Latest news with #LongMarch-2F
Kuwait Times
22-05-2025
- Science
- Kuwait Times
Chinese rocket blasts off to its space station
JIUQUAN, China: A Chinese rocket carrying three astronauts to the country's space station blasted off from its remote launch site Thursday, the latest milestone in Beijing's race to become a leading celestial power. Beijing has pumped billions of dollars into its space program in recent years in an effort to achieve what President Xi Jinping describes as the Chinese people's 'space dream'. The world's second-largest economy has bold plans to send a crewed mission to the Moon by the end of the decade and eventually build a base on the lunar surface. Thursday's launch of the Shenzhou-20 mission is intended to ferry a team of three astronauts to China's Tiangong space station. The Long March-2F rocket lifted into the air in a plume of flame and smoke at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Base in the desert of northwest China, AFP journalists saw, heralding the start of the six-month mission. Leading the newest crew is Chen Dong, 46, a former fighter pilot and veteran space explorer who in 2022 became the first Chinese astronaut to clock up more than 200 cumulative days in orbit. The other two crew members - 40-year-old former air force pilot Chen Zhongrui, and 35-year-old former space technology engineer Wang Jie - are embarking on their first space flight. Hundreds of people brandishing bouquets and miniature national flags packed into the streets of the space base hours before the launch to see the astronauts off on Thursday afternoon. A band played a rousing military march as the trio, clad in white spacesuits, waved in front of a red banner proclaiming: 'Learn from our astronauts! Salute our astronauts!' 'We wish you success!' the crowd shouted in unison as the crew members passed. Live images on state television then showed the three astronauts being transported by bus to the launch site, beyond which vast stretches of empty desert could be seen. The crew will work on Tiangong for six months, carrying out experiments in physics and life sciences and installing protective equipment against space debris. For the first time, they will also bring aboard planarians — aquatic flatworms known for their regenerative abilities. The team will also conduct spacewalks, replenish supplies and carry out general maintenance on the space station. Three astronauts currently aboard Tiangong are scheduled to return to Earth on April 29 after completing handover procedures. Busloads of space enthusiasts waited by a barren highway several hours ahead of Thursday's launch, braving the high desert sun to catch a glimpse of the rocket perched on the horizon. A kiosk by the entrance to the launch base did brisk trade in toy rockets and mission-themed memorabilia. During a government tour on Wednesday afternoon, AFP journalists saw the rocket ensconced in a sky-blue launch tower, surrounded by red flags as workers in blue jumpsuits made final checks before the launch. China's space program is the third to put humans in orbit and has also landed robotic rovers on Mars and the Moon as it seeks parity with the world's two most established celestial powers, the United States and Russia. Crewed by rotating teams of three astronauts every six months, Tiangong — whose name means 'celestial palace' in Chinese — is the jewel in its crown. China has been excluded from the International Space Station since 2011, when the United States banned NASA from collaborating with Beijing. It has since sought to bring other countries into its space program, and signed a deal with longtime ally Pakistan in February to bring the first foreign astronaut aboard Tiangong. As part of this process, 'two Pakistani astronauts will be selected to come to China for training', the CMSA confirmed on Wednesday. — AFP
Kyodo News
25-04-2025
- Automotive
- Kyodo News
Kyodo News Digest: April 24, 2025
KYODO NEWS - Apr 24, 2025 - 23:00 | All, Japan, World The following is the latest list of selected news summaries by Kyodo News. ---------- Japan negotiator to visit U.S. from Wednesday for more tariff talks TOKYO - Ryosei Akazawa, Japan's chief representative in tariff negotiations with the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, is arranging a three-day trip from next Wednesday to the United States for a second round of talks, a ruling party executive said. Akazawa, economic revitalization minister, known as a close aide to Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, traveled to Washington last week for discussions with U.S. officials including Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, as well as with Trump. Akazawa is expected to return to Japan on May 2, the executive said Thursday. ---------- U.S. has no specific currency targets in Japan tariff talks: Bessent WASHINGTON - The United States has "absolutely no currency targets" in its trade negotiations with Japan, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Wednesday, as the two countries aim to find some middle ground following President Donald Trump's imposition of severe tariffs on imports. Bessent's statement, making it clear that the Trump administration will not pursue specific foreign exchange rates in the talks, came a day ahead of a meeting with Japanese Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato in Washington, with currency policy likely to top the agenda. ---------- Quality scandal sends Toyota global output down for 1st time in 4 yrs TOKYO - Toyota Motor Corp. said Thursday its global production for the year ended March fell 2.9 percent from a year