China's New Space Team: A Mix of Firsts and Familiar Faces

China has launched a new mission, Shenzhou-21, carrying three taikonauts and an unusual cargo: four live mice. This marks the first time China has sent mammals to space.

The Crew

• Zhang Lu: Experienced taikonaut
• Wu Fei: Youngest taikonaut ever, born in 1993
• Zhang Hongzhang: Newbie taikonaut

They will replace the current crew, who have been in space for six months.

Mission Objectives

The crew will conduct 27 scientific experiments, including:

• Space medicine
• Combustion in microgravity

The Mice

The four mice are part of a study to observe how microgravity and confinement affect mammals. China has sent fish to space before, but this is the first time with mammals.

China's Space Ambitions

China has been expanding its space program rapidly:

• Tiangong Space Station: Built after being excluded from the International Space Station.
• Pakistani Astronaut: Planned to be sent to Tiangong.
• Moon Landing: Aiming to put a person on the moon by 2030.
• Lunar Samples: Successfully landed a probe on the far side of the moon and returned samples in 2020.

Public Excitement

The launch drew crowds, including a father hoping to inspire his 7-year-old son with the "space dream."

China is clearly positioning itself as a major player in space exploration.