Shenzhou-23 Mission Launches Successfully
The Shenzhou-23 mission blasted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre on Sunday night, sending three astronauts to the orbiting Chinese space station Tiangong as Beijing continues to expand its space programme.
“The Long March-2F Y23 carrier rocket has accurately sent the Shenzhou-23 manned spacecraft to the predetermined orbit. The spacecraft is functioning normally. I hereby announce the Shenzhou-23 manned spacecraft launch mission a complete success,” Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre official Li Benqi announced.
Crowds Cheer Astronauts At Launch Centre
Footage shows hundreds of people cheering and waving Chinese flags in the yard of the launch centre as they saw off astronauts Zhang Zhiyuan, Lai Ka-ying and mission commander Zhu Yangzhu at a special send-off ceremony.
“Thank you to our country and the people for your support. We will certainly live up to our mission. Let’s do our best!” said Zhang Zhiyuan.
“I feel great, and I can really feel everyone’s enthusiasm. China’s space station, here I come,” Lai Ka-ying added.
Diverse Crew Embarks On Scientific Mission
The crew includes 43-year-old Lai, a former police officer and the first astronaut from China’s Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. She is joined by 39-year-old Zhang, a former first-class pilot in a unit of the People’s Liberation Army Air Force, and 39-year-old Zhu, China’s first flight engineer to serve as mission commander.
The crew is expected to carry out research in life sciences, materials science, fluid physics and medicine, as well as other applied projects.
One of the mission’s key experiments will involve one astronaut spending a full year in orbit to study the effects of long-term microgravity on human adaptability and performance.
China Advances Ambitious Space Programme
China is rapidly developing its space programme, with plans to land astronauts on the Moon before 2030 and establish a permanent lunar base with Russia by 2035.
Article by Viory
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