JIUQUAN SATELLITE LAUNCH CENTER, China (AP) — China launched a three-member crew to its orbiting space station on Thursday as part of its ambitious program that aims to put astronauts on the moon by 2030.
The Shenzhou-18 spacecraft lifted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center on the edge of the Gobi Desert in northwestern China atop a Long March 2-F rocket at 8:59 p.m. (1259 GMT).
The spacecraft’s three-member crew will relieve the Shenzhou-17 team, which has been staffing China’s Tiangong space station since last October.
The China Manned Space Agency, or CMSA, held a send-off ceremony — complete with flag-waving children and patriotic music — for the Shenzhou-18 crew earlier on Thursday, as the three astronauts prepared to enter the spacecraft.
The trio is made of Commander Ye Guangfu, 43, a veteran astronaut who took part in the Shenzhou-13 mission in 2021, and fighter pilots Li Cong, 34, and Li Guangsu, 36, who are spaceflight rookies.
Related articles:
Related suggestion:
China's central bank to enhance implementation of monetary policiesClark Laidlaw: a Scot in Super Rugby. New Hurricanes coach makes a mark.Iraqi president visits Cyprus for 1st timeKowalczyk's first career goal sends Dynamo past Minnesota United 2Iraqi president visits Cyprus for 1st timeInterview: China responsible, proactive player in global climate governance, says Kuwaiti expertModel and influencer Nara Smith welcomes baby number three with husband Lucky Blue SmithSports equipment exports from Yiwu to France surge 70 percent ahead of Paris Olympics2nd Airbus Tianjin A320 Family Final Assembly Line Project under constructionXinhua's top 10 world news events in 2023
0.1265s , 6497.859375 kb
Copyright © 2024 Powered by China launches 3 ,Worldly Workshop news portal