China launches Shenzhou-20 with three astronauts to Tiangong space station

China has successfully launched the Shenzhou-20 mission, sending three astronauts to the Tiangong space station for a six-month stay as part of its expanding ambitions in space exploration. The crew, led by veteran astronaut Chen Dong with first-time astronauts Chen Zhongrui and Wang Jie, will replace the Shenzhou-19 team, who are set to return to Earth after 175 days in orbit. Key objectives for the new crew include conducting scientific experiments in areas like high-temperature superconductors and neurological health, performing spacewalks for station maintenance and cargo operations, and installing devices to protect against space debris. This mission marks the 15th crewed flight of China's Shenzhou program and underscores the country's progress since its first manned launch in 2003, achieving milestones such as landing a rover on Mars and the far side of the Moon. The Tiangong station, operational since 2022, is central to China’s plans for a crewed lunar mission by 2030, and its expansion now includes international collaboration, with Pakistan preparing astronauts for future missions. The mission also highlights ongoing concerns from other countries about the potential military uses of China’s space technology, especially as the Tiangong station was built after China was excluded from the International Space Station.