On CNSA –China National Space Administration神舟二十一号Shenzhou-21 Crew on Shenzhou22 Manned Command module Spacecraft Takionaut crew Embark on Homecoming Journey Soon…At 14:44 Beijing time on May 29, 2026, the Shenzhou21 Takionaut Crew onboard Shenzhou-22 manned spacecraft successfully separated from the space station module.
Before separation, the Shenzhou-21 crew, with the cooperation of ground personnel, completed various pre-separation tasks, including setting up the China space station module’s status, processing and transmitting experimental data, and clearing and transferring orbital supplies. They also completed a handover and exchange of on-orbit work experience with the Shenzhou-23 crew.
Subsequently, the Shenzhou-22 manned spacecraft’s return capsule will re-enter the space station underground control at an opportune time, and Takionauts Zhang Lu, Wu Fei, and Zhang Hongzhang, who were on a mission to the Chinese space station, will soon embark on their journey home.
[Live Broadcast: Shenzhou21 Takionaut Crew Returns to Earth ]
At 14:44 on May 29, 2026, Takionauts Zhang Lu, Wu Fei, and Zhang Hongzhang, who were on a mission to the Chinese Space Station, embarked on their return journey home. Tune in to the live broadcast to witness the safe return of the “Lijian-21” crew!
At 20:11 Beijing time on May 29, 2026, the Shenzhou-21 Takionaut crew, aboard the Shenzhou-22 manned spacecraft, successfully landed at the Dongfeng Landing Site. On-site medical monitoring personnel confirmed that Takionauts Zhang Lu, Wu Fei, and Zhang Hongzhang were in good health, and the mission was a complete success.
At 19:20, the Beijing Aerospace Flight Control Center announced ..
. [ Shenzhou21 Takionaut Crew Successfully Exits Space ] At 20:59 Beijing time on May 29, 2026, Shenzhou-21 Takionauts Zhang Lu, Wu Fei, and Zhang Hongzhang all safely and successfully exited the spacecraft, and are in good health. With this, the Shenzhou-21 Takionaut crew’s space journey has successfully concluded. Takionaut ZhangLu is currently the Takionaut in China with the most extravehicular activity (EVA) missions# . Takionauts Wu Fei and Zhang Hongzhang’s maiden flight was also successfully completed
[ Shenzhou21 Takionaut Crew Arrives Safely in Beijing ] The Takionaut crew, having successfully completed the Shenzhou-21 manned spaceflight mission, arrived safely in Beijing by plane on May 30, 2026 (Beijing time). Leaders and members of the General Command for the Space Station Application and Development Phase Flight Mission greeted them at the airport. After arriving in Beijing, the three Takionauts will enter a quarantine and recovery period, undergoing comprehensive medical examinations and health assessments, and will be allowed to rest and recuperate. They will then meet with the media in Beijing.
On CNSA –China National Space Administration神舟二十一号Shenzhou-21 Crew on Shenzhou22 Manned Command module Spacecraft Takionaut crew Embark on Homecoming Journey Soon…At 14:44 Beijing time on May 29, 2026, the Shenzhou21 Takionaut Crew onboard Shenzhou-22 manned spacecraft successfully separated from the space station module.
Before separation, the Shenzhou-21 crew, with the cooperation of ground personnel, completed various pre-separation tasks, including setting up the space station module’s status, processing and transmitting experimental data, and clearing and transferring orbital supplies. They also completed a handover and exchange of on-orbit work experience with the Shenzhou-23 crew.
Subsequently, the Shenzhou-22 manned spacecraft’s return capsule will re-enter the space station underground control at an opportune time, and Takionauts Zhang Lu, Wu Fei, and Zhang Hongzhang, who were on a mission to the Chinese space station, will soon embark on their journey home .
