As 2025 draws to a close, China's Shenzhou-21 crew continues to break new ground in orbital research, conducting a diverse array of experiments aboard the nation's space station. Nearly two months into their six-month mission, Commander Zhang Lu and crewmates Wu Fei and Zhang Hongzhang are demonstrating the full spectrum of China's space capabilities through their specialized roles as pilot, flight engineer, and payload specialist.
Pioneering Biomedical Research
The crew recently completed advanced neuroscience experiments using electroencephalogram (EEG) technology, collecting critical data for metacognitive monitoring and group brain function analysis. These studies aim to enhance understanding of long-term spaceflight's psychological impacts while supporting ground-based medical research.
Botanical Breakthroughs in Microgravity
In the Wentian laboratory module, the team harvested Arabidopsis thaliana samples – a model plant species crucial for studying stem cell regulation in space environments. This research could inform future sustainable life support systems for extended missions.
Physics Innovations Beyond Earth
The taikonauts successfully reconfigured complex fluid dynamics equipment and maintained specialized experimental chambers, enabling continuous microgravity studies. Their work on lithium-ion battery behavior in space environments, led by payload specialist Zhang Hongzhang, promises advancements in energy storage technology for orbital infrastructure.
Regular health monitoring through bone density scans, cardiovascular assessments, and vision tests ensures crew wellbeing while contributing valuable data to China's human spaceflight medical database. As the mission progresses through December 2025, these multidisciplinary efforts underscore China's growing capabilities in sustained orbital research operations.
