<p>China on&nbsp;Thursday (Apr 25) launched a manned spaceship into space from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China.&nbsp;The Long March-2F carrier rocket blasted off the Shenzhou-18 spacecraft with three Chinese astronauts on board.</p>

<p>The space mission is&nbsp;China’s&nbsp;first&nbsp;manned&nbsp;mission this year and 32nd manned flight so far.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The flight&nbsp;is scheduled&nbsp;to reach the Tiangong space station 6.5 hours after&nbsp;launch.</p>

<p>Watch video:&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">🚀 China Launches Manned Shenzhou-18 Mission to Tiangong Space Station <a href="https://t.co/SEoDk4J1BQ">pic.twitter.com/SEoDk4J1BQ</a></p>
— RT_India (@RT_India_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/RT_India_news/status/1783496186285986048?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 25, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p>Earlier in the day, a send-off ceremony&nbsp;was held&nbsp;for the crew members before the launch. The astronauts will stay at the China Space Station for six months and return to the Dongfeng landing site in north&nbsp;China's&nbsp;Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region in October this year.</p>

<h2><strong>Who are the three astronauts?&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>The three Chinese astronauts are Ye Guangfu, Li Cong and Li Guangsu, all&nbsp;of them&nbsp;born in the 1980s.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Blinken’s Visit to China: US Secy of State Antony Blinken holds meeting with top Shanghai official</strong></p>

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<p>The three persons will carry out six&nbsp;cargo&nbsp;outbound deliveries via the&nbsp;station's&nbsp;cargo airlock module and implement two to three extravehicular activities (EVAs).</p>

<h2><strong>The mission</strong></h2>

<p>The astronauts will&nbsp;“install space debris protection reinforcements for extravehicular piping, cables and critical equipment and carry out extravehicular inspections, as appropriate, to further safeguard the safety of the China Space Station,”&nbsp;announced the China Manned Space Agency.</p>

<p>"During the Shenzhou-18 mission, experimental equipment and related samples will be taken to space, and the&nbsp;country's&nbsp;first in-orbit aquatic ecological research project will be implemented. Using zebrafish and hornwort to establish a self-cycling aquatic ecosystem in orbit, the project aims to make a breakthrough in the cultivation of vertebrates in space,"&nbsp;Lin Xiqiang, deputy director of the CMSA, said on Wednesday.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ved="2ahUKEwjC37L12d2FAxXMRmwGHZACBxcQxfQBKAB6BAgPEAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/blinken-calls-for-us-china-to-manage-differences-responsibly-714711" jsname="YKoRaf" ping="/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.wionews.com/world/blinken-calls-for-us-china-to-manage-differences-responsibly-714711&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjC37L12d2FAxXMRmwGHZACBxcQxfQBKAB6BAgPEAE">Blinken calls for US, China to manage differences `responsibly`</a></strong></p>

<p>"The&nbsp;world's&nbsp;first in-orbit stem cell study on the&nbsp;plant's&nbsp;stem tips will be made to reveal the mechanism of plant evolutionary adaptation to gravity and provide theoretical support for space cropping,"&nbsp;Lin added.</p>

<p>China began constructing its Tiangong space station in 2021, completing the T-shaped facility in late 2022. Since then, the space station has been hosting crews of three astronauts for&nbsp;periods of&nbsp;six months.</p>


China on Thursday (Apr 25) launched a manned spaceship into space from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China. The Long March-2F carrier rocket blasted off the Shenzhou-18 spacecraft with three Chinese astronauts on board.

