China on Thursday successfully launched three astronauts to its Tiangong space station, marking another major milestone in its ambitious space programme. The Shenzhou-20 mission lifted off at 5:17 p.m. local time (0917 GMT) from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Base, located in the remote reaches of the Gobi Desert in northwest China. The rocket, a Long March-2F, soared into the sky in a plume of flame and smoke, witnessed by cheering crowds and space enthusiasts who had gathered to see the momentous event.
Meet the Crew
The crew of Shenzhou-20 includes veteran astronaut Chen Dong, 46, who became the first Chinese astronaut to log more than 200 cumulative days in orbit during previous missions. Accompanying him are two first-time space travellers: 40-year-old Chen Zhongrui, a former air force pilot, and 35-year-old Wang Jie, a former space technology engineer. Unlike some earlier missions, this crew is entirely male.
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All three astronauts will replace the current Tiangong crew, who have been in orbit for 175 days and are scheduled to return to Earth on April 29 after completing a brief handover. The new team will remain aboard for approximately six months.
Scientific Objectives and Experiments
While stationed aboard the “Heavenly Palace” — as Tiangong translates — the astronauts will carry out experiments in medical science, physics, and life sciences. Notably, the mission will mark the first time Chinese astronauts bring planarians, a type of flatworm known for its regenerative abilities, into orbit for study. They will also perform spacewalks, install new equipment, and conduct maintenance operations, including installing protective devices to shield the station from space debris.
Growing Public Interest
The launch drew large crowds to the desert site, with spectators waving national flags and carrying flowers. A military band played patriotic tunes as the astronauts, dressed in white spacesuits, waved to the public in front of a bold red banner reading: “Learn from our astronauts! Salute our astronauts!” A kiosk near the base sold toy rockets and mission-themed souvenirs, reflecting growing domestic enthusiasm for China’s space ambitions.
Celestial Ambitions
The Shenzhou-20 mission highlights China’s drive to become a dominant space power. The country’s space programme — controlled by the People’s Liberation Army — has seen rapid development since its first crewed launch in 2003. China has landed rovers on both the Moon and Mars and aims to send humans to the Moon by the end of the decade, with plans to eventually build a lunar base.
Since being excluded from the International Space Station in 2011 due to U.S. national security concerns, China has built its own orbital outpost. Tiangong, fully assembled in 2022, accommodates three astronauts at a time, or six during handovers.
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In a sign of expanding cooperation, China recently signed an agreement with Pakistan to train and potentially send the first foreign astronauts aboard Tiangong. Two Pakistani astronauts will travel to China for training under this deal.