China

China successfully launches Shenzhou 18 spacecraft with a three-person crew to join Tiangong space station, advancing its ambitions in space exploration.

China marked another milestone in its space exploration journey with the successful launch of the Shenzhou 18 spacecraft, carrying a three-person crew, from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the Gobi Desert. The Long March 2F rocket lifted off at 8:59 a.m. EDT on April 25, 2024, carrying veteran astronaut Ye Guangfu, alongside spaceflight rookies Li Cong and Li Guangsu.

Following a flawless launch, the Shenzhou spacecraft separated from its launch vehicle approximately 10 minutes into the flight, confirming the success of the mission. Commanded by Ye Guangfu, who previously participated in the Shenzhou 13 mission, the crew is set to spend approximately six months in space.

Ye Guangfu expressed a sense of duty and responsibility ahead of the launch, highlighting the difference between his first spaceflight filled with excitement and curiosity, and the current mission characterized by a sense of mission and duty.

The Shenzhou 18 spacecraft is scheduled to dock with the Tiangong space station approximately 6.5 hours after liftoff. The crew will join the Shenzhou 17 crew aboard the orbital outpost, who are completing their six-month mission and preparing to return to Earth.

Upon arrival at Tiangong, the Shenzhou 18 crew will engage in various activities, including extravehicular activities (EVAs), live science lectures to school children in China, and a series of cargo and science experiments. Lin Xiqiang, deputy director of the China Manned Space Agency, outlined plans for six cargo outbound deliveries via the station's cargo airlock module and two to three extravehicular activities during a recent press conference unveiling the Shenzhou 18 crew.

The crew's supplies, delivered by the Tianzhou 7 cargo spacecraft in January, will be replenished around August by the Tianzhou 8 spacecraft, bringing fresh supplies, equipment, and experiments to Tiangong.

Meanwhile, preparations for the upcoming Shenzhou 19 mission are underway at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. A new Long March 2F rocket will be maintained in a state of near readiness, ensuring it can be launched promptly as a lifeboat in the event of an emergency.

China's Tiangong space station, constructed in 2021 and completed in late 2022, has been hosting crews of three astronauts for six-month durations. The station, roughly 20% of the mass of the International Space Station, is intended for permanent occupation for at least a decade. China is considering future expansions and opening the outpost to commercial activities.

In conclusion, the successful launch of the Shenzhou 18 mission demonstrates China's continued progress in space exploration and its commitment to establishing a long-term presence in space. With plans for further missions and the expansion of the Tiangong space station, China is poised to play a significant role in shaping the future of space exploration.