China Sends Astronaut Trio to Tiangong Space Station for Moon Base Experiments

china - China launches new mission to prepare moon base at Chinese space station. President Xi Jinping aims to send a human to the moon by 2030 for base construction.

China has launched a new mission to its space station Tiangong to prepare for building a base on the moon by 2030. The Hemels Paleis, or Heavenly Palace, space station is considered a significant part of China's space program and can host three astronauts every six months.

The latest mission, Shenzhou-19, is focused on Wang Haoze, a 34-year-old female aerospace engineer. She is the third Chinese woman to participate in a manned space mission. Wang expressed her dream of traveling to space and waving at the stars during a press conference.

Accompanying Wang are Song Lingdong, 34, and Cai Xuzhe, 48. Cai, a former air force pilot, led a mission in 2022 and is now appointed as the mission leader. The trio is expected to return to Earth by late April or early May next year in Inner Mongolia.

China has a history of sending astronauts on missions. Currently, there are other astronauts aboard the Tiangong space station, set to return on November 4 after passing on their tasks. Chinese media describes this as a 'relay,' showcasing the astronauts as national heroes to the Chinese public.

The new crew will conduct various experiments aboard Tiangong, including testing stones resembling components of lunar ground under extreme conditions. Chinese scientists hope to utilize this material for the moon base construction.

In addition to the moon, China aims to explore other planets like Mars and Jupiter, planning to expand its space station currently in a T-shaped form since its launch in 2021.

China decided to construct its space station after the U.S. Congress prohibited NASA from direct collaboration with China, excluding them from the International Space Station. China expressed willingness to welcome international astronauts based on mutual respect, having previously collaborated with Russia, France, and Sweden.