China launches Shenzhou-20 crewed spacecraft to Tiangong space station

In a significant milestone for China’s space program, the Shenzhou-20 crewed spaceship successfully launched on April 24, sending three astronauts on a six-month mission to the country’s orbiting Tiangong space station.

The spacecraft lifted off at 2:26 p.m. Beijing Time atop a Long March-2F carrier rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, Caliber.Az reports citing Chinese media.

The launch marked another step forward in China's growing ambitions in space exploration.

A send-off ceremony, attended by officials from the China Manned Space Agency, preceded the launch. Commander-in-chief of China’s manned space program, Xu Xueqiang, oversaw the mission's final preparations.

The three astronauts, Chen Dong, Chen Zhongrui, and Wang Jie, were entrusted with the mission to carry out scientific research and maintenance tasks aboard the Tiangong space station, marking their vital roles in the nation's long-term space objectives.

The launch comes just as the Shenzhou-19 crew nears the end of their six-month stay in orbit. The current crew is preparing for the arrival of the Shenzhou-20 team, a handover that will ensure continued operations aboard the Tiangong station.

This mission further cements China's growing capabilities in space exploration, as the nation advances its goal to maintain a permanent human presence in space. The Shenzhou-20 crewed spaceship is expected to play a key role in the ongoing construction and expansion of the Tiangong space station, which is central to China’s space ambitions.

The success of this launch follows a series of notable achievements in China’s space program, which has rapidly expanded in scope and technological sophistication. The Shenzhou-20 mission will continue China’s work in space research, scientific collaboration, and technology development, reinforcing the country’s position as a rising space power.

By Vafa Guliyeva