Overview

• The Shenzhou-20 mission is scheduled to launch today at 5:17 PM local time from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the Gobi Desert.
• The crew includes experienced astronaut Chen Dong, returning for his third mission, alongside first-time astronauts Chen Zhongrui and Wang Jie.
• The mission will focus on physical and bioscience experiments, as well as implementing measures to mitigate orbital debris risks.
• The outgoing crew aboard the Tiangong space station is set to return to Earth on April 29 following a handover to the Shenzhou-20 team.
• This mission aligns with China's long-term space goals, including hosting foreign astronauts, such as those from Pakistan, and achieving a crewed lunar landing by 2030.