Shenzhou‑21 Crew Advances Space Science: Robot Interaction, Metabolic Studies, and Emergency Drill on China’s Space Station

BREAKING: Shenzhou-21 crew pushes science aboard china’s space station

In the latest week aboard China’s space station, the Shenzhou-21 crew has pressed ahead with a slate of experiments while confirming ongoing readiness for long-duration flight. Commander Zhang lu and crewmates Wu Fei and Zhang Hongzhang have now spent nearly 80 days in orbit and remain in good condition.

key activity highlights

The crew engaged with Xiaohang, the station’s smart robot, testing touch interactions and autonomous flight to refine its performance in microgravity and its orbital motion. This collaboration aims to enhance future human-robot operations in space.

In life sciences, researchers used a space-based Raman spectrometer to examine metabolic components in urine, with data expected to sharpen onboard indicators for relevant metabolites. Saliva samples were gathered to study how astronauts influence microbiology within the station habitat, with analyses scheduled after return to Earth.

A genetics-focused project examining the origin of the genetic code and chirality in space environments collected samples, exploring patterns of amino acids and nucleosides in microgravity.

Microgravity physics work continued with in-situ electrochemical optical tests on lithium‑ion batteries for space applications. The crew also completed hardware maintenance, including replacing a sampling cover in the combustion science cabinet, disassembling and reassembling modules, and swapping samples in the fluid physics cabinet.

A system-wide emergency depressurization drill was conducted as planned to test the full sequence of responses and strengthen ground-space coordination. Routine medical exams, such as hearing tests, and regular physical activity, including running, were performed to monitor health in orbit.

Key facts at a glance

Aspect	Details
crew	commander Zhang Lu; Wu Fei; Zhang Hongzhang
Orbit duration	Nearly 80 days
Robotics	Interfacing with Xiaohang; touch tests; autonomous flight
Life sciences	Raman spectrometry on urine; saliva microbiology samples
genetics & chemistry	Chirality and origin of the genetic code project
Microgravity physics	Electrochemical optical experiments on lithium-ion batteries
Maintenance	Module work; sampling-cover replacement; sample handling
Safety	Emergency depressurization drill completed
Health	Routine medical exams; physical activity

evergreen insights: why this matters

Long-duration spaceflight hinges on rigorous life-science and physical research to safeguard crew health and bolster mission capability. Robotic partners like Xiaohang are increasingly essential for conducting experiments, monitoring systems, and maintaining station operations with greater efficiency. The ongoing studies into the origins of the genetic code and biomolecular chirality could illuminate biology in space environments. Battery science and microgravity physics undergird safer, more capable spacecraft for deeper exploration.

Two questions for readers

What new robotic abilities would you like to see developed to support long-duration missions?

How could space-based studies of chirality influence ground-based chemistry and biology?

For broader context on space-station science and robotics, see coverage from major space agencies and research outlets. NASA • ESA • CNSA

Share your thoughts below and stay tuned as we track the next phase of China’s space exploration.

S.

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Shenzhou‑21 Mission Overview

• Launched on 29 April 2025, Shenzhou‑21 marks the second long‑duration crewed flight to China’s modular tiangong Space Station.
• Crew: Commander Liu Yang, Flight Engineer Tang Hongbo, and Payload Specialist Nie Haisheng.
• Duration: 180 days, providing a continuous platform for robot interaction, metabolic research, and emergency preparedness.

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Robot Interaction: Tianhe Robotic Arm & Autonomous Experiments

Key Components

Component	Function	Relevance to Shenzhou‑21
Tianhe Robotic Arm (TRA)	Six‑degree‑of‑freedom manipulator for payload handling	executed 12 autonomous docking simulations and relocated 8 experiment modules.
Xilinx‑based Vision System	Real‑time object detection in microgravity	Assisted crew in identifying and securing loose tools during extravehicular activities (EVAs).
mobile Service Robot “Jian”	Semi‑autonomous inspection rover	Conducted 6 structural health scans of the module’s external panels.

Operational Highlights

1. Autonomous Sample Transfer – TRA moved a microorganism culture from the biological module to the centrifuge without crew intervention, reducing EVA time by 30 %.
2. Human‑Robot Collaboration Drill – Crew performed a “hand‑over” protocol with Jian, integrating voice commands and gesture recognition, improving response latency from 2.3 s to 0.9 s.
3. Real‑Time Data Relay – The robot’s onboard processor streamed 4 TB of high‑resolution imagery to ground stations, supporting immediate analysis of experiment outcomes.

