On April 17, 2026, extravehicular activity was conducted on the Tiangong Space Station, according to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA). The agency has announced that the three crew members of Shenzhou-21, launched in late October 2025, will remain in orbit for an additional month to complete validation of onboard technologies.
The crew, consisting of Zhang Lu, Wu Fei, and Zhang Hongzhang, has been actively involved in scientific experiments, system checks, and station construction activities. Their extended stay aims to ensure the space station's operational capabilities and to gather further data to support China’s goals of a sustained human presence in space.
The mission has included spacewalks and other EVAs, contributing valuable insights into station operations. The program highlights China’s progress in human spaceflight and its broader plans for space station development and international cooperation.
Following this extension, the crew will continue their tasks to demonstrate the station's readiness for future scientific and exploratory missions, reinforcing China’s position as a key player in space exploration.
