China’s ambitions for deep space exploration have been increasing quickly. The nation was recently inspired by the amazing Artemis I mission and its ambitious goal to land astronauts on the moon by 2030. This ambitious target comes at a time when China is actively developing its Tiangong space station, which has become a focal point of its space program after being excluded from the International Space Station (ISS) due to U.S. national security concerns.
Zhang Lu, Wu Fei, and Zhang Hongzhang are the newest crew to join the Long March 7 progressed spacecraft as it docks with the Tiangong space station. This mission is the latest milestone on China’s continued journey to develop gradually greater space technologies and conduct cutting-edge scientific research.
Tiangong Space Station and Crew Details
Zhang Lu, a veteran of the Shenzhou 15 mission, will assume command of the new crew. They’ll take an exhilarating trip on board the Tiangong space station. Wu Fei and Zhang Hongzhang are both adventuring into space for the first time, and it’s an exciting journey. This mission, therefore, is doubly special for them!
Over the course of their six-month stay onboard the new Tiangong space station, these astronauts will perform dozens of different research projects. Most especially, they’ll be traveling with four mice—two male and two female—as sort of companions on their scientific voyages.
As with previous crewed missions, the Shenzhou 21 will launch from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China. The planned launch time is scheduled for 11:44 p.m. China time on Friday, marking yet another milestone in China’s growing presence in space exploration.
China’s Space Exploration Goals
China’s promise to land astronauts on the moon before 2030 is only the latest example of its growing hopes in the field of space exploration. The nation has poured enormous sums into developing those next-generation technologies. This includes the Long March 10 rocket, advanced moon landing suits and innovative exploration vehicles.
Zhang Jingbo, spokesman for the China Manned Space Program, noted the advancements achieved in these aspects. He stated, “Currently, each program of the research and development work of putting a person on the moon is progressing smoothly.” This statement further highlights China’s belief that it is on track to realize its lunar goals.
The Tiangong space station plays an important role in supporting China’s goal to develop a long-term human presence in low Earth orbit. It’s an important step in demonstrating our commitment to advance lunar exploration. The return aboard Tiangong with their groundbreaking research—human, scientific, and technological—should bear further insights to help sail future crews past the Moon.
Exclusion from International Space Station
China’s exclusion from the International Space Station (ISS) has only driven its independent space development forward. This governmental obstacle has inspired the nation to create a domestic space initiative. U.S. national security considerations undergird the exclusion. They come from the nature of the relationship between China’s civil space program and the People’s Liberation Army.
As a result, China has turned its attention on developing its own space station and following its own lunar mission schedule. The creation of Tiangong is a short but powerful example of protests and international condemnation not swaying China from its goal of growing its space power.
Zhang Jingbo reaffirmed China’s commitment to its lunar goals, stating, “Our fixed goal of China landing a person on the [moon] by 2030 is firm.” Together, these words embody the country’s determination to push humanity beyond current barriers and achieve extraordinary breakthroughs in space exploration.