China Rocket Blasts Off For Longest Crewed Mission To Space Station
Daniyal Sohail Published October 15, 2021 | 10:38 PM
China on Saturday launched a rocket carrying three astronauts to its new space station on what is set to be the country's longest crewed mission to date, state media said, in the latest landmark in Beijing's drive to become a major extraterrestrial power
Beijing, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 15th Oct, 2021 ) :China on Saturday launched a rocket carrying three astronauts to its new space station on what is set to be the country's longest crewed mission to date, state media said, in the latest landmark in Beijing's drive to become a major extraterrestrial power.
The three blasted off shortly after midnight (1600 GMT) from the Jiuquan launch centre in northwestern China's Gobi desert, state-run news agency Xinhua said, with the team expected to spend six months at the Tiangong space station.
The mission -- twice as long as its 90-day predecessor -- will set up equipment and test technology for future construction on Tiangong.
Mission commander Zhai Zhigang, 55, a former fighter pilot who performed the country's first spacewalk in 2008, said the team would undertake "more complex" spacewalks than previous missions.
The astronaut team includes military pilot Wang Yaping, 41, who will become the first woman to visit the nation's space station, after previously becoming China's second woman in space in 2013.
The other team member is People's Liberation Army pilot Ye Guangfu, 41.
A previous record-breaking space mission -- the first mission to Tiangong -- returned to earth in September after three months on the space station.
China's heavily promoted space programme has already seen the nation land a rover on Mars and send probes to the moon.
Tiangong, meaning "heavenly palace", is expected to operate for at least 10 years.
Its core module entered orbit earlier this year, with the station expected to be operational by 2022.
The completed station will be similar to the Soviet "Mir" station that orbited Earth from the 1980s until 2001.
The long mission is set to "expand China's technological boundary" and verify the space station system's capacity for a longer duration of human occupation, Chen Lan, an independent space analyst at GoTaikonauts, told AFP.
"I don't think it is very challenging, as China's technologies (are) quite mature, though anything in space is always challenging," Chen said.
- Space race - Saturday's blast off comes shortly after China launched its first solar exploration satellite into space, equipped with a telescope to observe changes in the Sun.
The Chinese space agency is planning a total of 11 missions to Tiangong through to the end of next year, including at least two more crewed launches that will deliver two lab modules to expand the 70-tonne station.
China's space ambitions have been fuelled in part by a US ban on its astronauts on the International Space Station, a collaboration between the United States, Russia, Canada, Europe and Japan.
The ISS is due for retirement after 2024, although NASA has said it could potentially remain functional beyond 2028.
Chinese space authorities have said they are open to foreign collaboration on the space station, although the scope of that cooperation is as yet unclear.
The country has come a long way since its first satellite in 1970.
It put the first Chinese "taikonaut" in space in 2003 and landed the Chang'e-4 robot on the far side of the Moon in 2019 -- a historic first.
China became the second nation to land and operate a rover on Mars in May.
Astronauts on the Tiangong space station will have separate living spaces, exercise equipment and a communication centre for emails and video calls with ground control.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Tennis: ATP Barcelona Open results - 1st update
Swiatek's perfect 10 in Stuttgart as Vondrousova stuns Sabalenka
Arandu's roads closed due to flooding
Oil tanker catches fire in Islamabad’s Blue Area
Pakistan committed to ensure safety of foreign nationals: FO
Tennis: WTA Stuttgart results - 1st update
Four passengers injured as train hit an empty vehicle
Over- speeding bus crushed to death two bike riders
Turkey's Freedom Flotilla ready to set sail for Gaza
French teen dies from heart failure after knife attack near school
Iranians appear unfazed by Isfahan blasts
UAF celebrates Int'l Chinese Language Day
More Stories From Technology
-
Take Charge, Live Free: Empower Your Life with Infinix NOTE 40 Series
1 day ago -
PTA Undertakes Consultation with All Pakistan Network Association (APNA) on Proposed Class Value Add ..
1 day ago -
Vivo V30 5G: The Perfect Blend of Enhanced Photography and Premium Design
2 days ago -
PITB's Regional Plan 9 invites applications for its newly launched incubation centers in Rawalpindi, ..
4 days ago -
Pakistan calls for enhanced information integrity on digital platforms
4 days ago -
Infinix NOTE 40 Series vs. the Competition: Why It Stands Out
4 days ago
-
"Unlock Exceptional Value: The New realme Note 50 with Extended Warranty Now Available in Pakistan!� ..
5 days ago -
Google unveils new AI chips, arm-based processor for data centers
10 days ago -
Italy considers stricter penalties for AI-related crimes
10 days ago -
Malaysia Calls on Meta and TikTok to Enhance Platform Monitoring
10 days ago -
Always Up-to-Date: Enjoy the Latest Android Updates on Your Infinix NOTE 40 Series for 2 Years
12 days ago -
Vivo V30 5G: Insights from Pakistan's Tech Experts and Lifestyle Influencers
13 days ago