In a remarkable display of space prowess, China launched the Shenzhou-18 manned spaceship on Thursday from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) announced.
At 8:59 p.m. Beijing Time, a Long March-2F carrier rocket carrying the Shenzhou-18 spacecraft and three Chinese astronauts blasted off, marking a significant milestone for China's space ambitions.
Approximately 10 minutes post-launch, the spacecraft smoothly separated from the rocket and entered its designated orbit. The mission features an autonomous, fast rendezvous and docking with the China Space Station, showcasing advanced spaceflight technology. The Shenzhou-18 crew is set to perform an in-orbit rotation with the existing Shenzhou-17 crew, ensuring continuous human presence aboard the station.
This mission is China's first manned flight to the space station this year and the 32nd manned flight overall. It also marks the 518th mission of the Long March series rockets, underscoring the reliability and consistency of China's space launch capabilities.
As China's space program continues to evolve, the Shenzhou-18 mission represents the 13th manned spaceflight since the inception of the manned space program, reinforcing China's position as a key player in the global space community.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
