JIUQUAN SATELLITE LAUNCH CENTER, China (AP) — China launched a three-member crew to its orbiting space station on Thursday as part of its ambitious program that aims to put astronauts on the moon by 2030.
The Shenzhou-18 spacecraft lifted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center on the edge of the Gobi Desert in northwestern China atop a Long March 2-F rocket at 8:59 p.m. (1259 GMT).
The spacecraft’s three-member crew will relieve the Shenzhou-17 team, which has been staffing China’s Tiangong space station since last October.
The China Manned Space Agency, or CMSA, held a send-off ceremony — complete with flag-waving children and patriotic music — for the Shenzhou-18 crew earlier on Thursday, as the three astronauts prepared to enter the spacecraft.
The trio is made of Commander Ye Guangfu, 43, a veteran astronaut who took part in the Shenzhou-13 mission in 2021, and fighter pilots Li Cong, 34, and Li Guangsu, 36, who are spaceflight rookies.
Murder trial opens in death of Detroit
Hezbollah official killed, 3 civilians injured in Israeli strike on Lebanese village
Xi Congratulates Felix Tshisekedi on Reelection as DR Congo's President
Washington's drug slur on Beijing slammed
US youth prospect Keyrol Figueroa signs pro contract with Liverpool
Von der Leyen probe draws sharp criticism
Washington's drug slur on Beijing slammed
Greek port project helps boost career prospects
Worker killed, another injured, when truck crashes through guardrail along California freeway
Xi Signs Order to Promulgate Revised Regulations on Military Legislation