Latest news with #LongMarch2F
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
China's Shenzhou 20 astronauts take control of Tiangong space station (video)
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. China's outgoing Shenzhou 19 crew have handed over the reins of the Tiangong space station to a new set of astronauts. The Shenzhou 20 mission launched on a Long March 2F rocket from Jiuquan spaceport in northwest China on April 24. The spacecraft arrived at the Tiangong space station 6.5 hours later, completing its rendezvous and docking at 11:49 a.m. EDT (1549 GMT, 11:49 p.m. Beijing time). The Shenzhou 19 crew — Cai Xuzhe, Song Lingdong and Wang Haoze, who have been living aboard Tiangong since October — greeted the three Shenzhou 20 astronauts inside Tiangong around 90 minutes later, once the hatch between the spacecraft and space station was opened. After spending a few days together, all six astronauts then participated in a handover ceremony on Sunday (April 27), seeing the Shenzhou 20 crew take command of Tiangong. "This key symbolizes not only the handover between our two crew groups, but also a heavy mission and responsibility. Now, I'm handing the key into your hands, and you will be responsible for managing, caring for and maintaining the space station," said Cai, commander of Shenzhou 19. "Thank you, Shenzhou 19 crew, for taking such good care of our space home," Chen Dong, Shenzhou 20 commander, said after receiving the key. 'We assure you and our country and the people that we will, just like you, carefully and meticulously complete every task and do our part well," said Chen. Related stories: — China's Shenzhou 20 astronauts arrive at Tiangong space station (video) — Tiangong astronauts experiment with AI robot and more to kick off busy year for Chinese human spaceflight (video) — China's space station, Tiangong: A complete guide Chen's crewmates are Chen Zhongrui, a former pilot in the People's Liberation Army Air Force, and Wang Jie, an aerospace engineer, both of whom were selected as astronauts in 2020 and are making their first visits to space. The trio will spend around six months aboard Tiangong. Their mission will include extravehicular activities, or spacewalks, and outreach events, as well as conducting a range of science experiments and installing and retrieving science payloads outside Tiangong. The Shenzhou 19 astronauts, meanwhile, are now preparing to return home. They will soon depart in their Shenzhou spacecraft and are due to land in the Dongfeng landing area, near Jiuquan spaceport, on April 29. Their mission involved record-breaking spacewalks, experiments and cooperating with an AI robot.
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
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
China steps up space race with another successful rocket launch
China has launched three astronauts into space on Thursday, marking a further step in the country's ambitions for a crewed mission to the Moon and explore Mars. The Shenzhou 20 spaceship was launched as planned atop China's workhorse Long March 2F rocket at 17:17 local time. It was set to reach the Tiangong space station about 6.5 hours later. The rocket lifted off from the launch centre in Jiuquan, on the edge of the Gobi Desert in northwestern China. The ship will remain in space before returning the current crew. 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. Related Europe's defence sector bets on space amid growing geopolitical threats Soyuz MS-26 spacecraft carrying Expedition 72 crew lands in Kazakhstan The Tiangong, or 'Heavenly Palace', space station has made China a major contender in space, providing an entirely Chinese-built platform after the country was excluded from the International Space Station over US national security concerns. China's space programme 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 raised concerns from other powers that China could use them to disable satellites or other space vehicles during a crisis.
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
China's Shenzhou 20 astronauts arrive at Tiangong space station (video)
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. China's latest astronaut crew has reached its orbital destination. The three-person Shenzhou 20 mission arrived at China's Tiangong space station today (April 24) at 11:49 a.m. EDT (1549 GMT), beginning a six-month stay aboard the outpost. Their off-Earth chase was brief: Shenzhou 20 launched atop a Long March 2F rocket from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China today at 5:17 a.m. EDT (0917 GMT; 5:17 p.m. Beijing time). Shenzhou 20 consists of commander Chen Dong, who is on his third spaceflight, and Chen Zhongrui and Wang Jie, both of whom are rookies. The trio are joining the three-person Shenzhou 19 crew aboard Tiangong, though the overlap will be brief: Shenzhou 19 is expected to head back down to Earth on April 29. Shenzhou 20 is the ninth astronaut mission to reach Tiangong, a T-shaped outpost that's about 20% as massive as the International Space Station. China finished assembling the three-module Tiangong in October 2022, though the nation's space officials have said that they may add more modules to it in the future. Related stories: — China reveals Shenzhou 20 astronaut crew launching to Tiangong space station — Tiangong astronauts experiment with AI robot and more to kick off busy year for Chinese human spaceflight (video) — China's space station, Tiangong: A complete guide Shenzhou 20's launch and docking came on a big spaceflight anniversary: On April 24, 1990, NASA's iconic Hubble Space Telescope reached orbit aboard the space shuttle Discovery. Hubble famously deployed with a flawed primary mirror, which made its initial images blurry. But spacewalking astronauts fixed that problem in December 1993. Hubble was maintained and upgraded on four additional servicing missions, which launched in February 1997, December 1999, March 2002 and May 2009.
Euronews
24-04-2025
- Science
- Euronews
China steps up space race with another successful rocket launch
ADVERTISEMENT China has launched three astronauts into space on Thursday, marking a further step in the country's ambitions for a crewed mission to the Moon and explore Mars. The Shenzhou 20 spaceship was launched as planned atop China's workhorse Long March 2F rocket at 17:17 local time. It was set to reach the Tiangong space station about 6.5 hours later. The rocket lifted off from the launch centre in Jiuquan, on the edge of the Gobi Desert in northwestern China. The ship will remain in space before returning the current crew. 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. Related Europe's defence sector bets on space amid growing geopolitical threats Soyuz MS-26 spacecraft carrying Expedition 72 crew lands in Kazakhstan The Tiangong, or 'Heavenly Palace', space station has made China a major contender in space, providing an entirely Chinese-built platform after the country was excluded from the International Space Station over US national security concerns. China's space programme 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 raised concerns from other powers that China could use them to disable satellites or other space vehicles during a crisis.
