China to launch Shenzhou-21 with crew and Pakistani astronaut

China announced the upcoming launch of its Shenzhou-21 crewed mission, which will carry three astronauts and marks a significant step in the nation's international space cooperation with Pakistan. The spacecraft is scheduled to lift off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, continuing the expansion of activities aboard the country's orbital space station.

A Pioneering Scientific Mission

The crew, consisting of taikonauts Zhang Lu, Wu Fei, and Zhang Hongzhang, will undertake China's first scientific experiments involving rodent mammals in space. These in-orbit studies on mice are designed to observe the behavioral impacts of space conditions, particularly microgravity and confinement, on living organisms. This research is part of a broader portfolio of 27 new scientific and applied projects scheduled for the mission.

International Collaboration in Space

Highlighting the mission's global dimension, the China Manned Space Agency confirmed plans for a Pakistani astronaut to participate in a separate, short-duration spaceflight. Two Pakistani candidates will undergo training, with one ultimately being selected for the future journey to the Tiangong station, underscoring China's efforts to build international partnerships in space exploration.

Expanding Space Station Capabilities

This launch represents another crucial step in the operational life of China's space station, facilitating advanced research that is difficult or impossible to conduct on Earth. The inclusion of complex biological studies signals the growing sophistication of China's space program and its ambition to play a leading role in the future of space science.