China Launches Shenzhou-21 with First Live Mammals to Space Station

China successfully launched its Shenzhou-21 spacecraft on September 22, 2023, carrying a three-person crew to the Tiangong space station. This mission marks a significant milestone as it includes live mammals for the first time in the country’s space program history. The launch occurred at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, just before midnight local time.

The crew consists of taikonauts Zhang Lu, Wu Fei, and Zhang Hongzhang. Zhang Lu, the commander, has previously traveled to space on the Shenzhou-15 mission. Wu Fei, born in 1993, is notable for being the youngest taikonaut ever sent into space by China. The team will replace the crew from the Shenzhou-20 mission, which has been aboard the space station since its launch on April 24, 2023. The exact return date for the previous crew has not been disclosed.

During their approximately six-month mission, the Shenzhou-21 crew is set to conduct 27 scientific and applied research projects. These projects will span various fields, including space life sciences, biotechnology, space medicine, and microgravity physics. The inclusion of four live mice—two males and two females—marks a historic first for China’s space program. Previously, only fish had been sent into space. The team aims to explore the effects of microgravity on the behavior of these mammals.

China’s ambitious space program has expanded rapidly since its exclusion from the International Space Station initiative, primarily due to concerns from the U.S. government about military control. Under President Xi Jinping, China has made significant strides, manning the Tiangong station since 2021 and announcing plans to invite international participants in future missions.

The China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) has indicated that a Pakistani national will be trained for a short-term mission aboard the Tiangong space station. This initiative follows the signing of a cooperation agreement between China and Pakistan in February 2023. The selection process for candidates is already underway, with plans for logistical support and training programs for the Pakistani participants.

Zhang Jingbo, a spokesperson for the CMSA, stated ahead of the Shenzhou-21 launch, “We welcome international partners to participate in missions aboard our space station.” This collaborative approach aligns with China’s broader goal to be the first nation to land astronauts on the moon since 1972. The CMSA has set an ambitious target to achieve this milestone by 2030, with plans for a lunar base to follow.

China’s efforts in space exploration are complemented by a series of successful unmanned missions, including the recent accomplishment of landing a probe on the far side of the moon. Zhang emphasized that the research and construction of the Tiangong space station is progressing well, reinforcing China’s commitment to its aspirations in space.

As the Shenzhou-21 mission unfolds, the global scientific community will be watching closely, eager to see the results of the research conducted in microgravity and the implications of including live mammals in future space exploration efforts.