JIUQUAN, Thursday, April 24, 2025 (WNP): China successfully launched the Shenzhou-20 crewed spacecraft on Thursday, sending three astronauts to its orbiting space station for a six-month mission focused on scientific research and technological advancement.

The mission marks a significant milestone in the country’s expanding space ambitions and is the fifth crewed mission under the application and development phase of China’s space station program.

The spacecraft, mounted atop a Long March-2F Y20 carrier rocket, lifted off at 5:17 p.m. Beijing Time from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China. Just ten minutes after liftoff, Shenzhou-20 successfully separated from the launch vehicle and entered its planned orbit, according to the China Manned Space Engineering Office (CMSEO).

The three-member crew—Chen Dong, Chen Zhongrui, and Wang Jie—are reported to be in good health and have commenced autonomous procedures for a rapid rendezvous and docking with the Tiangong space station. Upon docking, they will take over from the Shenzhou-19 crew, continuing China’s uninterrupted human presence in space.

Over the next six months, the crew will conduct 59 scientific experiments and technical demonstrations, with a focus on space life sciences, microgravity physical sciences, and emerging space technologies. Notably, the astronauts will carry out new biological experiments involving zebrafish, planarians, and streptomyces, contributing to a better understanding of life processes in microgravity.

In addition to onboard research, the astronauts will perform multiple extravehicular activities (EVAs). These spacewalks will include the installation of debris shielding, maintenance of external payload platforms, and the deployment and retrieval of scientific instruments.

This latest mission is the 35th launch under China’s manned space program since its inception and increases the tally of Chinese astronauts to 26, with a cumulative 41 missions to space.

CMSEO confirmed that the Tiangong space station is in optimal condition and has already aligned with the docking orbit, ready to receive the Shenzhou-20 crew.

China’s consistent progress in human spaceflight underscores its commitment to becoming a global leader in space exploration, with plans to further expand its space station capabilities and deepen international cooperation in space science.