earlier to 9.68 million units, marking the first decline in four years, following a quality-related scandal. In fiscal 2024, global sales edged down 0.3 percent to 10.27 million units, after the automaker was found to have failed to fully comply with government vehicle safety testing standards, it said. ---------- Osaka casino resort starts construction near 2025 Expo venue OSAKA - Construction for a casino resort began Thursday in Osaka at a site close to the venue of the 2025 World Exposition, despite concerns about noise affecting the ongoing international event. The construction comes as the operator and local governments prepare to open the so-called integrated resort, or IR, comprised of a large hotel, conference facilities and gambling areas, on Yumeshima, an artificial island in Osaka Bay, in 2030. ---------- China launches manned rocket for space station mission BEIJING - China launched a rocket carrying three astronauts to its space station on Thursday to replace three who have been aboard since last October, Chinese state-run media reported. A Long March-2F rocket carrying the Shenzhou-20 spacecraft lifted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in China's northwest province of Gansu. ---------- BYD to introduce mini EV model designed for Japan in 2026 TOKYO - The Japanese unit of Chinese electric vehicle giant BYD Co. said Thursday it will introduce a mini electric vehicle model specifically designed for the Japanese market in the latter half of 2026, as it aims to boost sales with the new compact car. Details such as the driving distance on a single charge and the price of the new EV model have yet to be disclosed, but the EV maker is considering the price at around 2.5 million yen ($17,500), according to a source familiar with the matter. ---------- Nissan sees wider FY 2024 net loss of up to 750 bil. yen TOKYO - Nissan Motor Co. said Thursday it estimates a net loss of 700 billion yen ($4.9 billion) to 750 billion yen for the year ended March due to restructuring charges, far wider than its earlier forecast of an 80-billion-yen loss. The automaker now sees an operating profit of 85 billion yen for the just-ended fiscal year, down from the earlier forecast 120 billion yen while sales are projected at 12.6 trillion yen, slightly up from the previous estimate of 12.5 trillion yen. ---------- All 4 giant pandas at western Japan zoo to return to China in June WAKAYAMA, Japan - All four giant pandas on loan to a western Japan zoo will return to China around late June, ahead of the expiration of their lease agreement, the zoo operator said Thursday. The 24-year-old Rauhin and her children -- Yuihin, 8, Saihin, 6, and Fuhin, 4 -- will leave Adventure World amusement park in Shirahama, Wakayama Prefecture, for their new home at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in China's Sichuan Province, according to the operator. Video: Turkey holds national day event at Osaka Expo
Gulf Today
25-04-2025
- Science
- Gulf Today
China launches 3 astronauts to replace crew on Chinese space station
China has launched three astronauts into space to replace the crew on the Chinese Tiangong space station, marking a further step in the country's ambitions for a crewed mission to the moon and explore Mars. The Shenzhou 20 spaceship took off as planned atop China's workhorse Long March 2F rocket at 5:17 p.m. local time (0917 GMT). It will reach the Tiangong about 6.5 hours later. The rocket lifted off from the launch center in Jiuquan, on the edge of the Gobi Desert in northwestern China. The spaceship will remain in space before returning the current crew. (L-R) Astronauts Wang Jie, Chen Zhongrui and Chen Dong wave during a departure ceremony at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre. AFP The Tiangong, or "Heavenly Palace,' space station has made China a major contender in space, especially since it was entirely Chinese-built after the country was excluded from the International Space Station over US national security concerns. China's space program is controlled by the People's Liberation Army, the military branch of the ruling Communist Party. The addition of mechanical arms to the three-module station has also raised concerns from some that China could use them to disable satellites or other space vehicles during a crisis. A Long March-2F carrier rocket, carrying the Shenzhou-20 spacecraft and a crew of three astronauts, lifts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in the Gobi desert, in northwest China on April 24, 2025. (Photo by Pedro Pardo / AFP) Since first launching a man into space in 2003 - becoming only the third country to do so - China's space program has advanced at a steady pace. The space agency has also landed an explorer on Mars and a rover on the less-explored far side of the moon, and aims to put a person on the moon before 2030. The Shenzhou, or "Celestial Vessel,' 20 mission will be commanded by Chen Dong, who is making his third flight. He will be accompanied by fighter pilot Chen Zhongrui and engineer Wang Jie, both making their maiden voyages, according to the China Manned Space Agency. Unlike previous crews, Shenzhou 20 is entirely male. People watch the launch of a Long March-2F carrier rocket, carrying the Shenzhou-20 spacecraft and a crew of three astronauts, from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre. AFP They will replace three astronauts currently on the Chinese space station. Like those before them, they will stay on board for roughly six months. The space ship is due to be launched into space atop China's workhorse Long March 2F rocket at 5:17pm local time (0917 GMT) and reach the Tiangong about 6.5 hours later. The three-person crew was sent in October last year and they have been in space for 175 days. They are due to return on April 29 after a brief overlap with their replacements. The Tiangong, fully assembled in October 2022, can accommodate up to six people at a time. While in space, the astronauts will conduct experiments in medical science and new technologies and perform space walks to carry out maintenance and install new equipment, the Manned Space Agency said. Associated Press
