Astronauts Film Space Music Video for Lunar New Year

Three astronauts floating 250 miles above Earth just proved that no distance is too far to celebrate what matters most.

China's Shenzhou 21 crew rang in Lunar New Year 2026 aboard the Tiangong Space Station this week with a celebration that went viral back on Earth. Commander Zhang Lu and his crewmates filmed a stunning music video in zero gravity, singing over footage of recent spaceflight achievements while floating through their orbital home.

The video features Zhang Lu performing against a backdrop of rocket launches, spacewalks, and science experiments conducted on the space station. His crewmates also displayed traditional Chinese calligraphy of the character 福, meaning "good fortune" or "blessing."

Flight engineer Wu Fei, celebrating his first spaceflight, sent a message that resonated far beyond space. "The Year of the Horse calls for the vigor of a galloping steed," Wu said. "Let us keep striving for our dreams and working for happiness."

The celebration comes after the crew overcame a serious challenge late last year. A piece of suspected space debris struck one of two spacecraft docked at Tiangong, leaving the astronauts temporarily without a safe ride home. China's space agency quickly launched an uncrewed rescue capsule, ending the emergency within 10 days.

Why This Inspires

The Shenzhou 21 crew's celebration shows how cultural traditions connect us across any distance. While orbiting Earth at 17,500 miles per hour, these astronauts took time to honor a holiday celebrated by billions of people below.

Lunar New Year has united families and communities for thousands of years, primarily throughout Asia. The holiday follows the lunar calendar, occurring on the second new moon after winter solstice. This year's celebration began Tuesday, February 17, and continues until the first full moon on March 3.

The Year of the Horse represents confidence, responsibility, and fierce independence. People born in Horse years are believed to be fit and intelligent, seeking challenges that test both body and mind. The Shenzhou 21 crew certainly embodies those qualities.

Their music video celebrates not just cultural heritage but also China's growing achievements in space exploration. The footage showcases the hard work of thousands of people who made these orbital celebrations possible.

Even 250 miles up, tradition and hope find a way to thrive.