Tag: Shenzhou
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Shenzhou 23 launches new crew to Tiangong space station
The Chinese space station Tiangong, permanently occupied since June 5, 2022, is about to receive a new set of crew members. Shenzhou 23 launched atop a Chang Zheng 2F (CZ-2F) from Site 91 at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the Inner Mongolia province of northwest China. Launch took place on Sunday, May 24, at…
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Shenzhou 23 Crew Launch Maintains China’s LEO Station Operations
When Will China Launch Its Next Crew to Tiangong Station? China’s Shenzhou 23 mission is preparing to launch three taikonauts to the Tiangong space station, continuing the nation’s uninterrupted human presence in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) that began on June 5, 2022. The crew rotation represents China’s systematic approach to maintaining permanent operations aboard its…
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China prepares cargo, crew, and deep space missions, as commercial sector steps towards reusability
China is preparing to launch both cargo and crew missions to its Tiangong space station, as a new cargo freighter is tested in low-Earth orbit and new designs are revealed to expand the orbiting outpost. Celebrating 70 years since the foundation of its space program this year, China is also advancing plans for deep space…
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Shenzhou 22 launches uncrewed to Chinese Tiangong space station
The Shenzhou 22 mission, originally scheduled to fly next year, launched successfully on Tuesday, Nov. 25, at 04:11 UTC from Site 901 at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in China’s Inner Mongolia province. Shenzhou 22, mounted atop a Chang Zheng-2F rocket, launched without crew and safely docked autonomously with the Tiangong space station after a…
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China prepares to launch uncrewed Shenzhou as maiden launches slip for commercial launch providers
China is preparing to launch an uncrewed Shenzhou spacecraft as its astronauts shuffle missions following damage to the Shenzhou-20 spacecraft, while the Tiangong station prepares to greet its first international visitor in 2026. Meanwhile, commercial launch providers continue to make progress toward maiden launches, though a number have slipped into early next year. Furthermore, a…
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China launches crewed Shenzhou-21 mission
China has launched its tenth crew to the Tiangong space station. This was the 16th crewed spaceflight for China’s Shenzhou program overall, which has continually occupied the orbiting outpost since June 2021. The China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) announced the names of the three taikonauts the day before launch. Shenzhou-21 will be commanded by Zhang…
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Launch Roundup: China to launch crew to Tiangong, India to launch new naval satellite
Six missions comprise the worldwide launch manifest this week, including a crewed launch from China and a new naval satellite for the Indian Navy. SpaceX is set to kick off the week with three back-to-back Starlink missions from its pads in California and Florida. Later in the week, China will launch the crewed Shenzhou 21…
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China launches three taikonauts to Tiangong, commercial sector continues to expand
China has launched its ninth crewed mission to the Tiangong space station, coinciding with the 55th anniversary of the launch of Dongfanghong-1, the country’s first satellite. Meanwhile, China has achieved the world’s first network of satellites using a distant retrograde orbit (DRO) in Earth-Moon space, with its DRO-B satellite completing a final manoeuver this month.…
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China Roundup: Tiangong cargo supply contracts awarded; Shenzhou’s 25th anniversary
This week’s Tianzhou 8 mission has delivered supplies to the three taikonauts who recently arrived at the Tiangong Space Station on the Shenzhou 19 mission. The China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) has announced two commercial contracts to service the station with cargo resupply missions in the future via two new vehicle designs. Meanwhile, progress continues…
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China Roundup: Chang’e 6 lands on the Moon, and record-breaking EVA
China’s Chang’e 6 landed on and sampled the far side of the Moon while the Shenzhou-18 crew performed a record-breaking spacewalk at the Tiangong Space Station. Additionally, 10 more rockets were launched from the country in the last few weeks. Chang’e 6 lands on the far side of the Moon China’s sixth uncrewed lunar exploration…