China’s Shenzhou-21 mission will include the country’s youngest astronaut and four lab mice for orbital rodent experiments
JIUQUAN: China will launch its youngest astronaut to date alongside four laboratory mice on the upcoming Shenzhou-21 mission to the Tiangong space station.
The China Manned Space Agency confirmed the mission will blast off at 11:44 pm on Friday from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China.
Mission commander Zhang Lu will lead payload specialist Zhang Hongzhang and flight engineer Wu Fei on their journey to the orbiting laboratory.
At just 32 years old, Wu Fei will become the youngest Chinese astronaut ever to undertake a space mission.
The spacecraft will also carry four mice for China’s first in-orbit experiments involving rodents.
China’s space station represents the centerpiece of the country’s multi-billion dollar space programme.
The Tiangong station typically hosts rotating crews of three astronauts who remain aboard for six-month periods.
China became the third nation capable of independently launching humans into orbit through its ambitious space efforts.
The programme has achieved significant milestones including robotic rover landings on both Mars and the Moon.
Under President Xi Jinping’s leadership, China has accelerated plans to realize its “space dream” ambitions.
Beijing maintains its goal of sending crewed missions to the Moon by 2030.
The China Manned Space Agency reaffirmed its commitment to establishing a lunar base on the Moon’s surface.
Officials confirmed they are conducting crucial tests of the Lanyue lunar lander and Mengzhou manned spacecraft in preparation for future missions. – AFP
