Video | Multiple Firsts Experienced, Multiple Breakthroughs Achieved! Shenzhou-21 Crew Makes First Public Appearance After Returning Home

Recently, the China Astronaut Research and Training Center held a press meet-and-greet for the Shenzhou-21 crew at Beijing Aerospace City. This marked the first public appearance before media and the general public by the three astronauts — Zhang Lu, Wu Fei, and Zhang Hongzhang — following their return to Earth and completion of quarantine and recuperation.

210 Days! The Shenzhou-21 Crew Sets a New Record for Single-Mission On-Orbit Stay Duration

This mission set a new record for a single crew's on-orbit stay duration of 210 days. During the mission:

The crew successfully completed 3 extravehicular operations;

Completed tasks including inspection photography of the Shenzhou-20 spacecraft's reentry capsule porthole and installation of space debris protection devices on the space station;

Conducted multiple cargo ingress and egress missions;

And, in close coordination with ground-based researchers, completed a large volume of space science experiments and tests in fields including microgravity fundamental physics, space materials science, space life sciences, aerospace medicine, and aerospace technology.

In addition, the crew personally experienced and witnessed several historic moments in the history of China's crewed spaceflight program: the first-ever postponement of a spacecraft's return due to a space debris impact, the first-ever crew return via a different spacecraft, and the first-ever emergency spacecraft launch. They experienced and witnessed the unforgettable moment when the entire crewed spaceflight program — ground and space united in one heart (天地同心、万众一心) — launched an emergency response.

At the press event, the three astronauts recalled their precious experiences during their stay in space and shared their individual unique experiences.

The "Space Apple" Returns Safely! Zhang Lu Brings Back a Special "Gift"

As one of the firsthand participants in China's first space emergency operation, Commander Zhang Lu candidly stated that what struck them most deeply about this space emergency experience was the composure and confidence of Chinese spaceflight — embodying the values of life first and mission success first (生命至上、成功至上), demonstrating the scientific work ethic of being rigorous, careful, meticulous, and precise (严慎细实、精益求精), and exemplifying the spirit of tackling hard challenges together and forging unity of purpose (攻坚克难、众志成城) in a great collaborative effort. Zhang Lu said: "The ground-space emergency response system of China's crewed spaceflight program has been tested in real operations and has passed review by the motherland and its people." Whether in handling the spacecraft's space debris impact, dynamically adjusting the stay duration, executing the crew's return via a different spacecraft, or organizing and implementing the emergency launch, the entire system was interlocked link by link with seamless coordination, constructing an effective safety guarantee for the astronauts on orbit.

Zhang Lu has carried out two flight missions — Shenzhou-15 and Shenzhou-21 — completing a cumulative total of 7 extravehicular operations, breaking the national record for the number of extravehicular activities by an individual Chinese astronaut. He candidly stated that every successful extravehicular excursion is the result of the silent support of tens of millions of aerospace workers, including: underwater training instructors who accompanied them throughout high-intensity water tank simulation training; extravehicular activity support teams who repeatedly rehearsed work procedures and refined contingency plans; and two extravehicular suits that were constant companions day and night — special "comrades-in-arms" guarding their lives.

At the event, Zhang Lu shared the story of the space apple. The apple is the fruit that has been stored the longest on the space station. During the Shenzhou-15 mission, Zhang Lu gave the last apple he had preserved to a crewmate as a birthday gift, bearing witness to the warm camaraderie between crews — to him, the apple is a sweet memory. In this mission, the apple carried more of a meaning of "safe return" (平安). Upon returning, he deliberately brought back an apple he had personally inscribed with the characters "平安" (safe return), expressing the shared wish of all aerospace workers that every mission proceed smoothly and safely.

