launched from China

Shenzhou 4

Success
DEC 29200216:40:00 UTC

The last uncrewed Shenzhou test flight, flown in a configuration essentially identical to a crewed mission. Its success cleared the way for Shenzhou 5, which carried China's first astronaut into orbit the following year.

launched from LA-4/SLS-1 Jiuquan

aboard Long March 2F into LEO

Spacecraft

Shenzhou Shenzhou 4

Flight test

Payload

Shenzhou spacecraft orbital module

Flight test

last updated Oct 30, 2026