Leonard David's INSIDE OUTER SPACE

Image credit: CMSA/CCTV/Inside Outer Space screengrab

China’s Shenzhou-21 crew has been busily carrying out an array of experiments aboard the country’s Tiangong space station.

The taikonaut threesome — mission commander Zhang Lu, and astronauts Wu Fei and Zhang Hongzhang – were launched on November 1^st to begin their six-month voyage.

Experiment focus

As noted by China Central Television (CCTV), the three space travelers are engaged in:

• Aerospace medicine experiments: the three astronauts used electroencephalogram (EEG) equipment to acquire data needed for experimental projects such as metacognitive monitoring research and group brain cognition-emotion analysis and regulation, assisting the ground-based researchers in their ongoing research.

• Plant studies: In the station’s Wentian lab module, the trio used the science glove box to collect samples of Arabidopsis thaliana, a plant that will help in research on the molecular network regulation of plant stem cells.

• Microgravity physics: the crew completed the disassembly and assembly of the complex fluid experiment module in the fluid physics experimental cabinet and replaced the experimental samples.

Image credit: CMSA/CCTV/Inside Outer Space screengrab

Lithium-ion battery research

Work has also involved a plug-in gas experiment in the combustion experimental cabinet. The Shenzhou-21 trio carried out the cleaning and replacement of the sample in the containerless cabinet experimental chamber and the maintenance of the electrodes of the axial mechanism.

Also carried out is electrochemical optical research of lithium-ion batteries for space applications, a project to document the entire process of lithium dendrite growth.

Artwork depicts China’s Tiangong space station.
Image credit: China Manned Space Agency

Lastly, the three astronauts have undergone medical examinations such as bone density measurement, electrocardiogram and blood pressure checks, and visual function measurement to appraise their on-orbit health status.

For a video showcasing the onboard station work, go to:

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1192918995724719