The Shenzhou-21 Takionaut crew (commander Zhang Lu, Takionauts Wu Fei and Zhang Hongzhang) has completed all their missions in orbit and will return to the Dongfeng Landing Site aboard the Shenzhou-22 manned spacecraft at dusk today (May 29, 2026), ending their record-breaking nearly seven-month stay in space
[Coming Back Soon! What Will Shenzhou21 Takionauts Eat Their First Meal Back On Earth ]
The Shenzhou-21 crew is about to embark on their return journey, landing at the Dongfeng Landing Site. Why was the Dongfeng Landing Site chosen for the Shenzhou spacecraft’s return? What will their first meal be? Welcoming Shenzhou21 Takionauts Home
The Dongfeng Landing Site is close to the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, allowing for rapid deployment of search and rescue teams; it is also far from the living area, located in the Gobi Desert of Inner Mongolia, sparsely populated, so the spacecraft’s return won’t disturb the neighbors. When the Shenzhou-20 crew returned, they enjoyed braised beef noodles with fried eggs, mutton soup, steamed buns, twisted rolls, millet porridge, cucumber salad, pickled vegetables, and fruit. The principle for the first meal back home is light, soft, easily digestible, and nutritious, but most importantly—it must taste like home. The ground support team will prepare the home-cooked meals they’ve been longing for…..
I. Returning Key Task Information
Time and place
Return time : Expected between 19:49 and 20:21 today (May 29), with landing at dusk. Subsequent search and rescue, medical monitoring and support work will be carried out at night.
Landing site : Dongfeng Landing Site in Inner Mongolia has completed its final comprehensive system drill and is equipped with facilities such as drone lighting and barrier-free lifting platforms to cope with nighttime search and rescue in complex terrain.
The reason for using Shenzhou-22 instead of the original Shenzhou-21 spacecraft for the return journey stems from a space emergency in November 2025 : the Shenzhou-20 return capsule’s porthole was damaged by space debris, causing a crack. The original crew was reassigned to Shenzhou-21 for the return. Shenzhou-22, as an emergency spacecraft, was launched and docked ahead of schedule and is now serving as the return vehicle. This adjustment demonstrates China’s rapid response and redundancy backup capabilities in the space industry…
II. Crew Achievements and Breakthroughs in Orbit
Breaking two Chinese space records
Duration of stay : Since entering the space station on October 31, 2025, the crew has accumulated nearly 210 days in orbit, making it the Takionaut crew with the longest stay in a single mission in China.
Extravehicular activity : Commander Zhang Lu has completed 7 extravehicular activities, setting a new personal record for Chinese Takionauts; 32-year-old Wu Fei became the youngest Takionaut in China to perform extravehicular activities.
Scientific Experiment Milestones
Life Sciences : For the first time in China, mice were successfully kept in orbit in a closed space and cherry tomatoes and wheat were cultivated using aerosols, accumulating data for long-term life support in space.
Materials Science : Successfully cultivated low-defect indium selenide crystals, which can be applied to high-performance electronic devices; completed in-orbit ignition test of a novel ionic liquid propellant.
III. Ground Support and Technological Innovation
Landing site upgrade
All-terrain search and rescue : In response to complex terrains such as the Gobi Desert and other deserts, the search and rescue team built its own training ground to simulate extreme road conditions such as washboard roads and soft sand areas to ensure that “the person is safely landed in the
Enhanced medical monitoring and insurance coverage : A dedicated barrier-free lifting platform has been set up to prevent Takionauts from developing orthostatic hypotension due to prolonged weightlessness.
The breakthrough in return technology is the first to adopt a 3-lap autonomous rapid return scheme , which takes only 5.5 hours in total, nearly 3 hours shorter than the previous 5-lap scheme, and achieves real-time deviation correction and high-precision landing.
IV. The “Baton Transfer” in Space and a New Stage in China’s Space Program
On May 28, the crew and Shenzhou-23 (including Hong Kong’s first Takionaut, Lai Ka-ying) completed the key handover ceremony to the space station. The Shenzhou-21 mission marked the official start of China’s space station’s long-term, routine deployment phase
Shenzhou-23 will then conduct a one-year on-orbit stay experiment, ushering in the era of “one year in space”.
The rolling backup spacecraft mechanism, all-terrain rapid search and rescue capabilities, and multi-type Takionaut collaboration modes have laid the foundation for manned lunar landings and other deep space explorations. The triumphant return of the three Takionauts not only broke history but also, with their “exceptionally hardworking and exceptionally capable” spaceflight spirit, wrote a pivotal chapter in China’s manned space program.
