Shenzhou XXI crew set for first extravehicular activities

BEIJING -- The Shenzhou XXI crew members on board China's space station will conduct their first extravehicular activities within the next few days, the China Manned Space Agency announced on Thursday.

Since entering the orbiting space station combination on Nov 1, the Shenzhou XXI astronauts have completed tasks such as a rotation with the Shenzhou XX crew, the upkeep of the space station platform, the inspection and organization of emergency supplies, as well as life and health support tasks.

The agency said that the crew has conducted system-wide emergency pressure drills and in-orbit training for robotic arm operations, and all assigned space science experiments are advancing steadily.

Following the arrival of the Shenzhou XXII spacecraft, the crew carried out tests and organized the new supplies.

The Shenzhou XXI crew is in good health and the space station is operating smoothly, providing optimal conditions for extravehicular activities, the agency noted.