China’s Youngest Astronaut Launches Shenzhou-21 with 4 Black Mice to Space Station

COLOMBO(News 1st); China’s Shenzhou-21 successfully lifted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre, carrying three astronauts—including 32-year-old Wu Fei, the youngest Chinese astronaut ever—and four black mice for experiments on microgravity and reproduction. The crew will spend six months aboard the Tiangong space station, taking over from Shenzhou-20.

The mission features first-time astronauts Wu Fei and 39-year-old Zhang Hongzhang, alongside veteran commander Zhang Lu, 48, who previously flew on Shenzhou-15 in 2022. 

This marks China’s seventh mission to the permanently crewed Tiangong station, highlighting rapid astronaut training, bi-annual launches, and growing scientific capabilities. The mission also underscores China’s expanding presence in the space race amid ongoing U.S. and international lunar exploration efforts.