Four mice that traveled aboard China's space station in late 2025 now bear poetic names chosen by the public: Wangtian ('gaze at the sky'), Lanyue ('reach for the moon'), Zhuiyun ('chase the clouds'), and Zhumeng ('follow the dream'). The names were unveiled at a December 28 science event in Beijing, accompanied by cartoon illustrations developed with Xinhua News Agency.
From Laboratory to Orbit
Selected from 48 candidates, the rodents traveled to the Tiangong space station via the Shenzhou-21 crewed spacecraft on October 31. After 14 days of orbital experiments, they returned safely with the Shenzhou-20 crew on November 14 – a milestone in China's biological research program.
Science Through Storytelling
Dr. Li Tianda of the Chinese Academy of Sciences' Institute of Zoology revealed researchers are analyzing how space conditions affect mammalian stress responses and adaptation. 'These studies could inform long-term human space habitation strategies,' he noted during the event.
The ongoing 'Flying Mice' exhibition at the National Zoological Museum showcases experimental equipment and mission details, running through late January 2026. Jointly organized by CAS institutes, it demonstrates China's efforts to make space science accessible through creative public engagement.
