CCTV News: According to the China Manned Space Engineering Office, at 23:44 on October 31, 2025, Beijing time, the Long March 2F Yao 21 carrier rocket carrying the Shenzhou 21 manned spacecraft was ignited and launched at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. About 10 minutes later, the spacecraft and the rocket successfully separated and entered the predetermined orbit. The astronaut crew was in good condition and the launch was a complete success.
After the spacecraft enters orbit, it will conduct autonomous rapid rendezvous and docking with the space station assembly in accordance with predetermined procedures. The astronaut crew of Shenzhou 21 will rotate with the astronaut crew of Shenzhou 20 in orbit. During their stay at the space station, the Shenzhou 21 astronaut crew will carry out a number of practical experiments and applications in the fields of space life and human body research, microgravity physical science, and new space technologies, conduct multiple extravehicular activities, complete the installation of the space station's debris protection device, and install, debug, and maintain equipment inside and outside the cabin.
At this point, my country’s 2025 manned space launch mission has come to a successful conclusion. This mission is the sixth manned mission as the project enters the space station application and development stage, and it is also the 37th launch mission since the project was established and implemented. Up to now, our country has had 28 astronauts and 44 people carry out missions in space. This mission is also the 604th flight of the Long March series of launch vehicles and the 21st flight of the Shenzhou manned spacecraft.
At present, the space station assembly has entered the docking orbit and is in good working condition, meeting the conditions for rendezvous and docking with the Shenzhou 21 manned spacecraft and the entry of astronauts.
