Chinese Shenzhou-21 Astronauts Deliver New Year Greetings from Tiangong Space Station

Greetings from Orbit: Shenzhou-21 Crew Extends New Year Wishes

The three Chinese astronauts aboard the Tiangong space station, part of the Shenzhou-21 mission, released a New Year greetings video on Thursday, January 1, 2026, extending their wishes to the nation. The crew, consisting of mission commander Zhang Lu, flight engineer Wu Fei, and payload specialist Zhang Hongzhang, shared their reflections and hopes for the new year from their orbital outpost.

The Crew and Their Messages

Mission commander Zhang Lu, who became the first Chinese astronaut to celebrate the New Year in space for a second time, conveyed a message emphasizing national pride. He stated that 'the strength of our nation is the foundation and assurance of our space journeys,' and shared that looking down upon the homeland often reminded him of the lyrics from a well-known song: 'I sing for every mountain, I sing for every river.'

Wu Fei, on his inaugural space mission, reported on the crew's recent inspections of the space station's facilities, highlighting their commitment to ensuring the stable operation of their 'home in orbit.' He also spoke of the spirit of 'Wen Tian,' signifying the courage to challenge the unknown, and wished for people to bravely pursue their passions.

Zhang Hongzhang, experiencing his first New Year in space, offered wishes for a joyful year, hoping 'everyone have a joyful New Year and see all their dreams come true.'

Collectively, the astronauts conveyed a message of unity and aspiration, stating, 'Heaven and earth share the era, all directions celebrate together, happy New Year,' and 'We wish everyone a smooth journey illuminated by the stars in the year ahead. Happy New Year!'

Mission Context and Activities

The Shenzhou-21 manned spacecraft was launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center on October 31, 2025. This mission marks the 16th crewed Chinese spaceflight and the 21st flight overall of the Shenzhou program, representing the tenth crew rotation to the Tiangong station, which has been continuously occupied since June 2021. The crew is undertaking a six-month mission.

Prior to their New Year greetings, the Shenzhou-21 crew completed their first series of extravehicular activities (EVAs) on December 9, 2025. As the new year commences, they plan to conduct additional EVAs, along with a range of scientific experiments and technical tests, including China's first study of rodent mammals in orbit.

Broader Significance

The New Year greetings from the Tiangong space station underscore China's ongoing commitment to its ambitious space program. The astronauts acknowledged that President Xi Jinping's New Year message had inspired them to fulfill their missions in space. The Tiangong space station, a modular design, operates in low Earth orbit and serves as a platform for space-based experiments and fostering scientific and technological innovation. The continuous occupation of the station and the regular crew rotations highlight the maturity and sustained progress of China's human spaceflight endeavors.