# China's Shenzhou-23 mission and Tiangong station operations > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/china-launches-shenzhou23-crew-beginning-a-yearlong-tiangong-expedition > Updated: 2026-09-20T05:37:40.000Z. Sources: 119. Developments: 21. Launched on 24 May 2026, the Shenzhou-23 mission carries a three-person crew—commander Zhu Yangzhu, pilot Zhang Zhiyuan, and payload specialist Li Jiaying (the first astronaut from Hong Kong)—to the Tiangong space station. The mission includes a planned one-year orbital stay for one crew member to study the effects of prolonged microgravity, supporting China’s goal of a crewed lunar landing by 2030. Following the launch, the Shenzhou-21 crew returned to Earth on 29 May 2026 after a record 210-day mission. Their return via the Shenzhou-22 capsule marked the first time a Chinese crew returned in a different spacecraft than their arrival vehicle, following a debris impact on Shenzhou-21. On 27 August 2026, astronauts Zhu Yangzhu and Zhang Zhiyuan completed their first extravehicular activity (EVA) at the Tiangong station. The 5.5-hour mission, supported by Li Jiaying and the station’s robotic arm, focused on solar panel maintenance and the installation of space debris protective devices. On 9 September 2026, the crew hosted a “Tiangong Classroom” session for students in Hong Kong and Macau. Attended by Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee, the session featured Li Jiaying demonstrating space food technology and the “space garden,” a soil-free cultivation system. On 12 September 2026, further details emerged regarding the session, which was organized jointly by the China Manned Space Agency and the two Special Administrative Regions. The crew demonstrated the operation of MUSICO, a high-precision detector for carbon dioxide and methane developed by the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. The event included live broadcasts to schools across both regions, with students attending in person at Tsuen Wan Public Ho Chuen Yiu Memorial College. By 20 September 2026, having completed nearly four months in orbit, the crew expanded their scientific research to include the spatial interaction between viruses and immune metabolism. ## Claims - The crew reached its 60th day in orbit. (disputed by 6 sources) - The crew consists of astronauts Zhu Yangzhu, Zhang Zhiyuan and Li Jiaying. (disputed by 4 sources) - The crew conducted a study on intestinal microbiome changes caused by long‑duration spaceflight. (corroborated by 4 sources) - The crew performed fine‑motor control tests to study adaptive learning during long‑duration missions. (corroborated by 4 sources) - The crew completed docking approach and rendezvous training exercises in orbit. (corroborated by 4 sources) - CMSA announced a 2026 call for research proposals covering life sciences, microgravity physics and new space technologies, with 23 specific topics. (corroborated by 4 sources) - The crew conducted research on the spatial interaction between viruses and immune metabolism. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The crew replaced the second batch of in-orbit test samples for the debris migration imaging experiment. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The crew took microbial samples from the water dispenser outlet for prevention and control work. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Astronauts completed mass measurements, bone density tests, and ultrasound examinations of various body parts. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The crew used bone loss countermeasure devices to combat the physiological effects of weightlessness. (corroborated by 3 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-20: Shenzhou-23 crew conducts science and health checks in orbit The Shenzhou-23 crew has spent nearly four months aboard China's Tiangong Space Station, conducting virus-immune research, station maintenance, and comprehensive health monitoring. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/shenzhou-23-crew-conducts-science-and-health-checks-in-orbit ### 2026-09-12: Shenzhou-23 astronauts hold live space science lesson for Hong Kong and Macao students Shenzhou-23 astronauts aboard the Tiangong space station held a live science lesson for students in Hong Kong and Macao, demonstrating space experiments and life in orbit. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/shenzhou-23-astronauts-hold-live-space-science-lesson-for-hong-kong-and-macao-students ### 2026-09-09: Shenzhou-23 crew hosts Tiangong Classroom for Hong Kong and Macau students The Shenzhou-23 crew, including Hong Kong's first payload specialist Li Jiaying, held a live “Tiangong Classroom” session from the space station to teach students about space science and technology. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/shenzhou-23-crew-hosts-tiangong-classroom-for-hong-kong-and-macau-students ### 2026-08-27: Shenzhou-23 crew completes first spacewalk at Tiangong station The Shenzhou-23 crew completed a 5.5-hour spacewalk at the Tiangong space station to maintain solar panels and install space debris protection. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/shenzhou-23-crew-completes-first-spacewalk-at-tiangong-station ### 2026-08-23: Shenzhou-23 crew completes nearly three months in space station The Shenzhou-23 crew has completed nearly three months in space, conducting scientific experiments, microbial monitoring, and health assessments to manage the effects of microgravity. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/shenzhou-23-crew-completes-nearly-three-months-in-space-station ### 2026-08-19: China Space Station: Shenzhou 21 crew completes record mission The Shenzhou 21 crew has returned to Earth after a record-breaking 210-day mission at the China Space Station, while the Shenzhou 23 crew continues scientific research in orbit. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/china-space-station-shenzhou-21-crew-completes-record-mission ### 2026-08-09: Shenzhou-23 crew conducts medical and VR experiments in China Space Station The Shenzhou-23 crew is conducting medical, behavioral, and physical science experiments aboard the China Space Station, including ultrasound scans and VR-based behavioral testing. