China's Shenzhou-23 crew conducts new scientific experiments on Tiangong space station

The three‑member crew of China’s Shenzhou-23 mission—astronauts Zhu Yangzhu, Zhang Zhiyuan and Li Jiaying—successfully tested an upgraded device for measuring mass in orbit aboard the Tiangong space station. In parallel, they carried out a series of life‑science experiments focused on musculoskeletal loading, including plantar‑pressure measurements, biomechanical testing of the lower limbs and tendon‑muscle characterisation during running and resistance exercises under varying loads. The team also performed neuro‑ergonomic studies using near‑infrared functional brain imaging to assess multitasking performance. Ground researchers will analyse the collected data to understand how microgravity affects human cognition and musculoskeletal function. The astronauts continued their daily exercise regimen to mitigate the effects of weightlessness. Launched on 24 May, the Shenzhou‑23 mission includes a planned one‑year orbital stay to gather data for future long‑duration space exploration.