The three Chinese astronauts aboard the Tiangong Space Station have celebrated in space their first traditional holiday -- the Dragon Boat Festival -- on Saturday.
The crew, made up of Chinese astronauts Chen Dong, Chen Zhongrui, and Wang Jie, sent heartwarming wishes sent Chinese on the Dragon Boat Festival, which is celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth month on the Chinese lunar calender.
"Dear fellow countrymen, from the Chinese space station we send our distant blessings. On this Dragon Boat Festival, may the fragrance of Zongzi (sticky rice dumplings) fill the air over the land of our country. May our great motherland continue to thrive, and may all our fellow countrymen live in happiness and peace. Wish everyone good health during the festival," said the Shenzhou-20 crew in a collective message.
Over the past month, the three astronauts have worked hand in hand, successfully completing their first spacewalk with close coordination of the ground-based staff. A variety of scientific experiments and technological tests are steadily progressing on schedule.
According to the mission plan, the Shenzhou-20 crew will continue to carry out in-orbit research, operate equipment for scientific and technical experiments, and conduct further extravehicular activities and cargo transfer tasks, maximizing the utility of the space station platform.
"As the commander of the Shenzhou-20 crew, I'm pleased to share updates on our mission progress. So far, all activities are proceeding in an orderly manner. We completed the crew handover with the Shenzhou-19 mission, performed our first spacewalk, and have been conducting various experiments in biotechnology and life sciences," said Chen Dong.
"It has been over a month since we arrived at the space station. At first, the floating sensation brought on by the weightless environment was both exciting and a bit disorienting. But over time, I've learned how to move effectively in microgravity. The experience is incredible and watching the Earth from the vastness of space truly deepens my appreciation for the significance of human space exploration," said Chen Zhongrui.
"How time flies! It's already more than a month since we arrived at the space station. Everything here is filled with mystery and challenge. Applying the skills we trained so hard for on the Earth, and seeing them come to life in space give me a profound sense of accomplishment. The completion of every task feels like a personal breakthrough," said Wang Jie.
The Shenzhou-20 manned spacecraft was successfully launched into orbit on April 24, 2025.
Chinese astronauts celebrate Dragon Boat Festival aboard space station
Chinese astronauts celebrate Dragon Boat Festival aboard space station
