China's Shenzhou-21 crew will conduct its first extravehicular activity (EVA) since boarding the space station, the China Manned Space Agency announced on Thursday.

Since entering the space station on November 1, the three astronauts have completed a series of tasks in orbit, including the handover with their predecessors – the Shenzhou-20 crew members – maintenance and inspection of the station, emergency supply checks and sorting, daily life support, and health assessments. 

Astronauts Zhang Lu, Wu Fei and Zhang Hongzhang also conducted a full-system emergency pressure drill, on-orbit robotic arm training, and continued steady progress on multiple space science experiments.

The Shenzhou-21 crew also welcomed the arrival of the uncrewed Shenzhou-22 spacecraft, completing product-compatibility tests and organizing delivered supplies, the agency said.

It also confirmed that the three Shenzhou-21 crew members are in good health and the space station is operating smoothly, ready for the upcoming spacewalk.