China youngest astronaut mice space station
China has launched its latest crewed mission, sending three astronauts and four laboratory mice to its orbital station in a major step for its space programme. The mission launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre and successfully docked with the Tiangong (“Heavenly Palace”) space station in just about 3.5 hours, setting a new national speed record.
The crew consists of veteran astronaut Zhang Lu (48) as mission commander, along with first-time flyers Wu Fei (32) and Zhang Hongzhang (39). Wu Fei becomes the youngest astronaut China has sent into space.
Alongside the human crew, the mission has included four black mice (two male, two female) to serve as the first small mammals China has sent to the Tiangong station. These mice will be used in experiments examining reproduction, behaviour and adaptation in microgravity.
The mission, labelled Shenzhou 21, will see the crew remain aboard the station for approximately six months, conducting some 27 scientific experiments in fields such as biotechnology, aerospace medicine and materials science.
This launch underscores China’s growing ambitions in space. The country’s space agency emphasises its firm goal of landing astronauts on the Moon by around 2030, and the Tiangong station is a key component of that effort.
In summary, this mission marks several milestones: China’s youngest astronaut in space, the first time small mammals are onboard its space station, and a significantly faster docking time. Together these developments signal a rapidly advancing phase of China’s independent space programme.
