China launches Shenzhou 23 spacecraft with 1 of 3 astronauts set for yearlong stay
China successfully launched the Shenzhou 23 spacecraft carrying three astronauts to its space station. One astronaut is set to stay in space for a year, marking one of the longest single stays in space. This mission is part of China's broader efforts to advance its space program and prepare for a crewed lunar landing by 2030.
- ▪The Shenzhou 23 spacecraft launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwestern China.
- ▪Astronaut Lai Ka-ying, the first from Hong Kong, will stay at the Tiangong space station for a year.
- ▪The crew will conduct numerous science projects and complete an in-orbit rotation with the Shenzhou 21 crew.
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JIUQUAN, China — China launched the Shenzhou 23 spacecraft Sunday night with three astronauts heading to its space station, including one set to stay in space for a year. The spacecraft blasted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwestern China. The much-anticipated launch comes as China prepares for its first crewed lunar landing by 2030. The astronauts on the mission are Zhu Yangzhu, the commander, Zhang Zhiyuan and Lai Ka-ying, also identified by Chinese authorities as Li Jiaying using the Mandarin transliteration of her name. Lai, who was born and raised in Hong Kong and has a doctoral degree in computer forensics, is the first astronaut from the city on a space mission. The crew is set to conduct dozens of science and application projects, state media said.
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