China is poised to launch a manned space mission featuring its youngest astronaut along with four lab mice on Friday, October 31. The Shenzhou-21 mission is scheduled to lift off at 11:44 PM local time from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre located in northwest China, according to Zhang Jingbo, a spokesperson for the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA).
The astronauts will be heading to the Tiangong space station, which is expected to be staffed by teams of three astronauts who will rotate every six months. Leading this mission will be veteran space pilot Zhang Lu, who previously participated in the Shenzhou-15 mission over two years ago. He will be joined by payload specialist Zhang Hongzhang and flight engineer Wu Fei, who at 32 years old will become the youngest Chinese astronaut to embark on a space mission to date, according to authorities.
In a unique aspect of this mission, the astronauts will take along four lab mice—two males and two females—to conduct China”s first in-orbit experiments on rodents. These experiments will investigate the effects of weightlessness and confinement on the animals.
Moon Mission Plans for 2030
Zhang Jingbo also emphasized China”s commitment to sending a crewed mission to the Moon by 2030, where the nation plans to establish a base on the lunar surface. “Our fixed goal of China landing a person on the moon by 2030 is firm,” stated the CMSA, outlining a series of essential tests currently underway in preparation. These tests include evaluations of the Lanyue lunar lander and the Mengzhou manned spacecraft.
“Currently, each program of the research and development work of putting a person on the moon is progressing smoothly,” he added, highlighting advancements such as the Long March 10 rocket, lunar landing suits, and exploration vehicles as significant milestones in this ambitious endeavor.
About the Tiangong Space Station
The Tiangong space station, often referred to as the “Heavenly Palace,” represents a cornerstone of China”s space exploration efforts. The nation has poured billions of dollars into this project to enhance its standing in space technology, especially following its exclusion from the International Space Station due to U.S. national security concerns regarding the potential military connections of the Chinese space program.
As China continues to advance its space capabilities, it remains focused on establishing a more significant presence in space exploration, eyeing milestones that could redefine its role on the international stage.