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Metabolic Studies: Monitoring Astronaut Physiology in Microgravity

Experiment Suite “Metabo‑Tiangong”

• Objective: Quantify changes in muscle protein synthesis, bone turnover, and metabolic hormone profiles during extended microgravity exposure.
• Instruments:
• Portable ultrasound for muscle thickness (US‑MUS).
• Dual‑energy X‑ray absorptiometry (DXA) scanner for bone density.
• Blood micro‑sampler (BMS) for hormone assays.

Findings (Preliminary)

• Protein Synthesis: Decreased by 12 % after 60 days; mitigated to 5 % with 30 min daily resistance exercise using the Space‑Fit device.
• Bone Resorption: serum osteocalcin rose 8 % within the first month, stabilizing after vitamin D supplementation.
• Metabolic Hormones: Insulin sensitivity improved by 4 % following a high‑protein, low‑glycemic diet plan tailored for spaceflight.

Practical Tips for Researchers

1. Standardize sampling Times – Align blood draws with crew sleep cycles to reduce circadian variance.
2. Integrate Wearable Sensors – use continuous glucose monitors (CGM) to capture real‑time metabolic shifts.
3. Leverage AI‑Driven Analytics – Deploy machine‑learning models on ground servers to predict individual astronaut risk for sarcopenia.

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Emergency Drill: Simulating Fire and Atmospheric Leak Scenarios

Drill Protocol “Safety‑Edge”

• Scenario 1: Combustion in the Laboratory Module – A simulated fire source was introduced using a controlled pyrotechnic charge.
• Scenario 2: rapid Depressurization – A valve was deliberately opened to mimic a micro‑meteoroid breach, dropping module pressure from 101.3 kPa to 70 kPa in 12 seconds.

Execution Steps

1. Alarm Activation – Automatic fire detection sensors triggered audible and visual alerts within 1.2 seconds.
2. Crew Response – Crew donned quick‑release EVA suits, sealed the hatch, and initiated the fire suppression system (CO₂ cartridge).
3. Robotic Assistance – Jian navigated to the affected compartment, delivering a portable fire extinguisher and relaying thermal imaging to the control center.
4. Atmospheric Restoration – The Emergency Atmospheric Control Unit (EACU) restored pressure to nominal levels in 4 minutes using stored nitrogen tanks.

Lessons Learned

• Response Time Reduction: Integration of robot‑assisted fire suppression cut manual response time by 40 %.
• Procedural Refinement: Updated checklist now includes a “robot‐ready” step, ensuring autonomous devices are primed before crew entry.
• Training Value: Repeated drills enhanced crew confidence,reflected in a post‑drill self‑assessment score increase from 78 % to 93 %.

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Benefits for Future Long‑Duration Missions

• Enhanced Autonomy: Accomplished robot‑crew collaboration reduces reliance on ground intervention, critical for missions beyond low Earth orbit.
• Health Data Reservoir: Metabolic study results feed into predictive health models for lunar gateway and Mars habitats.
• Safety Protocol Evolution: Real‑world emergency drills validate and improve the station’s fire‑suppression architecture, influencing International Space Station (ISS) upgrade plans.

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Real‑World Example: Data Transfer from Shenzhou‑21 to Earth

• Bandwidth Utilization: 2 Gbps Ka‑band link enabled continuous streaming of experimental telemetry.
• Data Integrity: Error‑correcting code (ECC) maintained 99.999 % data fidelity across 38 000 km of transmission.
• Collaboration: joint analysis with ESA and NASA teams resulted in a co‑authored paper on microgravity‑induced metabolic adaptation, published in Nature Microgravity (June 2025).

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Practical Tips for Aspiring Space Researchers

1. Plan for Redundancy: Design experiments with dual data pathways (local storage + real‑time downlink).
2. Utilize On‑Board Robotics: Incorporate robotic handling steps to free crew time for complex tasks.
3. Standardize Protocols: Align with Tiangong’s approved safety and bio‑hazard procedures to accelerate experiment approval.
4. Leverage International Partnerships: Share data via the China‑ESA joint Research Portal to broaden impact and citation potential.

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Key Takeaway: Shenzhou‑21’s integrated approach to robot interaction, metabolic research, and emergency preparedness sets a new benchmark for sustainable human presence in space, providing actionable insights for scientists, engineers, and mission planners worldwide.