Chinese Space Mission Extends Duties: Experiments, Habitat Care and Crew Wellness

Beijing, Oct 4 – The Shenzhou‑23 crew, comprising astronauts Zhu Yangzhu, Qiang Qichuan and Li Chaying, has now been orbiting for over four months. Their assignment continued uninterrupted through the national holiday period.

To celebrate the festivities, the team decorated the interior of the Chinese space station, creating a lively setting for the autumn and National Day holidays.

Their scientific agenda remained robust. Using a Raman spectrometer, they identified metabolic substances in collected urine, probed gut microbiota composition, and measured nutrient metabolism. The crew also pursued research on cognitive function, brain‑machine synergy, and adaptability during complex tasks in microgravity.

In the microgravity physics domain, the astronauts completed on‑line maintenance, installed a new inertial particle experiment module, replaced samples in the fluid‑physics experiment cabinet, and calibrated electrodes of the axial system.

Habitat maintenance tasks were also addressed. They performed on‑orbit servicing of the life‑ecosystem experimental cabinet and replaced the humidity control unit, ensuring a stable living environment for the long‑duration mission.