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China’s human spaceflight program is surging ahead with its missions to the Tiangong space station. The Shenzhou 17 spacecraft, essential for ferrying astronauts to and from the station, has been instrumental in this endeavour. The missions involve a carefully selected crew as these astronauts undergo rigorous training, covering everything from spacewalks to emergency procedures.

The latest crew of astronauts from China has successfully docked at the Tiangong space station, just 6.5 hours after their Long March 2F rocket liftoff from the Gobi Desert on October 26. In its statement, Bejing’s state council information office said, “It is the team of astronauts with the youngest average age since the launch of the space station construction mission.”

This Shenzhou 17 team, led by mission commander Tang Hongbo, 48, said in the press meeting, “Over the past two years, I have often dreamt of returning back to space.” Adding that the space station is his other home away from Earth. Tang Shengjie, 34, and Jiang Xinlin, 35, will be accompanying Tang Hongbo on the mission. And they are the youngest group to visit Tiangong.

The Shenzhou 17 team will conduct various experiments and maintenance tasks during their six-month stay. Notably, a spacewalk is planned to inspect and potentially repair the station’s solar arrays, which have suffered a few debris impacts and/or micrometeoroid strikes during their short orbital lives.

“Currently, space debris is increasing, so the impacts of small space objects on long-duration operational spacecraft are inevitable,” Lin Xiqiang, deputy director of the China Manned Space Agency, said during a Shenzhou 17 prelaunch press conference on October 25.

“Previous inspection revealed that the space station’s solar panels had also been hit several times by tiny objects in space, suffering minor damage, of course, which was taken into account during our design,” Lin added.

Shenzhou 17’s arrival signals the conclusion of the Shenzhou 16 mission, with its astronauts scheduled to return to Earth on Oct. 31. This marks the seventh crewed mission to reach the Chinese outpost so far.

The Tiangong space station, often dubbed “China’s Heavenly Palace,” stands as an ambitious project that embodies China’s remarkable strides in space exploration. Comprising a core module named Tianhe and two laboratory modules, Wentian and Mengtian, this space station is a symbol of China’s dedication to advancing human presence in space. Launched in April 2021, the station is designed to host a variety of scientific experiments, including research in astronomy, space medicine, Earth observation, and materials science.

The Long March 5B rocket played a pivotal role in deploying the core module, showcasing China’s impressive capabilities in launching and assembling complex space structures. The station’s functionality extends to life support systems, radiation shielding, and precise environmental controls, providing a safe environment for astronauts during extended missions.

Moreover, the Tiangong space station is part of China’s broader space exploration strategy, demonstrating its readiness to play a prominent role in shaping the future of human space exploration. It offers opportunities for international collaboration, including the possibility of foreign astronauts visiting and conducting research on the station.

As it takes shape in low Earth orbit, the Tiangong space station not only cements China’s position as a spacefaring nation but also serves as a symbol of global cooperation and the expansion of human presence beyond our planet.

China’s space agency, CNSA, meticulously plans every step of the missions, from launch to docking and return to Earth. International cooperation is also a cornerstone of Shenzhou 17 program, with opportunities for foreign astronauts to visit and collaborate on research projects.

Overall, China’s efforts in sending crews to the Tiangong space station represent a significant leap forward in their space exploration capabilities, solidifying their position as a major player in the global space community with Shenzhou 17.