Manned Mission Takes Off from Jiuquan

On Sunday, May 24, 2026, China successfully launched the Shenzhou 23 spacecraft from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwestern China. The mission consists of three astronauts who are heading to the Tiangong space station.

Historic Crew and Mission Objectives

The crew includes Zhu Yangzhu, the commander, Zhang Zhiyuan, and Lai Ka-ying, also known as Li Jiaying. Lai, originally from Hong Kong, marks a milestone as the first astronaut from the city to join a space mission. With a doctoral degree in computer forensics, Lai brings unique expertise to the mission.

The crew will engage in numerous scientific and application projects during their stay. They will also coordinate an in-orbit rotation with the Shenzhou 21 crew, who have been on the Tiangong space station for over 200 days.

Year-Long Space Journey

One astronaut from the Shenzhou 23 mission is set to remain at the space station for a full year. This will be one of the longest continuous stays in space, aimed at testing human adaptability in extended spaceflight conditions.

China’s Expanding Space Program

China’s space endeavors continue to grow as the country aims for its first crewed lunar landing by 2030. The Tiangong space station, meaning “Heavenly Palace,” began hosting crews in 2021. China’s space program has developed independently since its exclusion from the International Space Station due to U.S. security concerns.

As the space race intensifies, the United States remains a key competitor. NASA is planning to land astronauts on the moon by 2028, highlighting the growing competition in space exploration.