By Liu Shiyao, Chen Shihan, People’s Daily
On April 24, 1970, China’s first man-made satellite, Dongfanghong-1, was successfully launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, marking the beginning of the Chinese people’s exploration of outer space.
Fifty-five years later, on the same day, the Shenzhou-20 crewed spacecraft, atopa Long March-2F carrier rocket, sent three astronauts to its orbiting space station for a six-month mission. The spaceflight has performed a fast, automated rendezvous, docked with the Tiangong space station complex, and successfully conducted an in-orbit handover with the Shenzhou-19 crew.
This flight is the fifth manned mission during the application and development phase of China’s space station, and the 35th flight mission of China’s manned space program. Theastronauts will undertake a range of tasks, including space science experiments,application tests, extravehicular activities, and cargo handling.
Their mission also involves installing protective devices against space debris, and deploying and retrieving extravehicular payloads and equipment. They will also participate in science education, public outreach, and other onboard experimental activities. Besides,space payload experiments will be conducted to enhance the comprehensive benefits of the space station.
To support the ongoing operations of the space station, the Shenzhou-20 spacecraft has undergone substantial optimization in itsorbital module layout. By refining equipment arrangements and introducing innovative solutions for securing cargo, the spacecraft has increased the available capacity for outbound cargo by 20 percent while maintaining structural integrity. This enhancement further boosts the spacecraft’s uplink capability, allowing for the delivery of more critical supplies to the space station.
China has successfully carried out 20 astronaut extravehicular activities (EVAs) over the course of its space program, with its EVA technology among the most advanced worldwide, said Lin Xiqiang, spokesperson for the China Manned Space Agency.
It is reported that the longest single EVA by Chinese astronauts reached nine hours, setting a world record. The extravehicular spacesuits, Feitian,meaning flying into space, have supported 19 spacewalks since the Shenzhou-12 mission, maintaining good performance and stable conditions. The highest usage of a single spacesuit has reached 17 times, exceeding its original design life of “15 uses within 3 years.”
The space station’s robotic arms, which can be connected and “crawl” on the exterior of the space cabins due to their unique designs, enable astronauts to access all EVA areas. Additionally, the coordination support system between space and ground has been refined to provide robust professional backing for EVA planning, real-time control, cross-system collaboration, and emergency response.
Overall, China’s EVAs have evolved from technical verification and basic operations to complex mission execution, and will play an increasingly vital role in the long-term operation of the space station.
Lin also revealed that the new life science experiments to be carried out involve zebrafish, planarians and streptomyces. The biological and life science experiment samples transported by the spacecraft have been successfully transferred to China’s space station. The astronauts have completed the in-orbit installation of the samples and started science experiments, having already obtained experimental data along with imaging and video records. All experimental subjects are in good condition.
In addition to the three biological experiments, the crew will also conduct 59 space science experiments and technology tests, covering fields such as space life science, microgravity physical science, and new space technologies. Breakthroughs are expected in areas like the cultivation of vascularized brain organoid chips, the non-equilibrium dynamics of soft matter, and the study of preparing high-temperature superconducting materials in space.
China is currently conducting space science experiments according to plan, with all projects progressingsmoothly. China’s space station has now hosted over 200 scientific projects, with nearly 2 tons of scientific materials and applied equipment sent to orbit.
In late February this year, China and Pakistan signed a cooperation agreementon spaceflight of a Pakistani astronaut on Chinese space station, and the selection process for Pakistani astronauts is underway. Meanwhile, China is in discussions with other countries regarding their potential foreign astronaut participation in the country’s future space station missions.
Lin said that China’s crewed moon landing mission is progressing soundly, and multiple tests on related spacecraft will be conducted soon. Major lunar landing-related equipment, such as the Long March-10 carrier rocket, the manned spacecraft Mengzhou (Dream Vessel), the lunar lander Lanyue (Embracing the Moon), the moon-landing spacesuit Wangyu (Gazing into the Cosmos) and the manned lunar rover Tansuo (To Explore the Unknown), are all undergoing initial prototype research and development testing as planned.
Notably, the lunar remote sensing satellite project has completed its approval and competitive selection processes. The development and construction of ground systems — including the launch site, the measurement and control communication system, and the landing site, are also advancing in order.
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