Shenzhou-23 mission will study long-term human survival in space as China pushes toward a crewed lunar landing.
Image Daily Sabah
China has launched three astronauts into space as part of its growing mission to land humans on the moon by 2030.
The Shenzhou-23 spacecraft blasted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center aboard a Long March-2F rocket and successfully headed toward China’s Tiangong space station.
One astronaut is expected to remain aboard the station for a full year — the longest space stay ever planned by China. The mission will help scientists study how long-term space travel affects the human body.
The crew includes Li Jiaying, the first astronaut from Hong Kong to join a Chinese space mission, along with commander Zhu Yangzhu and pilot Zhang Yuanzhi.
Chinese researchers will monitor the effects of radiation, stress, and bone loss during the mission to improve safety for future lunar exploration.
The mission is considered an important step in China’s race to send astronauts to the moon before 2030 and build a permanent lunar base with Russia by 2035.
China has rapidly expanded its space programme in recent years, including successful moon missions and advanced docking technology tests.
The Shenzhou-23 mission will also test systems needed for future moon landings and deep-space travel.
