In a stirring display of ambition and pride, the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the northwest of the Chinese mainland buzzed with energy on Thursday as three astronauts prepared to embark on the Shenzhou-20 mission. Among cheers and applause, the crew donned their sleek white flight suits, each bearing mission patches that symbolize the next chapter in their country's space exploration journey.
The see-off ceremony marked a key milestone: the formal farewell before launch. Families, officials and space enthusiasts gathered under a clear sky, waving flags and sending heartfelt messages of support. Against the backdrop of the towering launch tower and the rumble of final system checks, the astronauts offered salutes and posed for the last group photo before liftoff.
Shenzhou-20 will ferry the three-person crew to China's orbiting research station, where they will carry out a series of experiments in microgravity – from advanced materials testing to life-science studies. The mission aims to gather data that could drive innovations in everything from sustainable manufacturing to human health during long-duration spaceflight.
For young global citizens and business leaders alike, this mission underscores how the space sector is rapidly becoming a frontier for innovation and international dialogue. As the world watches, the Shenzhou-20 flight will contribute to a growing body of research that benefits diverse fields and catalyzes new ideas in sustainability, biotech and beyond.
Stay tuned as we track the countdown and share real-time updates from orbit. The journey begins now, and the eyes of a digitally connected generation are firmly fixed on the stars.
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China holds see-off ceremony for astronauts of Shenzhou-20 mission
cgtn.com