NZ Herald
25-04-2025
- Science
- NZ Herald
Chinese rocket launches three astronauts to Tiangong space station
The Long March-2F rocket lifted into the air in a plume of flame and smoke at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Base in the desert of northwest China, AFP journalists saw, heralding the start of the six-month mission. Leading the newest crew is Chen Dong, 46, a former fighter pilot and veteran space explorer who in 2022 became the first Chinese astronaut to clock up more than 200 cumulative days in orbit. The other two crew members – 40-year-old former air force pilot Chen Zhongrui, and 35-year-old former space technology engineer Wang Jie – are embarking on their first space flight. Hundreds of people brandishing bouquets and miniature national flags packed into the streets of the space base hours before the launch to see the astronauts off on Thursday afternoon. A band played a rousing military march as the trio, clad in white spacesuits, waved in front of a red banner proclaiming: 'Learn from our astronauts! Salute our astronauts!' 'We wish you success!' the crowd shouted in unison as the crew members passed. Live images on state television then showed the three astronauts being transported by bus to the launch site, beyond which vast stretches of empty desert could be seen. The crew will work on Tiangong for six months, carrying out experiments in physics and life sciences and installing protective equipment against space debris. For the first time, they will also bring aboard planarians – aquatic flatworms known for their regenerative abilities. The team will also conduct spacewalks, replenish supplies and carry out general maintenance on the space station. Three astronauts now on Tiangong are scheduled to return to Earth on April 29 after completing handover procedures. Busloads of space enthusiasts waited by a barren highway for several hours before Thursday's launch, braving the high desert sun to catch a glimpse of the rocket perched on the horizon. A kiosk by the entrance to the launch base did brisk trade in toy rockets and mission-themed memorabilia. Jewel in the crown During a government tour on Wednesday afternoon, AFP journalists saw the rocket ensconced in a sky-blue launch tower, surrounded by red flags as workers in blue jumpsuits made final checks before the launch. China's space programme is the third to put humans in orbit and has also landed robotic rovers on Mars and the moon as it seeks parity with the world's two most established celestial powers, the United States and Russia. Crewed by rotating teams of three astronauts every six months, Tiangong – whose name means 'celestial palace' in Chinese – is the jewel in its crown. China has been excluded from the International Space Station since 2011, when the US banned Nasa from collaborating with Beijing. It has since sought to bring other countries into its space programme and signed a deal with longtime ally Pakistan in February to bring the first foreign astronaut aboard Tiangong. As part of this process, 'two Pakistani astronauts will be selected to come to China for training', the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) confirmed this week.
Straits Times
24-04-2025
- Science
- Straits Times
China launches Shenzhou-20 mission to Chinese space station, state media report
Astronauts Chen Dong, Chen Zhongrui and Wang Jie meet the press before the upcoming Shenzhou-20 spaceflight mission, at Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center near Jiuquan, Gansu province, China April 23, 2025. China Daily via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS PICTURE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. CHINA OUT. NO COMMERCIAL OR EDITORIAL SALES IN CHINA. Astronauts Chen Dong, Chen Zhongrui and Wang Jie attend a see-off ceremony for the Shenzhou-20 spaceflight mission at Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center near Jiuquan, Gansu province, China April 24, 2025. China Daily via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS PICTURE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. CHINA OUT. NO COMMERCIAL OR EDITORIAL SALES IN CHINA. BEIJING - China sent three astronauts to its permanently inhabited space station on Thursday in its 15th crewed spaceflight and 20th overall in the Shenzhou program that started more than three decades ago. The spacecraft Shenzhou-20 and the crew lifted off atop a Long March-2F rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in northwest China at 5:17 p.m. (0917 GMT), according to state broadcaster CCTV. The spaceship successfully docked with the space station, state news agency Xinhua reported later in the day, citing the China Manned Space Agency. The launch comes as China's advances in lunar and space exploration are drawing in more countries. Pakistan is carrying out a preliminary selection of astronauts, one of whom will eventually be sent to space on a future Shenzhou spaceflight and become the first foreign astronaut to enter China's Tiangong space station. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
