The three astronauts aboard China’s Shenzhou-20 spacecraft have now spent more than 170 days in orbit, marking another major milestone in the country’s growing space ambitions. The crew — Chen Dong, Chen Congrui, and Wang Jie — entered the Tiangong Space Station in late April as part of a six-month mission. According to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA), they are expected to return to Earth by the end of October.
Over the past week, the astronauts have continued conducting scientific experiments and maintenance operations aboard Tiangong.
In the field of space medicine, the crew used laptops and specialized instruments to carry out behavioral and cognitive tests — including studies on visual field, task performance, and psychological responses. Through EEG monitoring, they collected valuable data on how prolonged spaceflight affects the human brain and visual perception.
The astronauts also gathered saliva and urine samples to study how changes in gut microbiota during extended missions may influence human metabolism and digestion.
In materials science research, they performed a series of complex tasks inside the containerless laboratory, such as cleaning experimental samples, maintaining electrodes, and installing chips for microbe control technology.
As part of their routine health assessments, the astronauts conducted ultrasound examinations of their abdomen, muscles, and heart to monitor physiological changes during the mission.
The successful completion of these studies will further enhance China’s long-term space exploration capabilities and provide crucial insights for future human missions beyond Earth orbit.
Sources: Faisal-Shubho (CMG Bangla), CCTV