As China celebrates its 11th Space Day on Friday, the Shenzhou-21 crew aboard the country's space station have sent their blessings, wishing for a promising future for the nation's space endeavors.
The Shenzhou-21 crew members, comprised of mission commander Zhang Lu and astronauts Wu Fei and Zhang Hongzhang, were sent to space from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China on Oct 31, 2025 for a six-month mission.
"Upon the 11th Space Day, I wish for continued prosperity and success to our motherland's space program, and I hope that everyone who harbors a dream of space exploration will bravely set out toward the stars and the vast ocean of space. This year marks the 70th anniversary of the founding of China's space program. From the moment the melody of 'The East Is Red' echoed across the universe to the present day when the Chinese space station soars through the heavens, we astronauts are not only witnesses to history but also participants of history. The Tianhe core module has been in orbit operation for five years. Living in a space home built by the Chinese people, we feel a deep sense of security. We are immensely happy to be able to contribute to the significant development of China's space program," said astronaut Zhang Lu.
"Hello everyone, I'm astronaut Wu Fei. In October 2003, the return capsule of the Shenzhou-5 spacecraft landed on the grasslands of Siziwang Banner in Inner Mongolia. Back then, as a child, I wrote five words on a piece of paper: 'I will go to space'. Now, the boy who once gazed admiringly at the stars has realized his dream. Working and living at the Chinese space station, I understand even more clearly that the curiosity in children's eyes is the most precious fuel for the space industry. The baton of China's space program will eventually be passed into your hands. I hope you will keep the crave for exploring the unknown. Dreams are never distant starlight; they are the result of perseverance, one step at a time. Let us chase our dreams in our youth, living up to the expectations of our era and our motherland," said astronaut Wu Fei.
"Taking care of plants as they thrive, helping mice complete their wondrous journey in space, and combining scientific ideals with the dream of flying to the heavens, I find every day in space deeply meaningful. As space explorers of the new era, we are fulfilling our aspirations through our joint endeavors to build the glory of China's space program. The future holds great promise, and let us together put the footprints of the Chinese people into the farther reaches of the cosmos," said astronaut Zhang Hongzhang.
In 2016, April 24 was chosen as the Space Day of China to mark the launch of the country's first satellite "Dongfanghong-1" into space on April 24, 1970.
Chinese astronauts send blessings from space to mark Space Day
