BEIJING – As the traditional Chinese Spring Festival approaches, the three astronauts aboard the Shenzhou-21 mission have transformed their orbital outpost into a festive haven, decked out in vibrant Spring Festival colors. Floating some 400 kilometers above Earth, they extended heartfelt wishes for national prosperity and the well-being of their fellow citizens. This marks the fourth Spring Festival celebrated aboard China’s fully operational space station.
Mission Commander Chang Lu, experiencing his second space-based Lunar New Year, gazed out the window at the blue planet below. ‘Seeing Earth from here fills my heart with deep affection for my family and my country,’ he shared, his voice carrying the weight of cosmic solitude and national pride.
For astronaut Wu Fei, this is a maiden voyage into festive festivities in orbit. ‘We must charge forward like the energetic Horse Year, relentlessly pursuing our dreams,’ he enthused, invoking the spirit of the upcoming Year of the Horse.
Astronaut Chang Hongchang described the occasion as the most precious experience of his life. ‘We’ll keep adding new chapters to the universe and wish for continued scientific advancement for our nation,’ he affirmed, underscoring the mission’s broader ambitions.
On Monday night, the eve of the festival, the crew will savor special Spring Festival delicacies prepared in microgravity. Among the highlights: traditional dishes paired with cakes baked for the first time in the station’s space oven – a culinary milestone in orbit.
Launched on October 31, 2025, the Shenzhou-21 crew has been stationed aboard the Chinese space station for over 100 days. Their routine includes groundbreaking scientific experiments, equipment maintenance, and health management protocols, all contributing to China’s ambitious space program.
This celestial celebration not only boosts morale but also symbolizes the nation’s technological prowess, bridging earthly traditions with the vast expanse of space. As fireworks light up cities below, these spacefarers remind us that human spirit knows no bounds.