18.03.2026

Shenzhou-21 astronauts complete second series of extravehicular activities

This screen image captured at Beijing Aerospace Control Center on March 16, 2026 shows Shenzhou-21 astronauts performing extravehicular activities (EVAs) outside China's orbiting space station. The Shenzhou-21 crew aboard China's orbiting space station completed their mission's second series of EVAs on Monday, according to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA). The astronaut trio -- Zhang Lu, Wu Fei and Zhang Hongzhang -- worked for roughly seven hours and completed their tasks at 7:35 p.m. (Beijing Time), assisted by the space station's robotic arm and a team on Earth. The trio completed the installation of a space debris protection device for the space station along with other tasks. Zhang Lu and Wu Fei, who have conducted spacewalk operations, returned to the Wentian lab module safely, according to the CMSA. (Photo by Zhang Fan/Xinhua)

The Shenzhou-21 crew aboard China's orbiting space station completed their mission's second series of extravehicular activities (EVAs) on Monday, according to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA).

The astronaut trio -- Zhang Lu, Wu Fei and Zhang Hongzhang -- worked for roughly seven hours and completed their tasks at 7:35 p.m. (Beijing Time), assisted by the space station's robotic arm and a team on Earth.

Zhang Lu has so far carried out six EVAs, making him one of the Chinese astronauts with the most spacewalks to date.

The trio completed the installation of a space debris protection device for the space station along with other tasks. Zhang Lu and Wu Fei, who have conducted spacewalk operations, returned to the Wentian lab module safely, according to the CMSA.

Since completing the first series of EVAs on Dec. 9, 2025, the Shenzhou-21 crew has carried out equipment inspection and maintenance, environmental monitoring, and health management aboard the space station. The crew members have also conducted in-orbit training exercises, including rendezvous and docking, medical rescue, and emergency lifesaving.

The scientific experiment and test projects they undertook, covering space life science and human research, microgravity physics, and new space technologies, have been progressing steadily. They also celebrated the Spring Festival in Year of the Horse while in orbit.

The CMSA said the three astronauts have been working in orbit for more than four months. According to the mission plan, additional EVAs will be carried out by the crew during the Shenzhou-21 mission, with relevant scientific experiments and technical tests continuing as scheduled.

This screen image captured at Beijing Aerospace Control Center on March 16, 2026 shows Shenzhou-21 astronauts performing extravehicular activities (EVAs) outside China's orbiting space station. The Shenzhou-21 crew aboard China's orbiting space station completed their mission's second series of EVAs on Monday, according to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA). The astronaut trio -- Zhang Lu, Wu Fei and Zhang Hongzhang -- worked for roughly seven hours and completed their tasks at 7:35 p.m. (Beijing Time), assisted by the space station's robotic arm and a team on Earth. The trio completed the installation of a space debris protection device for the space station along with other tasks. Zhang Lu and Wu Fei, who have conducted spacewalk operations, returned to the Wentian lab module safely, according to the CMSA. (Photo by Zhang Fan/Xinhua)

Quelle: Xinhua

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Update: 18.04.2026

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Shenzhou-21 astronauts complete third series of extravehicular activities

This screen image captured at Beijing Aerospace Control Center on April 16, 2026 shows Shenzhou-21 astronaut Wu Fei performing extravehicular activities (EVAs) outside China's orbiting space station. (Photo by Zhang Fan/Xinhua)

The Shenzhou-21 crew aboard China's orbiting space station completed their mission's third series of extravehicular activities (EVAs) on Friday, according to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA).

The astronaut trio -- Zhang Lu, Wu Fei and Zhang Hongzhang -- worked for roughly 5.5 hours and completed their tasks at 1:36 a.m. (Beijing Time), assisted by the space station's robotic arm and a team on Earth. They completed the installation of space debris protection equipment and the inspection of extravehicular equipment.

Zhang Lu and Wu Fei, who conducted spacewalk operations, returned safely to the Wentian lab module.

To date, Zhang Lu has conducted 7 extravehicular activities, setting a new record for the most spacewalks by a Chinese astronaut.

The CMSA disclosed that since the second EVAs on March 16, the Shenzhou-21 astronauts have been steadily advancing their experimental missions in space life science, human body research, and microgravity physics.

They have continued to conduct station environmental monitoring, equipment inspection and maintenance, and supply organization. The crew has also completed full-system pressure emergency drills, in-orbit emergency rescue training, and EVAs preparations.

To date, the three astronauts have been in orbit for over five months, and are in good working and living conditions.

After a thorough analysis and evaluation, the CMSA plans to extend the in-orbit stay of the Shenzhou-21 crew by approximately one month, so as to further verify the technologies regarding the long-term stay of astronauts in orbit and fully use the supplies delivered by the Shenzhou-22 spacecraft in an emergency launch. ■

This screen image captured at Beijing Aerospace Control Center on April 16, 2026 shows Shenzhou-21 astronaut Wu Fei performing extravehicular activities (EVAs) outside China's orbiting space station. (Photo by Zhang Fan/Xinhua)

This screen image captured at Beijing Aerospace Control Center on April 16, 2026 shows Shenzhou-21 astronaut Wu Fei performing extravehicular activities (EVAs) outside China's orbiting space station. (Photo by Zhang Fan/Xinhua)

This screen image captured at Beijing Aerospace Control Center on April 16, 2026 shows Shenzhou-21 astronaut Wu Fei performing extravehicular activities (EVAs) outside China's orbiting space station. (Photo by Zhang Fan/Xinhua)

This screen image captured at Beijing Aerospace Control Center on April 16, 2026 shows Shenzhou-21 astronauts Wu Fei (L) and Zhang Lu preparing to perform extravehicular activities (EVAs) outside China's orbiting space station. (Photo by Zhang Fan/Xinhua)

Quelle: Xinhua