China sends crew to space
China has launched three astronauts to its continuously inhabited space station for a six-month mission as part of the routine rotation of Chinese astronauts aboard the “Tiangong” orbiting high above the Earth’s atmosphere.
The spacecraft Shenzhou-18, also known as the “Divine Vessel,” along with its three crew members, lifted off atop a Long March-2F rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in northwest China at 8:58 pm, as reported by state media.
Heading the six-month mission was 43-year-old Ye Guangfu, who previously visited Tiangong, also known as the “Heavenly Palace” in Chinese, in October 2021 during China’s second crewed mission to the station.
Joining him on this mission were Li Cong, 34, and Li Guangsu, 36, both making their debut spaceflights and originating from the latest group of astronauts in China’s space program. All three individuals are former air force pilots.
Tiangong, finished in late 2022, has the capacity to accommodate a maximum of three astronauts for extended periods at an orbital altitude of up to 450km. It boasts a planned operational lifespan of at least 15 years.
With a planned operational lifespan of at least 15 years, China has been launching two crewed missions to Tiangong annually since 2021, when construction of the outpost commenced, with Shenzhou-18 marking the seventh mission.
Each crew typically remains aboard for approximately six months, conducting spacewalks and scientific experiments within the station’s low-gravity environment.
Tiangong has emerged as a symbol of China’s self-assurance in its space initiatives following decades of exclusion from the NASA-led International Space Station.
China is prohibited by US law from engaging in any form of collaboration, whether direct or indirect, with NASA.
Shenzhou-18 represents China’s 13th crewed mission to space since Yang Liwei’s solo spaceflight in October 2003. Yang made history as the first Chinese citizen to journey into space.
