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Shenzhou 21

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Shenzhou 21
Mission typeTiangong space station crew transport
OperatorChina Manned Space Agency
Mission duration180 days (planned)
Spacecraft properties
Spacecraft typeShenzhou
ManufacturerChina Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation
Crew
Crew size3
MembersTBA
Start of mission
Launch dateOctober 2025(planned)
RocketLong March 2F
Launch siteJiuquan, LA-4/SLS
ContractorChina Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology
End of mission
Landing date2026 (planned)
Landing siteInner Mongolia, China
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric orbit
RegimeLow Earth orbit
Inclination41.5°
Docking with Tiangong space station
Docking portTianhe Nadir
Docking dateOctober 2025 (planned)
Undocking date2026 (planned)
Time docked180 days (planned)

Shenzhou 21 (Chinese: 神舟二十一号; pinyin: Shénzhōu èrshíyī-hào; lit. 'Divine Boat Number 21') is a planned Chinese spaceflight to the Tiangong space station, expected to launch in October 2025.[1] It will carry three taikonauts on board a Shenzhou spacecraft. The mission will be the 16th crewed Chinese spaceflight and the 21st flight overall of the Shenzhou program.

Background

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Shenzhou 21 is expected to launch in October 2025, prior to the end of the previous mission, Shenzhou 20. It will be the 10th flight to the Tiangong space station, and is expected to last approximately 6 months. It will depart following the arrival of the Shenzhou 22 crew in 2025.

Mission

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The mission will launch from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center on board a Long March 2F rocket. The Shenzhou spacecraft will dock with the forward docking port on the Tianhe core module of the station, where the crew will enter and take over operations from the departing crew of Shenzhou 20.

Crew

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Position Crew member
Commander China TBA, CMSA
Operator China TBA, CMSA
Science Operator China TBA, CMSA

The crew for the Shenzhou 21 mission was selected in February 2024[2], but as of April 2024 has not been publicly announced.

References

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