang Hongzhang — have completed six months aboard China's Tiangong Space Station, releasing a new Vlog during the May Day holiday and continuing experiments in brain-computer interfaces, microgravity physics and rendezvous training.
The three Shenzhou-21 astronauts — Commander Zhang Lu, Wu Fei and Zhang Hongzhang — have been aboard the Tiangong Space Station for six months as of May 3, 2026. The crew marked the milestone during the May Day (International Labor Day) holiday, with the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) releasing a new video on May 3 showcasing their latest scientific work.
Scientific Experiments and Research
The crew has been conducting in-orbit brain-computer experiments using electroencephalogram (EEG) equipment and virtual reality (VR) glasses. According to CMSA, the astronauts performed multiple brain experiment tests including weak-stimulation brain-computer interfaces, microgravity intuitive physics, spatial cooperative coding and regulation studies. Ground-based research teams will analyze data transmitted down from the station.
In the area of psychological and behavioral research, the crew completed executive function training, emergency decision-making assessments and orbital emotional state tests. The indicators collected will be used to evaluate the effectiveness of crew training programs.
In microgravity physical science, the astronauts conducted fluid storage and transport experiments, and completed sample replacements and equipment maintenance for experimental cabinets aboard the station.
Routine Health and Maintenance
During their extended mission, the crew has been routinely maintaining the space station platform while also performing multiple medical examinations including hearing tests and muscle ultrasound scans. The astronauts continue their in-orbit exercise regimen to counteract the effects of long-duration weightlessness.
Rendezvous Training for Upcoming Missions
As part of their preparation for future missions, all three crew members practiced rendezvous and docking using the remote manipulation telerobotic system. This training is directly related to upcoming logistics missions — the Tianzhou-10 cargo spacecraft and Shenzhou-23 crewed spacecraft are expected to arrive at the station later in the mission sequence.
Mission Profile
The Shenzhou-21 crew launched aboard Shenzhou-21 and has been conducting operations aboard Tiangong Space Station. Their planned mission duration is seven months, making this one of China's longest-duration crewed missions to date.