China launched its Shenzhou-21 crewed mission aboard a Long March-2F rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre on Friday. The three-person crew, headed by veteran Commander Zhang Lu (48), includes the country's youngest astronaut, Wu Fei (32), and first-timer Zhang Hongzhang (39).
The trio will begin a six-month stay aboard the Tiangong, or "Heavenly Palace," space station, taking over from the Shenzhou-20 crew.
In a unique development, the Shenzhou-21 crew also transported four black mice, marking the first time small mammals have been taken to the Chinese space station.
These mice will be used for reproduction experiments in low Earth orbit. The frequent launches and rapid technological advances, including plans to send a Pakistani astronaut next year, are fueling competition with the U.S., which is racing to put an astronaut back on the moon.
Comment
