Story perspectives

Civilian Astronaut Leads Battery Experiments in Space Mission

1/9/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Zhang Hongzhang, a civilian astronaut and professor at Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, leads experiments aboard Tiangong space station as part of Shenzhou-21 program.
The mission aims to advance safer, more powerful lithium-ion batteries by studying how gravity affects battery performance.
Zhang is the second civilian astronaut in space, following Gui Haichao in 2023.
He collaborates with ground researchers to optimize outcomes, and the work could benefit future space exploration.

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Story summary

Zhang Hongzhang, a civilian astronaut and professor at Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, leads experiments aboard Tiangong space station as part of Shenzhou-21 program.
The mission aims to advance safer, more powerful lithium-ion batteries by studying how gravity affects battery performance.
Zhang is the second civilian astronaut in space, following Gui Haichao in 2023.
He collaborates with ground researchers to optimize outcomes, and the work could benefit future space exploration.