Published: Jul 13, 2026, 12:42 IST | Updated: Jul 13, 2026, 12:42 IST
As the Shenzhou-23 mission marks its 50-day milestone aboard the Tiangong space station, China’s latest crew—commander Zhu Yangzhu, pilot Zhang Zhiyuan, and Hong Kong’s first astronaut Lai Ka-ying—is deep into an ambitious year-long scientific campaign. Launched on May 24, 2026, the crew is currently conducting over 100 specialized experiments focused on the long-term effects of spaceflight on human physiology and material science.