Shenzhou-21 astronauts meet media after record 210‑day mission

China’s Shenzhou‑21 crew – astronauts Zhang Lu, Wu Fei and Zhang Hongzhang – held a press conference on August 5, their first public appearance after completing a 210‑day stay aboard the Tiangong space station. The mission set a new single‑crew record for the longest on‑orbit duration and included several firsts for China’s human‑spaceflight program, such as a spacecraft being struck by orbital debris that delayed the return, a crew‑swap return using a different vehicle, and an emergency launch.

During the flight the crew performed three spacewalks, captured high‑definition images of damage to the Shenzhou‑20 orbital module’s window, and tested a new EVA suit (Suit E). All three astronauts are reported to be in good health and will resume normal training after medical assessments.