Major breakthroughs in China's science and technology in 2021

5. Shenzhou XII and Shenzhou XIII successfully launched

On June 17, Shenzhou XII was launched on a Long March 2F carrier rocket that blasted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Northwestern China. The astronauts entered Tiangong later that day, becoming the first inhabitants of the station. During the mission, the astronauts carried out two extravehicular activities, or spacewalks, using a large robotic arm and other equipment to install and adjust devices outside the station. They completed their 92-day mission and returned to the Earth safely on Sep 17.

Shenzhou XIII mission was launched to the Tiangong space station early in the morning of Oct 16. The crew members are scheduled to spend six months working in the station, making it China's longest space mission. The mission crew completed its first spacewalk on Nov 8, with Wang Yaping, 41, becoming China's first female spacewalker. The crew completed second spacewalk on Dec 27.