China marked another milestone in its space exploration program Thursday with the successful launch of the Shenzhou-20 crewed spacecraft, carrying three astronauts to the nation’s orbiting space station. The mission, led by veteran astronauts Chen Dong, Chen Zhongrui, and Wang Jie, will see the team conduct scientific experiments and technical verifications during their six-month stay.
As the Long March-2F rocket roared to life from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, families of the crew watched the historic moment via livestream, cheering and waving Chinese flags. Relatives described the launch as a “proud moment for both our family and the nation,” highlighting the emotional intersection of personal sacrifice and national ambition.
The Shenzhou-20 mission represents a critical step in China’s plans to operationalize its space station, with crews now conducting regular rotations. Analysts note the program’s growing emphasis on long-term habitation technologies, life science research, and international collaboration opportunities under the UN-approved payload initiative.
With 18 completed space missions since 2021, China continues to solidify its position as a key player in extraterrestrial research. The current crew’s work is expected to lay groundwork for future lunar exploration projects and advanced astrophysics studies.