China on Thursday (Apr 25) launched a manned spaceship into space from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China. The Long March-2F carrier rocket blasted off the Shenzhou-18 spacecraft with three Chinese astronauts on board. The space mission is China’s first manned mission this year and 32nd manned flight so far. The flight is scheduled to reach the Tiangong space station 6.5 hours after launch. Watch video: 🚀 China Launches Manned Shenzhou-18 Mission to Tiangong Space Station pic.twitter.com/SEoDk4J1BQ — RT_India (@RT_India_news) April 25, 2024 × Earlier in the day, a send-off ceremony was held for the crew members before the launch. The astronauts will stay at the China Space Station for six months and return to the Dongfeng landing site in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region in October this year. Who are the three astronauts? The three Chinese astronauts are Ye Guangfu, Li Cong and Li Guangsu, all of them born in the 1980s. Watch: Blinken’s Visit to China: US Secy of State Antony Blinken holds meeting with top Shanghai official × The three persons will carry out six cargo outbound deliveries via the station's cargo airlock module and implement two to three extravehicular activities (EVAs). The mission The astronauts will “install space debris protection reinforcements for extravehicular piping, cables and critical equipment and carry out extravehicular inspections, as appropriate, to further safeguard the safety of the China Space Station,” announced the China Manned Space Agency. "During the Shenzhou-18 mission, experimental equipment and related samples will be taken to space, and the country's first in-orbit aquatic ecological research project will be implemented. Using zebrafish and hornwort to establish a self-cycling aquatic ecosystem in orbit, the project aims to make a breakthrough in the cultivation of vertebrates in space," Lin Xiqiang, deputy director of the CMSA, said on Wednesday. Also read: Blinken calls for US, China to manage differences `responsibly` "The world's first in-orbit stem cell study on the plant's stem tips will be made to reveal the mechanism of plant evolutionary adaptation to gravity and provide theoretical support for space cropping," Lin added. China began constructing its Tiangong space station in 2021, completing the T-shaped facility in late 2022. Since then, the space station has been hosting crews of three astronauts for periods of six months.

Watch: China launches manned spaceship to Tiangong space station for six months

<p>Advancing its space programme that has grown rapidly in the last few years, China on Sunday launched its Wentian lab module, bound for the under-construction Chinese space station. The Wentian module is the second of the three modules required to complete the Tiangong space station, launched last year in April.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">The Long March 5B rocket's four liquid-fueled boosters have jettisoned as the launcher heads out over the South China Sea carrying the Wentian module toward the Chinese Tiangong space station. <a href="https://t.co/iYRn51rNmL">https://t.co/iYRn51rNmL</a> <a href="https://t.co/cC9l8pgKaE">pic.twitter.com/cC9l8pgKaE</a></p>
— Spaceflight Now (@SpaceflightNow) <a href="https://twitter.com/SpaceflightNow/status/1551092306698289154?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 24, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p>The module weighing 23 tonnes at the launch was boosted into the sky using a Long March-5B Y3 rocket from the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in south China’s Hainan province.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Read More:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/our-dna-came-from-space-says-a-scientific-study-499775">Our DNA came from space, says a scientific study</a></p>

<p>One of the engineers associated with the project was quoted as saying by Chinese state media, “This is the first time the Long March-5B rocket will undertake a rendezvous and docking mission. It will send the lab module to dock with the core module.”</p>

<p>The Wentian module was a working cabin that includes three sleeping areas and one sanitary area. It is expected to accommodate six astronauts at a time, particularly when the interchange of astronauts from different space missions happens.</p>

<p>Moreover, Wentian has a flexible solar panel on it that will generate an average of 430 kiloWatt hours per day. It is estimated that the power generation of Wentian could have easily supported the power demand of an average Beijing household for more than a month.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Reportedly, the three Chinese astronauts Chen Dong, Liu Yang, and Cai Xuzhe living in the space station, situated in Earth’s low orbit&nbsp;will observe the module’s arrival. Afterwards, the three will&nbsp;become the first crew members to float into the station’s new module.</p>

<p>Read More:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/why-is-india-building-a-new-spaceport-in-tamil-nadu-499495">&nbsp;Why is India building a new spaceport in Tamil Nadu?</a></p>

<p>China’s third and final module for the space station named&nbsp;Mengtian&nbsp;module is expected to be launched later this year in October. While the Wentian and Mengtian modules will be on the side, the Tianhe module will be in the centre, completing the T-shaped space station.</p>

<p>It is pertinent to note that the International Space Station (ISS) has whopping 16 modules. With China nearing the completion of its space station, ISS and Tiangong will be the two active space stations in Earth’s orbit. The former is expected to retire by the end of this decade.</p>

<p>India is expected to launch its own station by 2030, as announced by former ISRO chairman K Sivan in 2019.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em><br />
<br />
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Advancing its space programme that has grown rapidly in the last few years, China on Sunday launched its Wentian lab module, bound for the under-construction Chinese space station.

