The Shenzhou-21 mission crew aboard China's Tiangong space station has successfully cultivated and harvested tomatoes in orbit using an aeroponic system. This achievement is part of ongoing scientific experiments and operational tasks conducted by the crew, who launched on October 31, 2025.
In-Orbit Tomato Cultivation
Astronauts on the Tiangong space station have completed the harvest of tomatoes grown within an aeroponic cultivation system. Astronaut Zhang Hongzhang provided a tour of the station's cultivation area, which featured the growing tomato plants. Astronaut Wu Fei noted the scent of the ripening tomatoes and confirmed that the crew tends to the plants daily, recording growth data.
Astronaut Zhang Lu reported that the presence of green plants provided psychological benefits for the crew.
Following the harvest, the ripe fruits were photographed, then sealed and stored along with the plants.
Aeroponic System and Research Objectives
The aeroponic cultivation system, developed by a research team from the China Astronaut Research and Training Center, operates by vaporizing water into a fine mist, a method designed to enhance water usage efficiency. The system also incorporates a specially designed LED light spectrum aimed at improving energy efficiency. This device arrived at the space station via the Tianzhou-9 cargo spacecraft in July 2025.
The primary objectives of these experiments include validating key technologies for efficient plant cultivation in microgravity.
Data collected from these trials is intended to inform the development of bioregenerative life support systems for future long-duration space missions. Scientists on Earth are utilizing the facility to research efficient cultivation methods, fruit and vegetable productivity, plant atmospheric regeneration capacity, and optimized plant care protocols.
Future Cultivation Plans
Future plans for the cultivation area on the Tiangong station involve aeroponic cultivation trials of other crops, including wheat, carrots, and medicinal plant species. These experiments aim to expand crop diversity within orbital environments.
Broader Mission Activities
Beyond plant cultivation, the Shenzhou-21 crew has undertaken a range of scientific and operational responsibilities. These include microgravity physical science experiments and tasks within space materials science. Specific activities have involved cleaning sample residues from the containerless experiment rack, replacing experimental samples, maintaining electrode mechanisms, and cleaning the lens of the viewport cover.
The crew also conducts inspections and maintenance on equipment related to the regenerative life support system and regularly monitors microorganisms within the station to support microbial control.
Medical activities include performing medical emergency training to familiarize the crew with rescue procedures in microgravity, and conducting blood tests using fingertip sampling, with data used by ground teams to monitor crew health.
Mission Timeline
The Shenzhou-21 manned spacecraft launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center on October 31, 2025.
As of recent reports, the crew has been in space for over 100 days.
The initial series of extravehicular activities were completed on December 9.