[REVISION HISTORY]

China's Shenzhou-23 mission and Tiangong station operations

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2026-09-12 11:47 UTC → 2026-09-20 15:24 UTC · added ~~removed~~

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. ~~Scientific and health management activities continue~~ By 20 September 2026, having completed nearly four months in orbit, the crew expanded their scientific research to include ~~EEG testing, bone metabolism research,~~ the spatial interaction between viruses and ~~psychological assessments.~~ immune metabolism.

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