China Launches Shenzhou 18 Mission to Tiangong Space Station

China launched the Shenzhou 18 spacecraft on April 27, 2024, carrying a three-member crew of astronauts Ye Guangfu, Li Cong, and Li Guangsu to the Tiangong space station. The Long March 2F rocket lifted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the Gobi Desert, with the Shenzhou 18 spacecraft separating from the rocket after 10 minutes of flight, signaling a successful launch.

The mission's objective is for the crew to conduct a six-month mission focused on scientific research and space station maintenance, marking another milestone in China's ambitious space exploration program. During their stay, the astronauts will perform over 90 experiments in fields like microgravity physics, material science, life science, and space technology. This includes the world's first in-orbit aquatic ecological research project using zebrafish and hornwort, as well as a study on plant stem cell adaptation to gravity.

The crew will also conduct spacewalks to install debris protection equipment and carry out inspections to ensure the safety of the space station. They plan to create an aquarium and raise fish in zero gravity as part of their experiments. The mission is supported by the robotic Tianzhou 7 cargo spacecraft, which delivered supplies in January, and the upcoming Tianzhou 8 cargo spacecraft expected to arrive around August.

Why this matters: The Shenzhou 18 mission is part of China's ambitious space program, which aims to put astronauts on the moon by 2030 and build a lunar base. The successful launch and docking with the Tiangong space station demonstrate China's growing capabilities in space exploration and its pursuit to catch up with the United States and Russia in this domain.

The new crew will meet the Shenzhou 17 crew, who will soon return to Earth after their own 6-month stint. During their mission, the Shenzhou 18 astronauts will also deliver live science lectures to school children. Commander Ye Guangfu, a veteran astronaut, is joined by first-time astronauts Li Cong and Li Guangsu on this mission. Li Cong, born in 1989 in Handan, Hebei, is a fighter pilot and member of the People's Liberation Army Astronaut Corps who was selected as a fourth-grade astronaut in 2020 after participating in the 2018 astronaut selection process.

Key Takeaways

• China launched Shenzhou 18 spacecraft with 3-member crew to Tiangong space station.
• Crew to conduct 6-month mission focused on scientific research and space station maintenance.
• Astronauts will perform over 90 experiments, including first in-orbit aquatic ecological research.
• Mission part of China's ambitious space program aiming to put astronauts on the moon by 2030.
• Crew includes veteran astronaut Ye Guangfu and first-time astronauts Li Cong and Li Guangsu.