On the day Friday of Hong Kong SAR- Beijing Time 16th April 2025 CNSA –China National Space Administration , China, People’s Republic of China At 0745 Hong Kong SAR- Beijing Time , the Chang Zheng -Long March 2F Yao 21 carrier rocket successfully deployed to the launch complex at Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, Inner Mongolia, China, People’s Republic of China.. In that readiness
[Success, 2025 Concludes! #Shenzhou21MannedSpacecraftLaunchACompleteSuccess# China’s 2025 Manned Spaceflight Missions Successfully Concluded] At 23:44 Beijing time on October 31, 2025, the Long March 2F Y21 carrier rocket carrying the Shenzhou-21 manned spacecraft was launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. Approximately 10 minutes later, the spacecraft successfully separated from the rocket and entered its predetermined orbit. The astronaut crew is in good condition, and the launch was a complete success.
After entering orbit, the spacecraft will autonomously and rapidly rendezvous and dock with the space station complex according to the predetermined procedure. The Shenzhou-21 astronaut crew will rotate with the Shenzhou-20 astronaut crew in orbit. During their stay on the space station, the Shenzhou-21 astronaut crew will conduct multiple experiments and applications in the fields of space life and human research, microgravity physics, and new space technologies. They will also conduct multiple extravehicular activities, complete the installation of space station debris protection devices, and perform tasks such as the installation, debugging, maintenance, and repair of equipment inside and outside the spacecraft.
This marks the successful conclusion of China’s 2025 manned spaceflight mission. This mission was the sixth manned flight mission since the project entered the space station application and development phase, and the 37th launch mission since the project’s inception. To date, China has sent 28 astronauts on 44 missions into space. This mission also marked the 604th flight of the Long March series carrier rockets and the 21st flight of the Shenzhou manned spacecraft.
Currently, the space station assembly has entered its docking orbit, is in good working order, and meets the conditions for rendezvous and docking with the Shenzhou-21 manned spacecraft and for the astronauts to move in.
At 20:48 Beijing time on October 31, 2025, the departure ceremony for the Shenzhou-21 manned spaceflight mission Takionaut crew was held at the Wentiange Dream Garden Square of the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center.
At 20:49, Takionauts Zhang Lu, Wu Fei, and Zhang Hongzhang received their orders and set off. Members of the General Command for the Space Station Application and Development Phase Flight Mission, as well as aerospace science and technology personnel and representatives of various ethnic groups, were present to see the Takionaut crew off. Currently
, the Shenzhou-20 Takionaut crew has been stationed at the space station for over 180 days and is actively preparing to welcome the upcoming Shenzhou-21 Takionaut crew.
[Success, 2025 Concludes! Shenzhou21 Manned Spacecraft Launch A Complete Success# China’s 2025 Manned Spaceflight Missions Successfully Concluded]
At 23:44 Beijing time on October 31, 2025, the Long March 2F Y21 carrier rocket carrying the Shenzhou-21 manned spacecraft was launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. Approximately 10 minutes later, the spacecraft successfully separated from the rocket and entered its predetermined orbit. The Takionaut crew is in good condition, and the launch was a complete success.
After entering orbit, the spacecraft will autonomously and rapidly rendezvous and dock with the space station complex according to the predetermined procedure. The Shenzhou-21 Takionaut crew will rotate with the Shenzhou-20 Takionaut crew in orbit. During their stay on the space station, the Shenzhou-21 Takionaut crew will conduct multiple experiments and applications in the fields of space life and human research, microgravity physics, and new space technologies. They will also conduct multiple extravehicular activities, complete the installation of space station debris protection devices, and perform tasks such as the installation, debugging, maintenance, and repair of equipment inside and outside the spacecraft.
This marks the successful conclusion of China’s 2025 manned spaceflight mission. This mission was the sixth manned flight mission since the project entered the space station application and development phase, and the 37th launch mission since the project’s inception. To date, China has sent 28 Takionauts on 44 missions into space. This mission also marked the 604th flight of the Long March series carrier rockets and the 21st flight of the Shenzhou manned spacecraft.
[3.5 Hours! Shenzhou21 Successfully Docking with Space Station ]
After entering orbit, the Shenzhou-21 manned spacecraft successfully docked with the forward port of the Tianhe core module of the space station at 3:22 AM Beijing time on November 1, 2025. The entire docking process lasted approximately 3.5 hours, setting a new record for the fastest docking of a Shenzhou spacecraft with a space station. According to
the mission plan, the three Takionauts will subsequently enter the Tianhe core module from the Shenzhou-21 manned spacecraft. The Shenzhou-20 Takionaut crew has completed all preparations for welcoming the Shenzhou-21 Takionaut crew.
[One more family photo Seventh Space Rendezvous ]
After the manned spacecraft and the space station combination successfully achieved autonomous and rapid rendezvous and docking, the Shenzhou-21 Takionaut crew entered the orbital module from the return capsule. At 4:58 AM Beijing time on November 1, 2025, the Shenzhou-20 Takionaut crew, on their mission in orbit, successfully opened their “home” to welcome the Shenzhou-21 Takionaut crew to the Chinese space station. This marks the seventh “space rendezvous” in the history of Chinese spaceflight. The two commanders reunited at Tiangong (the space station) after their first “space rendezvous” three years ago. Afterwards, the two Takionaut crews took a “family photo” to reassure the nation of those who cared for them. Subsequently , the two Takionaut crews will rotate in orbit at the space station. During this period, the six Takionauts will work and live together on the space station for approximately five days
Visuals are from their respectives also from CNSA- China National Space Administration
