Shenzhou-21 crew advances space experiments five months into mission

The crew of China's Shenzhou-21, astronauts Zhang Lu, Wu Fei and Zhang Hongzhang, has spent more than five months aboard the China Space Station, with mission tasks progressing steadily, according to the latest updates.

Over the past week, the crew carried out a series of scientific experiments and routine operations. In the field of space medicine, they conducted studies on trust and collaboration mechanisms, as well as human-machine interaction in space environments, using laptops and specialized software. They also performed experiments examining brain network activity in microgravity using near-infrared brain imaging equipment.

In microgravity physics, the astronauts completed scheduled tasks including replacing ignition components and sampling covers in the combustion science experiment rack, swapping experiment samples in the fluid physics rack, and cleaning sample chambers and maintaining electrode systems in the containerless experiment facility.

For station management, the crew conducted environmental monitoring such as temperature, airflow and dew point measurements. They also carried out inventory organization, routine cleaning, as well as inspection and maintenance of onboard equipment.

In terms of health maintenance, the astronauts completed a range of medical checks, including 12-lead electrocardiograms, non-invasive cardiac function tests, and ambulatory ECG and blood pressure monitoring. They also used traditional Chinese medicine diagnostic devices to assess health indicators, while maintaining regular in-orbit exercise routines.