China is gearing up to send its youngest-ever team of astronauts to the Tiangong space station, marking a significant advancement in Beijing’s ambitious space program. This mission is in line with China’s long-term objective of launching a crewed lunar mission by the end of this decade, as reported by the Free Press Journal. The Tiangong space station is a major milestone in China’s space exploration journey, following successful missions to Mars and the Moon, solidifying its position as the third country to put humans into orbit.
The Shenzhou-17 module is scheduled for liftoff at 11:14 am (0314 GMT) from China’s Jiuquan launch site located in the country’s arid northwest. This all-male astronaut crew, led by Tang Hongbo, is set to make history as the youngest group to embark on a space station mission.
The astronauts are deeply committed to their mission and view the space station as a second home that takes them away from Earth and into the cosmos. Notably, the average age of this crew is 38, younger than the previous team, which had an average age of 42.
After reaching orbit, the Shenzhou-17 spacecraft will autonomously conduct rendezvous and docking procedures, as explained by Lin Xiqiang, a spokesperson for China’s space program. It is expected to dock with the space station’s core module roughly six-and-a-half hours after initiating the procedure. This precision in docking technology underscores China’s dedication to advancing space exploration.
China’s pursuit of space supremacy is vigorous, often referred to as its “space dream,” which has been rapidly progressing under the leadership of President Xi Jinping. The country has allocated substantial investments into its military-led space program, with the aim of competing with space superpowers such as the United States and Russia.
Recent accomplishments include the successful Shenzhou-15 mission and the launch of Shenzhou-16, which carried the first Chinese civilian into orbit.
China’s enduring lunar objectives are a focal point of its space program. The nation plans to execute a crewed lunar mission by 2030 and is committed to establishing a lunar base. Lin Xiqiang reiterated China’s dedication to these goals, affirming that the target of landing Chinese astronauts on the Moon by 2030 remains on course.
Despite some setbacks, China has made significant strides in lunar exploration. The Chang’e-5 mission, in 2020, successfully collected lunar samples, marking a substantial achievement. The Chang’e-4 mission, which touched down on the far side of the Moon in 2019, was a historic milestone. China remains steadfast in its pursuit of lunar goals, including the development of a lunar base.
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