China’s space program hit another milestone on Oct. 31 with the successful launch of Shenzhou-21. Aboard the rocket were veteran commander Zhang Lu, first-time astronaut Zhang Hongzhang, and Wu Fei, China’s youngest astronaut ever to go to space at 32.

This marks the seventh mission to the Tiangong, or “Heavenly Palace,” space station since it was completed in 2022. The crew will now conduct research and maintenance on Tiangong for six months, taking over from the Shenzhou-20 crew, who are now heading home.

Joining them are four black mice ? the first small mammals brought to the Chinese space station. The animals will be part of experiments studying how reproduction works in microgravity, paving the way for future long-term human missions.

China’s Shenzhou program now launches twice a year and continues to expand its reach with younger astronauts, record-breaking spacewalks, and plans to train its first foreign astronaut from Pakistan. As the United States and China pursue rival lunar programs, their competition is propelling a new era of global space exploration.

Yesel Kang
Copy Editor
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