Advancing its space programme that has grown rapidly in the last few years, China on Sunday launched its Wentian lab module, bound for the under-construction Chinese space station. The Wentian module is the second of the three modules required to complete the Tiangong space station, launched last year in April. The Long March 5B rocket's four liquid-fueled boosters have jettisoned as the launcher heads out over the South China Sea carrying the Wentian module toward the Chinese Tiangong space station. https://t.co/iYRn51rNmL pic.twitter.com/cC9l8pgKaE — Spaceflight Now (@SpaceflightNow) July 24, 2022 × The module weighing 23 tonnes at the launch was boosted into the sky using a Long March-5B Y3 rocket from the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in south China’s Hainan province. Read More: Our DNA came from space, says a scientific study One of the engineers associated with the project was quoted as saying by Chinese state media, “This is the first time the Long March-5B rocket will undertake a rendezvous and docking mission. It will send the lab module to dock with the core module.” The Wentian module was a working cabin that includes three sleeping areas and one sanitary area. It is expected to accommodate six astronauts at a time, particularly when the interchange of astronauts from different space missions happens. Moreover, Wentian has a flexible solar panel on it that will generate an average of 430 kiloWatt hours per day. It is estimated that the power generation of Wentian could have easily supported the power demand of an average Beijing household for more than a month. Reportedly, the three Chinese astronauts Chen Dong, Liu Yang, and Cai Xuzhe living in the space station, situated in Earth’s low orbit will observe the module’s arrival. Afterwards, the three will become the first crew members to float into the station’s new module. Read More: Why is India building a new spaceport in Tamil Nadu? China’s third and final module for the space station named Mengtian module is expected to be launched later this year in October. While the Wentian and Mengtian modules will be on the side, the Tianhe module will be in the centre, completing the T-shaped space station. It is pertinent to note that the International Space Station (ISS) has whopping 16 modules. With China nearing the completion of its space station, ISS and Tiangong will be the two active space stations in Earth’s orbit. The former is expected to retire by the end of this decade. India is expected to launch its own station by 2030, as announced by former ISRO chairman K Sivan in 2019. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

China launches its Wentian module, approaches completion of its space station

<p>According to China's space agency, as the Chinese spacecraft <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinas-change-5-spacecraft-returning-to-earth-with-moon-samples-report-347307">Chang'e-5 </a>the Chinese flag was raised on the Moon's surface.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:</strong></p>

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<p>The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinas-lunar-probe-change-5-mission-lands-on-moon-report-346765">Chinese</a> space agency said it is the first time that "China had achieved take-off from an extraterrestrial body."</p>

<p>The Chang'e-5 mission was sent to the Moon to understand the origin of the Moon and to bring back Moon samples. Chinese scientists also hope to understand volcanic activity on the Moon after studying the samples from its surface.</p>

<p>China will be the third country to retrieve samples from the Moon, after the <strong>United States </strong>and the former Soviet Union in the 1960s and 1970s. The last mission was undertaken by the former Soviet Union's <strong>Luna 24</strong> mission in 1976.</p>

<p>Reports say the Chinese spacecraft will collect at least two kilograms of <strong>Moon samples</strong> from the area known as "Ocean of Storms". "Scientific detection was carried out as planned," China's space agency said.</p>

<p>According to state-run Xinhua news service, it was the "one of the most complicated and challenging missions in Chinese aerospace history" which spent 19 hours on the Moon.</p>

<p>The samples are expected to arrive in a capsule in China's<strong> Inner Mongolia </strong>region.</p>


According to China's space agency, as the Chinese spacecraft Chang'e-5 the Chinese flag was raised on the Moon's surface. Watch: The Chinese space agency said it is the first time that "China had achieved take-off from an extraterrestrial body.

According to China's space agency, as the Chinese spacecraft Chang'e-5 the Chinese flag was raised on the Moon's surface. Watch: The Chinese space agency said it is the first time that "China had achieved take-off from an extraterrestrial body." The Chang'e-5 mission was sent to the Moon to understand the origin of the Moon and to bring back Moon samples. Chinese scientists also hope to understand volcanic activity on the Moon after studying the samples from its surface. China will be the third country to retrieve samples from the Moon, after the United States and the former Soviet Union in the 1960s and 1970s. The last mission was undertaken by the former Soviet Union's Luna 24 mission in 1976. Reports say the Chinese spacecraft will collect at least two kilograms of Moon samples from the area known as "Ocean of Storms". "Scientific detection was carried out as planned," China's space agency said. According to state-run Xinhua news service, it was the "one of the most complicated and challenging missions in Chinese aerospace history" which spent 19 hours on the Moon. The samples are expected to arrive in a capsule in China's Inner Mongolia region.

China unfurls flag on Moon after Chang'e-5 mission to collect lunar samples

China space agency has released images of a Chinese flag on the moon, China posted images of the flag, apparently taken from its space lander on the moon surface.

Today Tonight: Chinese space agency releases images of flag on moon