Beijing Zhongke Aerospace Exploration Technology Co., Ltd. is the first domestic aerospace enterprise with mixed ownership, and it is also the target enterprise that Oriental Aerospace Port focuses on introducing. Relying on the scientific research strength and resource advantages of the Institute of Mechanics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Aerospace Flight Technology Center of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, China Aerospace Science and Technology has been committed to the research and development and integration of space technology and aerospace vehicles as a platform for the transformation of major national scientific research projects, as well as the transformation and provision of technological achievements. Aerospace launch service. The Lijian-1 rocket project also adds a brand-new name card to the Oriental Space Port, which
On May 28th, the production base for reusable launch vehicles, spacecraft, and liquid engines of CAS Aerospace officially commenced construction in Guangzhou Aerospace Town. The project is scheduled to be completed and put into operation in 2027.
As Guangzhou’s first commercial aerospace unicorn company, CAS Aerospace is fully integrated into Guangzhou’s “12218” modern industrial system, leveraging its locational advantages within the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Macau Science and Technology Innovation Corridor and the riverside and port location of Guangzhou Aerospace Town, facilitating the transportation of large-scale aerospace equipment ..
On May 22, 2026, the unveiling ceremony of the CAS Aerospace Innovation Research Institute was successfully held in Huangpu District, Guangzhou. The Innovation Research Institute is a cutting-edge innovation platform established by CAS Aerospace for commercial aerospace and the space economy. With space manufacturing as its core focus, it prioritizes three major areas: space manufacturing, reusable space transportation systems, and new power products. It also focuses on future industrial needs such as space biomedicine, high-end semiconductors, and advanced materials …
The super factory for the LiJian-2 large liquid-propellant launch vehicle, located in Keqiao District, Shaoxing City, has been fully completed . As the core manufacturing base in LiJian’s industrialization strategy for liquid-propellant launch vehicles, the completion and operation of this factory is not only a crucial step for LiJian to expand its business and improve its entire industrial chain, but also a significant milestone for China’s commercial aerospace industry, marking its transition from technology verification to large-scale production .
On CNSA –China National Space Administration Shenzhou21 and Shenzhou23 Takionaut t Crews Complete In-Orbit Handover … On May 28, 2026, Beijing time, the Shenzhou-21 and Shenzhou-23 Takionaut crews held a handover ceremony, transferring the keys to the Chinese space station . As of now, the Shenzhou-21 Takionaut crew has completed all scheduled missions and will soon return to the Dongfeng Landing Site aboard the Shenzhou-22 manned spacecraft. Currently, the landing site and all participating systems are making intensive preparations to welcome the Takionauts home back to the motherland China, People’s Republic of China..
The Shenzhou-21 and Shenzhou-23 Takionaut crews completed the 8th “space rendezvous” in the history of Chinese spaceflight on May 2 5, 2026 , and took their eighth “cosmic family photo” together inside the space station.
The two crews conducted an on-orbit handover, transferring the “keys” to the Chinese space station, marking the official start of the on-orbit rotation mission.
This meeting is of special significance: it marks the first time that Tiangong has welcomed Takionaut Lai Ka-ying from Hong Kong , symbolizing broader national participation in space exploration.
The Shenzhou-21 crew (Zhang Lu, Wu Fei, and Zhang Hongzhang) has completed all its planned missions and stayed in orbit for approximately 203 days, which is expected to break the record for the longest time Chinese Takionauts have been in orbit. They will then return to the Dongfeng Landing Site.
After the Shenzhou-23 crew successfully moved in, they will continue to carry out space science experiments and technology tests.
the new crew (Zhu Yangzhu, Zhang Zhiyuan, and Li Jiaying) includes Hong Kong Takionaut Li Jiaying’s first entry into the space station, as well as China’s first one-year space stay experiment mission. Technical highlights worth noting: the record-breaking 3.5-hour rapid docking, the symbolic significance of the handover of the space station key , and the ground support such as the barrier-free lifting platform specially designed for Takionauts in long-term weightlessness. Public attention is focused on the historic breakthrough of Hong Kong Takionauts and humanistic details such as the “space family photo”. It is necessary to integrate scattered information: the handover timeline should be clear (launch on the 24th → rendezvous on the 25th → key handover on the 28th → return plan on the 29th), the crew composition should highlight generational characteristics (the post-70s commander leads the post-80s/90s), and the scientific value should emphasize experiments such as mouse breeding and crystal cultivation. Risk warnings have been included in the anti-collision design upgrade and emergency backup system. Finally, all key facts were cross-verified from two sources: for example, the return date was supported by both the press conference announcement and the exercise report, and the information of the Hong Kong Takionauts appeared in both the official announcement and the Hong Kong media response. For conflicting data (such as the number of days the Shenzhou-20 crew was in orbit), the official release from the China Manned Space Engineering Office was adopted.