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/shenzhou-23-crew-conducts-medical-and-vr-experiments-in-china-space-station ### 2026-07-28: China's Shenzhou-23 crew marks 60 days in orbit China's Shenzhou-23 crew reaches 60 days in orbit, conducting microbiome, Raman spectrometer and fine‑motor tests, while CMSA launches a 2026 research call with 23 topics. 16 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/chinas-shenzhou-23-spacecraft-completes-60-days-in-orbit ### 2026-07-20: China tests astronaut emotional resilience on long‑duration Tiangong mission China’s Shenzhou‑23 crew on Tiangong completed emotional‑state and emergency‑decision tests; one astronaut will stay a year to study long‑duration effects, alongside radiation, battery and camera experiments. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/china-tests-astronaut-emotional-resilience-on-longduration-tiangong-mission ### 2026-07-18: Shenzhou‑23 crew conducts experiments aboard China's Tiangong space station China's Shenzhou‑23, launched 24 May, has spent almost two months on Tiangong conducting brain‑computer, micro‑gravity, and health experiments, underscoring the country's broader defence‑tech advances. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/shenzhou23-crew-conducts-experiments-aboard-chinas-tiangong-space-station ### 2026-07-13: China's Shenzhou-23 crew conducts new scientific experiments on Tiangong space station China's Shenzhou-23 trio tested a new orbital mass‑measurement device and conducted musculoskeletal and neuro‑ergonomic experiments aboard Tiangong as they near 50 days in space. 12 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/chinas-shenzhou-23-crew-conducts-new-scientific-experiments-on-space-station ### 2026-07-04: NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman Declares U.S. in Space Race with China over Moon NASA chief Jared Isaacman said the U.S. is in a space race with China, targeting a 2028 Moon landing versus China’s 2029 goal, and plans a lunar base by 2027. 12 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/china-and-united-states-accelerate-lunar-race-amid-nasas-2028-artemis-goal ### 2026-06-16: China-US Space Race Intensifies as Shenzhou 23 Launches China's Shenzhou 23 mission and the US Artemis program highlight an escalating space race toward lunar exploration, with extended microgravity studies and upcoming Moon missions. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/chinas-shenzhou-23-mission-intensifies-uschina-space-race ### 2026-06-05: NASA's Artemis 2 lunar flyby sparks Moon‑base vs Mars debate as China launches year‑long Shenzhou 23 mission Artemis 2’s crewed Moon flyby revives the US Moon‑base vs Mars debate, while China’s Shenzhou 23 launches a year‑long stay on Tiangong, advancing its own lunar research plans. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nasas-artemis-2-lunar-flyby-sparks-moonbase-vs-mars-debate-as-china-launches-yearlong-shenzhou-23-mi ### 2026-05-30: China astronauts Wu Fei, Zhang Lu, and Zhang Hongzhang return after record 7‑month spaceflight Chinese astronauts Wu Fei, Zhang Lu and Zhang Hongzhang returned after a record‑seven‑month stay on Tiangong, landing in Inner Mongolia and handing over to the Shenzhou‑23 crew. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/china-astronauts-wu-fei-zhang-lu-and-zhang-hongzhang-return-after-record-7month-spaceflight ### 2026-05-30: China's Shenzhou‑21 crew returns after record 210‑day mission China's three‑person Shenzhou‑21 crew landed safely after a 210‑day Tiangong stay, setting a new record and returning on a different spacecraft following an emergency launch. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/chinas-shenzhou21-crew-returns-after-record-210day-mission ### 2026-05-29: Chinese Shenzhou-21 astronauts return safely after seven‑month mission China’s Shenzhou‑21 crew – Zhang Lu, Wu Fei and Zhang Hongzhang – returned safely on 29 May 2026 after a seven‑month mission launched from Jiuquan on a Long March‑2F rocket. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/chinese-shenzhou-21-astronauts-return-safely-after-sevenmonth-mission ### 2026-05-28: China's Shenzhou‑21 crew lands safely after 210‑day space record China’s Shenzhou‑21 crew—Zhang Lu, Wu Fei and Zhang Hongzhang—landed safely in Inner Mongolia after a 210‑day record stay on Tiangong, handing over to the Shenzhou‑23 crew. 21 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/chinas-shenzhou-21-crew-hands-over-space-station-keys-to-shenzhou-23-mission ### 2026-05-26: China launches Shenzhou-23 for year‑long Tiangong mission China launched Shenzhou-23 on 24 May 2026, sending three astronauts to Tiangong; one will stay for up to a year to study long‑duration spaceflight and aid a planned 2030 lunar landing. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/china-launches-shenzhou-23-for-yearlong-tiangong-mission ### 2026-05-24: China launches Shenzhou-23 mission with year-long crew stay and over 100 experiments China’s Shenzhou-23 launched on 24 May 2026 with three astronauts, including Hong Kong’s first, to conduct a year‑long stay and 100+ experiments on Tiangong’s Tianhe module. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/china-launches-shenzhou-23-mission-with-year-long-crew-stay-and-over-100-experiments ### 2026-05-23: China launches Shenzhou-23 with first Hong Kong astronaut for year-long stay China’s Shenzhou‑23 lifted off on 24 May with commander Zhu Yangzhu, Zhang Zhiyuan and Hong Kong’s first astronaut, Lai Ka‑ying; one crew member will stay a year on Tiangong, advancing China’s 2030 lunar‑land‑​ 31 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/china-launches-shenzhou-23-mission-with-first-hong-kong-astronaut --- Cite as: China's Shenzhou-23 mission and Tiangong station operations. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/china-launches-shenzhou23-crew-beginning-a-yearlong-tiangong-expedition