Shenzhou-18 rocket launched by China, carries three taikonauts to Tiangong Station

China successfully launched the Shenzhou-18 rocket with a crew of three astronauts, known as “magic cow,” to the Tiangong space station in Yichang. The mission, part of China’s extensive aerospace program, aims to reach the Moon by 2030.

The Grand March-2F shuttle, a recent government spacecraft, took off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center at 8:59 p.m. local time. The crew includes mission commander Ye Guangfu, taikonaut veterans, Li Cong, and Li Guangsu, former army fighter pilots. They will spend about six months conducting experiments and maintaining the space station.

Upon arrival, the astronauts will join the crew of Shenzhou-17 to continue research and experiments. They will also work on creating a self-sustaining aquatic ecosystem in space and cultivating vertebrates, marking a significant advancement for China’s space program.

In addition to their mission to the space station, China has completed the development of key components for a manned lunar landing. This includes the spacecraft, moon landing module, and space suits. The country plans to send three astronauts and the lunar landing module to the Moon using two rocket launches.

China’s space station was built after being excluded from the International Space Station in 2011. The US is also working to return astronauts to the Moon through the Artemis III mission, which has been delayed to September 2026 due to technical reasons.

Overall, China’s successful launch of the Shenzhou-18 rocket marks a significant milestone in its space exploration efforts, with plans to continue advancing its capabilities in space exploration and lunar missions.