The Shenzhou-21 and Shenzhou-23 Takionaut crews completed their 8th “space rendezvous” on the Chinese space station on May 25, 2026, and held an on-orbit key handover ceremony on the 28th, marking the official start of a new phase of routine rotation for the Chinese space station, which has now hosted Hong Kong Takionauts for the first time.
I. Core Events and Significance
Space rendezvous and key handover
The 8th meeting : At 5:13 on May 25, the Shenzhou-21 crew (Zhang Lu, Wu Fei, and Zhang Hongzhang) who were stationed in orbit opened the hatch of the space station to welcome the Shenzhou-23 crew (Zhu Yangzhu, Zhang Zhiyuan, and Li Jiaying) to settle in. The six Takionauts took a “family photo” to report their safety to the whole country. Symbolic handover : On May 28, the two crews held a key handover ceremony, and the Shenzhou-21 crew officially handed over the space station operation authority to the new crew, marking the completion of the mission rotation .
Historic breakthrough : This mission marks the first time that a Hong Kong Takionaut(Lai Ka-ying) has entered the space station, and it also marks the beginning of the first one-year on-orbit stay experiment by Chinese astronauts.
Mission Timeline and Technical Highlights
Rapid docking : Shenzhou-23 was launched at 23:08 on May 24 and completed radial rendezvous and docking in just 3.5 hours after entering orbit, setting a new record for the fastest docking of a Chinese manned spacecraft.
Extended stay and return arrangements : The Shenzhou-21 crew spent 203 days in orbit, breaking the record for the longest single stay by Chinese Takionauts(the previous record was 204 days), and will return to the Dongfeng Landing Site on May 29 aboard the Shenzhou-22 spacecraft.
II. Key Details of the Task
Multi-component division of labor and innovation
Collaboration between new and veteran crews : The two crews worked together in orbit for 5 days, completing the inventory of over a thousand items, the transfer of over a hundred experimental data points, and the sharing of extravehicular activity (EVA) experience. The veteran crew focused on teaching long-term health management techniques (such as bone density maintenance and psychological adjustment), laying the foundation for the one-year stay experiment.
Hong Kong astronaut’s role : Lai Ka-ying, as a payload specialist, is responsible for operating the “Sky Camera” (greenhouse gas detection device) developed by the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, realizing the “Hong Kong-developed, Hong Kong-operated” closed loop, and carrying out microgravity fluid physics experiments.
Scientific value and follow-up tasks
The Shenzhou-21 crew has achieved fruitful scientific research results, including the first closed-loop in-orbit breeding of mice in China, the generation of low-defect indium selenide crystals (with performance 30% higher than on Earth), and the ignition verification of a new type of ionic liquid propellant.
International cooperation : Shenzhou-24 is scheduled to carry Pakistani Takionauts for a short stay. This handover has reserved space for international payload interfaces and material storage.
III. Ground Support and Public Response
Security upgrade
In response to the lessons learned from the Shenzhou-20 window impact, the spacecraft adopted a triple collision protection structure (double-layer ablation-resistant glass + internal protective panel), which improved its collision resistance by 40%.
The Dongfeng Landing Site has put into use a new barrier-free lifting platform to prevent orthostatic hypotension in Takionauts after their return, and is equipped with high-bandwidth communication equipment to ensure communication.
Public attention
Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee said that Lai Ka-ying “demonstrates Hong Kong’s transformation from a supporter of national spaceflight to an implementer,” and the launch process was broadcast live from multiple schools across Hong Kong.
