In Space - Sept 20-26, 2026 (China Manned Space Agency - No access Chinese mainland)
1. Various of Shenzhou-23 crew conducting payload transfer operations, apparatus being moved during exposure experiment
2. Various of Shenzhou-23 crew conducting in-cabin scientific experiments
3. Various of Shenzhou-23 crew replacing experimental components
4. Various of Shenzhou-23 crew doing exercise, conducting health checks

The China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) on Sunday released its weekly update on the Shenzhou-23 mission, reporting that the crew completed payload transfer operations and steadily advanced scientific experiments aboard the Tiangong space station.

According to the mission schedule, the three crew members, Zhu Yangzhu, Zhang Zhiyuan and Lai Ka-ying, carried out the extravehicular transfer of a general-purpose test apparatus for components and devices last week.

The apparatus includes experimental units such as a hollow-core photonic bandgap fiber optic gyroscope, a super-precise navigation sensor that uses light traveling through hollow glass tubes to track movement and orientation.

It also includes next-generation electronic hardware and remote sensing target detection technology that relies on Chinese-developed AI chips.

With support from ground personnel, the crew also completed the return to the cabin of the material exposure experiment apparatus, which allows scientists to test how different materials react to space radiation.

Since it was launched aboard the Tianzhou-5 cargo spacecraft on Nov. 12, 2022, the apparatus has conducted three batches of exposure experiments involving 16 projects, setting multiple world firsts. The fourth batch is currently underway, covering eight scientific research projects and 26 unit samples.
 
In-cabin scientific experiments proceeded in an orderly manner last week. The crew conducted mass perception and arm vibration tests as part of an in-orbit tactile perception experiment to study changes in astronauts' tactile sensitivity during spaceflight. They also completed an emergency decision-making ability assessment and in-orbit emotional state tests.

In terms of platform maintenance, the crew replaced components in the water-air separation device of the regenerative life support system.

The astronauts also completed medical checks, including a 12-lead electrocardiogram and non-invasive cardiac function examinations, and used equipment such as a bone loss countermeasure device and a neuromuscular electrical stimulator to actively counter the physiological effects of weightlessness.

China launched the Shenzhou-23 crewed spaceship on May 24. The mission includes a one-year in-orbit study designed to gather data for future long-duration human space missions.