Anna Hartz
China Accelerates Space Station Missions with New Record
Space travel is becoming faster and more routine, but reaching a space station from Earth is still an impressive feat.
Flight times vary depending on the spacecraft, orbit, and mission plan. Recently, China set a new record for reaching its Tiangong space station.
Record Cut Almost in Half
The Shenzhou-21 spacecraft reached the station just 3.5 hours after liftoff from the Gobi Desert, reports WP. This cuts the previous record almost in half, which was 6.5 hours.
Three astronauts were on board the mission. The team leader, Zhang Lu, had previously visited the station as part of the Shenzhou-15 mission.
The other crew members were Zhang Hongzhang and Wu Fei, who at 32 is the youngest astronaut in China’s corps.
Arrival at the Station
Upon arrival, the Shenzhou-21 crew met the Shenzhou-20 mission team on the station.
They handed over control of the station and began preparations for their journey back to Earth. Meanwhile, Shenzhou-21 astronauts began their six-month mission aboard Tiangong.
Scientific Experiments
The crew will carry out more than twenty scientific experiments. These include studies in biology, materials science, and space medicine.
Four specially trained mice also flew to the station. They will be returned to Earth with the Shenzhou-20 crew after experiments on the effects of microgravity.
The mice were chosen from a pool of 300 candidates, according to Chinese space agency officials.
Doubling Its Size
The Tiangong station is a major part of China’s space program. There are already plans to double its size in the coming years. Rumors suggest the next manned mission, Shenzhou-22, may include a Chinese astronaut staying in orbit for a full year.
Broader Ambitions
China’s achievements with Shenzhou-21 show its growing presence in low Earth orbit. They also highlight the country’s broader ambitions in space.
Officials are planning a manned lunar mission by 2030. The record-setting flight to Tiangong demonstrates not only speed and efficiency but also the advanced technology supporting China’s space exploration goals.
A Major Player in Space
The Shenzhou-21 mission marks another step in China’s effort to establish itself as a major player in space.
With faster transit times, longer missions, and new experiments, China is steadily building its capabilities in orbit and preparing for future milestones, including longer stays and missions beyond Earth.
