BEIJING — Three Chinese astronauts have safely returned to Earth after spending nearly seven months aboard China’s Tiangong space station, marking another milestone in the country’s ambitious space programme as it pushes toward a crewed lunar landing by 2030.
The crew of the Shenzhou-21 mission touched down at the Dongfeng landing site in China’s northern Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region on Friday after completing a successful mission that lasted approximately 210 days in orbit. The astronauts — Zhang Lu, Wu Fei and Zhang Hongzhang — were reported to be in good health following their return.
Their homecoming came days after they completed a crew handover with the newly arrived Shenzhou-23 team, ensuring the continued operation of the Tiangong space station. During the transition, the departing astronauts transferred scientific data, supplies and operational responsibilities to their successors.
The mission was particularly significant for commander Zhang Lu, who set a new national record for spacewalks by a Chinese astronaut. Zhang has now completed seven extravehicular activities across his spaceflight career, the highest number recorded by a Chinese taikonaut.
During their stay aboard Tiangong, the crew conducted a range of scientific experiments and technology demonstrations in areas including space medicine, biotechnology and microgravity research. The mission also included several spacewalks and routine maintenance activities aimed at supporting the long-term operation of China’s orbiting laboratory.
The successful completion of Shenzhou-21 comes as China accelerates preparations for a crewed mission to the Moon. Chinese officials have repeatedly stated their goal of landing astronauts on the lunar surface by 2030, a programme that includes the development of new spacecraft, heavy-lift rockets and lunar landing systems.
China’s Tiangong space station, which has been continuously occupied since 2021, remains central to those ambitions. The station serves as a platform for scientific research and technology testing while providing Chinese astronauts with experience in long-duration spaceflight.
The return of the Shenzhou-21 crew underscores China’s growing capabilities in human spaceflight and highlights the country’s determination to become a leading space power in the coming decade.