China launched its Shenzhou-20 mission on Thursday, sending three astronauts to the Tiangong space station. The successful liftoff marks its 15th crewed flight as Pakistan eyes sending the first foreign astronaut on a future mission.
China has launched the Shenzhou-20 mission, sending three astronauts to its Tiangong space station on Thursday. This marks the country's 15th crewed mission and the 20th flight under the Shenzhou program, which began over 30 years ago.
The spacecraft lifted off at 5:17 p.m. local time (0917 GMT) from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in northwest China, using a Long March-2F rocket. The mission was confirmed successful by state media shortly after liftoff.
China’s growing space ambitions are also drawing international interest, Pakistan is currently selecting potential astronauts, with plans to send one on a future Shenzhou mission, making them the first foreigner aboard the Chinese space station.
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