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4d ago

China Set to Launch Shenzhou-20 Crew to Tiangong Space Station

The mission, led by veteran astronaut Chen Dong, will begin a six-month stint focused on experiments, maintenance, and preparation for future lunar exploration.

Chinese astronauts for the Shenzhou 20 mission, from right, Chen Zhongrui, Chen Dong and Wang Jie wave as they attend a send-off ceremony for their manned space mission at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwestern China, Thursday, April 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
Chinese astronauts for the Shenzhou 20 mission, from right, Chen Zhongrui, Chen Dong and Wang Jie wave as they attend a send-off ceremony for their manned space mission at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwestern China, Thursday, April 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
Chinese astronauts for the Shenzhou 20 mission, from right, Chen Zhongrui, Chen Dong and Wang Jie wave as they attend a send-off ceremony for their manned space mission at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwestern China, Thursday, April 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
Chinese astronauts for the Shenzhou 20 mission, from right, Chen Zhongrui, Chen Dong and Wang Jie wave as they attend a send-off ceremony for their manned space mission at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwestern China, Thursday, April 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

Overview

  • The Shenzhou-20 mission will launch at 5:17 pm local time on April 24, 2025, from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in China’s Gobi Desert.
  • The crew includes commander Chen Dong, on his third spaceflight, and first-time astronauts Chen Zhongrui and Wang Jie.
  • During their six-month mission, the team will conduct experiments in medical science, life sciences, and new technologies, while also performing spacewalks and station maintenance.
  • For the first time, planarians, known for their regenerative abilities, will be brought aboard Tiangong for scientific research.
  • The current crew aboard Tiangong will return to Earth on April 29 after completing a handover with the incoming team.