Shenzhou 21 () is a planned Chinese spaceflight to the Tiangong space station, expected to launch in October 2025. It will carry three taikonauts on board a Shenzhou spacecraft. The mission will be the 16th crewed Chinese spaceflight and the 21st flight overall of the Shenzhou program.
Background.
Shenzhou 21 is expected to launch in October 2025, prior to the end of the previous mission, Shenzhou 20. It will be the 10th flight to the Tiangong space station, and is expected to last approximately 6 months. It will depart following the arrival of the Shenzhou 22 crew in 2026.
Mission.
The mission will launch from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center on board a Long March 2F rocket. The Shenzhou spacecraft will dock with the forward docking port on the "Tianhe" core module of the station, where the crew will enter and take over operations from the departing crew of Shenzhou 20.
Crew.
The crew for the Shenzhou 21 mission was selected in February 2025, but as of April 2025 has not been publicly announced.