China has successfully launched its crewed spacecraft “Shenzhou-19,” which is set to undertake a six-month mission aboard its independently developed space station.
The China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) confirmed that Shenzhou-19 was launched at 4:27 a.m. Wednesday, transporting three astronauts: Commander Cai Xuzhe, Song Lingdong, and Wang Haoze. Notably, Wang Haoze is the third female astronaut to participate in a crewed mission for China. Cai Xuzhe is recognized as a veteran astronaut, having previously completed the Shenzhou-18 mission in 2022.
During their stay abroad in Tiangong, the crew undertook 86 experiments and tests. CMSA spokesperson Lin Xiqiang shared that the astronauts will also perform spacewalks and install space debris protection devices, external payloads, and other equipment in addition to their experiments. The astronauts who departed Earth in April are expected to return to China’s Dongfeng landing site aboard Shenzhou-18 after transferring their duties to the new crew.
Tiangong, which translates to “Heavenly Palace,” was completed in 2022 and consists of the core module, “Tianhe,” launched in April 2021 and subsequently attached the experimental modules “Wentian” and “Mengtian” to create the T-shaped configuration of Tiangong. Wentian serves as a laboratory and living quarters, equipped with sleeping areas, bathrooms, and a kitchen, while Mengtian is dedicated to microgravity, physics, and aerospace technology experiments. China sends astronauts to Tiangong twice a year to advance its space research. Shenzhou-19 represents the fourth mission since the completion of Tiangong.
As the International Space Station (ISS) approaches its planned retirement in 2030, China is positioning Tiangong as a future cornerstone of low-Earth orbit research. The ISS, five times the size of Tiangong, has hosted over 270 astronauts for numerous experiments over its 25-year lifespan. SpaceX, led by CEO Elon Musk, will oversee its dismantling. NASA plans to collaborate with private companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin to launch a new space station by the early 2030s.
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