China to launch new crewed mission into space this week
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China prepares to launch the Shenzhou-20 mission to the Tiangong space station, marking a key step in its goal of sending Chinese astronauts to the Moon by 2030.
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Chinese astronaut for the Shenzhou-17 mission Jiang Xinlin waves inside a vehicle during a send-off ceremony for his manned space mission at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwestern China, on October 26, 2023. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
China is set to launch a new crewed space mission this week, as it steadily progresses toward its ambitious goal of landing Chinese astronauts on the Moon by 2030.
The Shenzhou-20 mission will depart from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwestern China, transporting three astronauts to the country's Tiangong space station for a planned six-month stay.
The China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) announced that the Shenzhou-20 spacecraft, along with its Long March-2F carrier rocket, has been transferred to the launch site at the remote desert facility. The launch is expected to take place "at an appropriate time in the near future."
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Images released by the Xinhua state news agency showed the rocket ready on its platform, adorned with Chinese flags and banners supporting the nation's space efforts.
"At present, the launch site facilities and equipment are in good condition. The functional inspections and joint tests will be carried out as planned," CMSA stated.
Chinese astronauts to conduct experiments aboard Tiangong Space Station
Details about the identities of the Chinese astronauts aboard Shenzhou-20 have not yet been disclosed. However, Zhou Wenxing, from the country's astronaut training center, confirmed that the crew is in good condition, with precise coordination and operational readiness, according to state broadcaster CCTV.
The astronauts will carry out a series of experiments aboard the Tiangong space station, contributing to China's long-term Moon mission 2030 objective and the development of a future lunar base.
The previous crewed mission, Shenzhou-19, launched in October and is set to conclude on April 29.
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A former air force pilot with prior experience on Tiangong during the Shenzhou-14 mission in 2022, 48-year-old Cai Xuzhe, leads the mission. The team also includes Wang Haoze, 35, China’s only female spaceflight engineer, and Song Lingdong, 34.
During their mission, the Shenzhou-19 crew conducted tests examining how lunar-like conditions affect materials resembling Moon soil, particularly under extreme radiation, gravity, and temperature.
China’s growing space ambitions towards a moon mission by 2030
Under President Xi Jinping, China has intensified efforts to realize its "space dream," aiming to match global leaders in space exploration. The country became the third nation to send humans into orbit and has achieved notable milestones, including landing robotic rovers on Mars and the Moon.
The Tiangong space station, launched in 2021 with its core module Tianhe, serves as a central element in China's space strategy and will remain operational for about 10 years.
With rotating crews every six months, China's space missions are designed to solidify its technological capabilities ahead of its planned Moon mission by 2030.
The China Manned Space Agency continues to oversee these missions, ensuring that each step aligns with the broader national goal of building an advanced space program.
As preparations for the Shenzhou-20 mission reach their final stages, China reaffirms its position as a rising force in space exploration, inching closer to placing Chinese astronauts on the lunar surface within the next five years.
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