China's Shenzhou 23 spacecraft launches with 3 astronauts
AP News • • general
Key Points:
- China launched the Shenzhou 23 spacecraft from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, carrying three astronauts to its Tiangong space station, including one set to stay in space for a year.
- The crew includes commander Zhu Yangzhu, Zhang Zhiyuan, and Lai Ka-ying, the first astronaut from Hong Kong, who holds a doctoral degree in computer forensics.
- The mission aims to conduct numerous scientific and application projects, as well as complete an in-orbit crew rotation with the Shenzhou 21 team, who have been aboard for over 200 days.
- The year-long stay by one astronaut will explore human adaptability and performance limits in long-duration spaceflight, marking one of the longest single space missions globally.
- China's expanding space program, including the Tiangong station established after exclusion from the ISS, is part of its broader goal to achieve a crewed lunar landing by 2030 amid competition with the U.S. space efforts.