China awards space medals to Shenzhou-21 crew after record-breaking mission
英雄航天员张陆、武飞、张洪章获颁"航天功勋奖章"
China's top party, state, and military authorities have awarded honors to the three astronauts of the Shenzhou-21 mission. Commander Zhang Lu received a Second-Class Space Merit Medal, while crewmates Wu Fei and Zhang Hongzhang were given the title 'Heroic Astronaut' and a Third-Class Space Merit Medal. The decision, dated August 20, 2026, cites their completion of a seven-month stay aboard the Tiangong space station, which set a new national record for crewed mission duration.
The view from inside
The commendation frames the mission as a demonstration of China's 'high-level scientific and technological self-reliance' (高水平科技自立自强) and a source of national confidence.
Free. The read from inside China is the part we ask you to sign in for.