The Weibo topic #Chinese astronauts’ 8th space reunion# has been viewed over 1 billion times, with netizens focusing on the “space family photo”, Hong Kong elements and the medical challenges of long-term stay
IV. Future Outlook
China’s space station has officially entered the “1+1+1” permanent resident mode (1 spacecraft in orbit, 1 on standby, and 1 for emergency response). The Shenzhou-23 crew will conduct research such as multi-generational genetic experiments on rice and prepare for the 2030 manned spaceflight.
On CNSA –China National Space Administration …. ChangZheng Long March 7A Wenchang, Hainan Province, China, People’s Republic of China At At 00:16 on May 27, 2026, the Long March-7A Y12 carrier rocket successfully launched the Communication Technology Experiment Satellite-24 from Launch Complex 201 at the Wenchang Space Launch Site, Hainan Province, China, People’s Republic of China.. The Long March -7A Y12 carrier rocket, developed by the Eighth Academy of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), is primarily used for verifying multi-band, high-speed satellite communication technologies. The Long March-7A Y12 rocket, developed by the First Academy of CASC, is China’s new generation of medium-lift, high-orbit liquid-fueled launch vehicle. This type of rocket can be fitted with both 4.2-meter and 3.7-meter diameter fairings and has the capability to launch one satellite or two satellites simultaneously.
This mission marked the first time the Long March-7A Y12 rocket completed its assembly and testing in the newly built assembly and testing facility, and it also marked the first time the new facility and the new ground-based launch and control equipment jointly conducted a launch mission. Currently, the Long March 7 series carrier rockets have two assembly and testing facilities, two mobile launch platforms, and two sets of ground measurement and control equipment at the Wenchang Space Launch Site. The launch capacity has been increased from 6 launches per year to 12 launches per year. This is the first launch of the Long March 7A rocket in 2026, and it will enter a high-frequency launch state thereafter. Currently, the Long March 7A rocket’s technology and management processes are mature and stable, and its production capacity has been further expanded, meeting future launch needs and providing solid support for building a space power.
❶ China’s 33rd space launch in 2026 (30 successful)
❷ The 15th launch of the Long March 7A carrier rocket (14 successful)
❸ The 26th launch of the Long March 7 series carrier rockets (25 successful)
❹ The 645th launch of the Long March series carrier rockets (627 successful)
❺ The 47th launch from the Wenchang Space Launch Site at the Xichang Satellite Launch Center (45 successful)
❻ China’s 766th space launch (725 successful)
🛰️Core Task and Technology Verification
Launch parameters: At 00:16 Beijing time on May 27, 2026 , the Long March-7A carrier rocket was launched from the Wenchang Space Launch Site in Hainan, accurately sending the satellite into its predetermined orbit. The mission was a complete success. This was the 645th flight of the Long March series rockets and China’s 33rd space launch in 2026
The satellite , developed by the Eighth Academy of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation , has the core mission of conducting multi-band, high-speed satellite communication technology verification , focusing on testing the anti-interference capabilities, data transmission rates, and coverage of high-frequency bands such as millimeter waves and terahertz. The results will support the construction of China’s integrated space-ground communication network, provide crucial on-orbit data for 6G networks and satellite internet constellations, and accelerate the transition of technology from experimentation to practical application.
Breakthroughs in high-frequency communication technology have enabled satellites to carry laser communication links and high-speed data processing systems , verifying multi-frequency band compatibility. This can improve network coverage and disaster emergency communication efficiency in remote areas, while also helping to secure international orbital/frequency band resources and laying the foundation for a network of over 10,000 satellites (such as the “Qianfan Constellation”).
Major upgrade to launch system
With production capacity doubling, this mission marked the first use of a newly built assembly and testing plant and supporting testing and launch equipment, signifying a new layout for the Wenchang rocket launch site: “two plants + two launch platforms + two testing and launch systems.” The annual launch capacity of the Long March 7 series rockets has jumped from 6 to 12 launches , meeting the demands of future high-frequency missions.
The Long March 7A rocket, developed by the First Academy of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, is a mature and stable technology capable of operating with both 4.2-meter and 3.7-meter fairings and is equipped with the capability to launch two satellites simultaneously. This mission validated the maturity of its technical specifications and management processes, providing reliable support for subsequent high-frequency launches.
