In a landmark moment for China's space exploration program, the Shenzhou-20 astronauts successfully boarded the China Space Station early Thursday, joining the Shenzhou-19 crew for the sixth orbital crew handover in the nation's aerospace history. The China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) confirmed the mission's progress, highlighting the growing sophistication of China's crewed space operations.
At 1:17 a.m. local time, the Shenzhou-19 team opened their module hatch to welcome the new arrivals. The six astronauts—now sharing the station’s confined yet pioneering environment—captured commemorative group photos, marking another step in China's ambition to maintain a permanent human presence in low-Earth orbit.
Over the next five days, the crews will collaborate to finalize technical handovers and conduct scheduled experiments. This joint effort underscores the technical precision required for extended space missions. The Shenzhou-19 team is expected to conclude their stay on April 29, returning to the Dongfeng landing site in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.
China's space station, operational since 2022, continues to serve as a hub for scientific research in microgravity, materials science, and life-support systems. These crew transitions are critical to maintaining uninterrupted operations, positioning China as a key player in international space collaboration.
