China set another important milestone in its space programme as it prepares to send a Hong Kong astronaut into space for the first time. The historic mission will launch on Sunday from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwestern China.
According to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA), the Shenzhou-23 mission is scheduled to lift off at 11:08 PM local time. The spacecraft will carry a three-member crew to the Tiangong space station.
The mission includes Lai Ka-ying, who has been introduced by Chinese state media as Hong Kong’s first astronaut. The other crew members are Zhu Yangzhu and Zhang Zhiyuan.
China set ambitious goals for its space programme over the last decade. The latest mission is being seen as another step toward Beijing’s long-term lunar plans.
Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee congratulated Lai Ka-ying for successfully completing the difficult selection and training process.
The Tiangong space station remains one of the biggest achievements of China’s growing space programme. The station is usually staffed by teams of three astronauts who rotate every six months.
Mission commander Zhu Yangzhu previously took part in the Shenzhou-16 mission in 2023. He said the mission would test the crew’s physical strength, mental endurance, teamwork, and ability to live in orbit.
Officials said the main purpose of the mission is to continue scientific research and space experiments aboard the Tiangong station. The crew will also perform spacewalks and transfer supplies in and out of the station.
The CMSA confirmed that one astronaut will remain aboard the station for a full year. However, officials did not reveal which crew member would stay for the extended mission.
China set this long-duration mission to gather important data about the effects of extended space travel on astronauts. Experts believe the research will help future Moon missions and deep-space exploration projects.
Professor Richard de Grijs said year-long missions push both astronauts and spacecraft systems into a more demanding operational environment.
China’s space programme has expanded rapidly under President Xi Jinping. The country has already sent robotic rovers to Mars and the Moon.
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Beijing aims to send astronauts to the Moon by 2030 and eventually build a lunar base. The CMSA stated that it will continue working toward achieving China’s “space dream” through future missions and technological development.
