By Chris Stone
Shenzhou 23 has been launched by China National Space
Administration, sending three astronauts to the country’s space station in a
mission that includes an unusual and ambitious plan — keeping one crew member
in space for an entire year.
The rocket lifted off on Sunday night from the Jiuquan Satellite
Launch Centre in north-western China, marking another step forward in Beijing’s
rapidly expanding space programme.
The launch is being closely watched around the world, not only
because of the technical demands of the mission, but also because China is
steadily moving towards a planned crewed landing on the Moon by 2030.
On board the spacecraft are three astronauts: commander Zhu Yangzhu,
Zhang Zhiyuan, and Lai Ka-ying, who is also known in official Chinese records
as Li Jiaying.
Lai Ka-ying’s inclusion in the mission is making history. Born and
raised in Hong Kong, she becomes the first astronaut from the city to travel
into space. She holds a doctorate in computer forensics, bringing a strong
scientific background to the mission and highlighting China’s growing effort to
bring highly trained specialists into its space programme.
The crew is heading to the Tiangong space station, which has become
the backbone of China’s human spaceflight operations since it was first
occupied in 2021. The station, whose name means “Heavenly Palace”, now
regularly hosts rotating teams of astronauts carrying out scientific and technical
work in orbit.
According to Chinese state media, the Shenzhou 23 crew will be
involved in dozens of experiments and practical research projects during their
stay. These include studies in space medicine, materials science, Earth
observation, and advanced technologies that could support future long-term
missions beyond low Earth orbit.
One of the most significant parts of the mission is the planned
long-duration stay by one crew member, who is expected to remain aboard
Tiangong for around a year. If completed, it would be among the longest
continuous human stays in space ever attempted.
The purpose of the extended mission is to study how the human body
and mind cope with long periods in space. Researchers want to better understand
physical strength, mental resilience and overall performance when astronauts
are far from Earth for extended periods.
Officials say this type of research will be vital as China prepares
for deeper space exploration, including future missions to the Moon and
possibly beyond.
The Shenzhou 23 team is also expected to carry out an in-orbit
handover with the current crew of Shenzhou 21, who have already spent more than
200 days aboard the space station. This type of crew rotation is now a routine
part of China’s space operations, helping maintain continuous human presence in
orbit.
China’s space programme has expanded quickly over the past decade,
with repeated missions to Tiangong and increasing ambition in both crewed and
uncrewed exploration. The programme developed its own independent space station
after being excluded from the International Space Station due to security
concerns raised by the United States.
That separation has helped intensify space competition between the
two global powers. While China continues to develop its programme through
Tiangong and future lunar ambitions, the United States space agency NASA is
also planning a return of astronauts to the Moon, with a target date currently
set for 2028.
The rivalry is now seen as a key driver of modern space
exploration, with both countries racing to achieve major milestones in human
spaceflight.
Tiangong itself has already played a central role in China’s space
achievements. Since its first crewed missions, the station has supported
long-term scientific research and tested key technologies needed for deep-space
travel.
However, the programme has also faced challenges. In one incident
last year, astronauts had to be brought back to Earth in an emergency mission
after their spacecraft was damaged while docked at the station. The event
highlighted the risks involved in long-term operations in space, even as the
programme continues to grow more advanced.
Despite those challenges, China’s space agency remains confident in
its long-term vision. Officials say missions like Shenzhou 23 are essential
stepping stones towards building a stronger human presence in space and
preparing astronauts for future journeys far beyond Earth’s orbit.
For now, the three astronauts are settling into their journey
aboard Tiangong, beginning another chapter in China’s steadily expanding
presence in space.
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