China Unveils Shenzhou-21 Crew and Pakistan Astronaut Plan, Reaffirms 2030 Moon Push

Overview

• Shenzhou-21 is scheduled to launch at 11:44 p.m. Friday Beijing time from Jiuquan with Zhang Lu, Wu Fei, and Zhang Hongzhang for a roughly six‑month Tiangong rotation.
• Wu Fei, 32, will become China’s youngest astronaut to fly, while the crew conducts station upkeep and research after a rapid rendezvous and docking.
• Four mice will be flown for China’s first rodent experiments in orbit, with observations in microgravity and post‑flight analysis after their return to Earth.
• China said two Pakistani candidates will train with its astronaut corps and one will be selected as a payload specialist for a short‑duration Tiangong mission, launching Pakistan’s first human spaceflight participation.
• Officials reported prototype completion for key lunar systems and outlined upcoming tests, targeting a first Long March‑10 and Mengzhou spacecraft flight in 2026 as they hold to a 2030 crewed Moon landing goal.