Shenzhou-23 Crew Nears Two Months in Orbit with Expanding Experiments
The Shenzhou-23 crew aboard China’s Tiangong space station has released new footage on “Tiangong TV” showcasing an expanding roster of scientific experiments as the three astronauts approach their two-month milestone in orbit. Commander Zhu Yangzhu, Pilot Zhang Zhiyuan, and Payload Specialist Li Jiaying — Hong Kong’s first astronaut — have been conducting research spanning brain-computer interfaces, immunology, biomechanics, and microgravity physics, according to CCTV News.
Mission Background
Launched on May 24, 2026, from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center aboard a Long March 2F/G rocket, Shenzhou-23 is the 17th crewed Chinese spaceflight and the 11th crewed mission to the Tiangong space station. The spacecraft performed an autonomous rapid rendezvous and docking with the Tianhe core module just hours after launch. The crew completed a handover with the Shenzhou-21 astronauts on May 28.
The mission carries particular historical weight: it includes China’s first one-year in-orbit stay experiment and features Li Jiaying (also known as Lai Ka-ying), a former Hong Kong Police Force superintendent with a PhD in computer science who became Hong Kong’s first astronaut and China’s first female payload specialist, as Wikipedia notes.
Cutting-Edge Science in Microgravity
The latest Tiangong TV update, published July 19, details a diverse array of experiments conducted over the past week. In the field of neuroscience, the crew used EEG collection devices and VR glasses to conduct weak-stimulus brain-computer interface tests, microgravity intuitive physics experiments, and spatial cooperative coding and regulation studies. Ground researchers will analyze the data to understand how microgravity affects neural processing.
In immunology and virology, the astronauts collected saliva samples and environmental surface microbe swabs as part of a long-term study on how the space environment affects virus-host immune metabolism interactions. The samples have been frozen for return to Earth, where researchers will analyze salivary glycoprotein profiles and microbiome changes.
The crew also employed structured light 3D cameras to study astronaut kinematics in long-term orbit, capturing 3D video of specific work scenarios to inform ergonomic design evaluations. Proprioception testing — including finger-to-nose touch exercises — was conducted to assess mechanical force perception in microgravity.
Psychological well-being remains a priority. The astronauts completed emergency decision-making ability assessments and in-orbit emotional state testing to study how extended spaceflight affects cognitive function and emotional regulation. Meanwhile, in the microgravity physics domain, the crew replaced experimental samples in the fluid physics experiment cabinet and the online maintenance assembly operation cabinet.
Platform Maintenance and Health Management
Beyond scientific research, the crew conducted routine inspections of the regenerative life support system, replacing components as needed. They measured cabin air velocity and temperature, performed air cleanliness testing, and collected microbial samples from the water dispenser outlet. The astronauts also maintained their physical health through regular in-orbit exercise to counteract bone density loss, a standard countermeasure for long-duration spaceflight.
Historic Milestones and Strategic Significance
The Shenzhou-23 mission represents several firsts. Li Jiaying’s presence marks the integration of Hong Kong into China’s national space program — a significant political and social milestone. A former superintendent in the Hong Kong Police Force’s Technical Services Division, she was selected as a payload specialist in China’s fourth batch of astronauts and launched on May 24, becoming the fourth Chinese woman in space, as detailed on her Wikipedia biography.
Perhaps most significantly, the China Manned Space Agency has announced that one crew member is expected to remain aboard Tiangong for a full year — a critical step toward China’s goal of a crewed Moon landing by 2030. This extended stay will provide essential data on long-duration human adaptation to space. It also enables a planned visit by a Pakistani astronaut during the Shenzhou-24 mission, scheduled for October 2026, marking a milestone in China’s international space cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative.
What’s Next
As the Shenzhou-23 mission approaches its third month, the crew’s experiment list continues to grow. The one-year stay experiment will determine which astronaut remains aboard when Shenzhou-24 arrives, a decision based on physical and psychological evaluations conducted throughout the mission. With the backup Shenzhou-24 spacecraft also being prepared to restore “launch-on-need” capability, China’s human spaceflight program continues to demonstrate increasing operational maturity and ambition.
The crew’s next Tiangong TV update is expected to showcase further results from their ongoing research, as China pushes forward with its scientific and strategic objectives in low Earth orbit and beyond.