Ground Developer + On-Orbit Operator: Wu Fei's Special Connection to Spaceflight

Spaceflight engineer Wu Fei has a special connection to spaceflight. Before becoming an astronaut, he participated in the development of the Tianhe core module and the Wentian experiment module, and was one of the earliest researchers to test and maintain the module equipment before the space station went to orbit. Now, operating on orbit with his own hands the equipment he had repeatedly debugged and serviced years ago, he was filled with the warm familiarity of "coming home." "The experience accumulated on the ground has all been transformed into the confidence and assurance for my precise on-orbit operations and calm judgment." Wu Fei expressed with deep feeling that this experience has also filled him with reverence for the aerospace endeavor, because behind every composed operation in space lies the round-the-clock rehearsals, experiments, and vigilance of ground-based researchers.

For his 210-day extended stay, Wu Fei summed up his personal gains with the word "tempering" (淬炼). At the level of individual capability, he unlocked three valuable "space skills": the ability for fine manipulation in a weightless environment, the ability for high-load ground-space coordinated communication, and the ability for rapid on-orbit troubleshooting. In his view, astronauts carry a threefold mission: they are the "scientist's hands" completing space experiments on behalf of scientists; they are the "engineer's eyes" inspecting and maintaining the space station; and they are, even more so, the "pioneer's feet" venturing forth into deep space exploration.

Zhang Hongzhang: Cultivating a "Space Peach Blossom Spring" — Shenzhou-21 Grows Tomatoes and Sweet Potatoes On Orbit

Payload specialist Zhang Hongzhang explained that the microgravity environment of space fundamentally alters the physical laws governing gravity, buoyancy, and fluid convection, differing vastly from ground laboratory conditions and presenting many special challenges for conducting various experiments. The research team completed in advance a full set of refined contingency plan designs. During the mission, the on-orbit experiments and tests achieved multiple domestic technological breakthroughs:

China's first on-orbit aeroponic cultivation of cherry tomatoes and wheat was achieved, validating key technologies including efficient utilization of light spectrum and water-fertilizer management;

China's first on-orbit closed-environment housing of mice in space was achieved, laying a technical foundation for subsequent space mammal experiments.

Beyond the heavy scientific research workload, the crew cultivated on orbit more than ten varieties of crops including naked oats, wheat, sunflowers, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, mint, and lettuce, tending a "Space Peach Blossom Spring" (太空桃花源) above the orbit, imbued with classical Chinese poetic sensibility. These not only validated and refined on-orbit cultivation techniques but also added considerable enjoyment to the high-intensity life in space.

How does one maintain vigorous energy over a long on-orbit stay? Zhang Hongzhang believes that ground support is the foundation, mutual crew assistance is the key, and self-adjustment is the secret. In particular, the profound depth of China's outstanding traditional culture offers many unique insights into regulating body and mind. Before resting each day, Zhang Hongzhang would softly recite classical poetry and practice Tai Chi — through the interplay of stillness and movement, he would calm the nerves wound tight throughout the day, quickly readjust his state, and ensure he could devote himself to work with full energy the following day.

The Shenzhou-21 Crew Encourages Youth Who Have Just Taken the Gaokao: Study Diligently and Act with Conviction, Serve the Motherland

Addressing the younger generation who have just completed the college entrance examination (gaokao) and aspire to serve the country through scientific research, Zhang Hongzhang encouraged them: "As long as you hold in your heart 'the great affairs of the nation' (国之大者), study diligently and act with conviction (勤学笃行), advance steadily, and continuously hone your own abilities, you will ultimately forge a broad path that belongs to you and through which you can serve the motherland, shining and contributing in your own field." The atmosphere throughout the press event was enthusiastic, with all present expressing that they will not forget their original aspirations, will continue to strive, will meet new missions with an even fuller spirit, and will press forward with resolve toward the deeper reaches of space.

According to a relevant official from the China Astronaut Research and Training Center, under the careful care of the research support team at the China Astronaut Center, the Shenzhou-21 crew is in good physical and mental condition; muscle strength, endurance, and cardiopulmonary fitness have basically recovered to pre-flight levels, and they have currently entered the recovery observation phase. After completing the post-mission return recovery health evaluation and summary, they will transition to normal training and work.

(Central Broadcasting Corporation reporters: Tan Lin, Ma Yuchen, Kang Pengcheng, Wang Xiaozun)