China sending new crew to its space station
Yahoo News
Last updated: May 25, 2026
China has successfully launched three new astronauts to its Tiangong space station aboard the Shenzhou 23 spacecraft. This mission marks a significant milestone with the first astronaut from Hong Kong participating and the plan for an astronaut to stay in orbit for approximately one year to study long-term space effects on the human body.
- The launch occurred from the Jiuquan Space Centre using a Long March 2F rocket. The new crew, Zhu Yangzhu, Zhang Zhiyuan, and Li Jiaying, will replace the current station inhabitants. Li Jiaying is noted as the first person from Hong Kong to join a Chinese space mission.
- The Shenzhou 23 spacecraft is expected to dock with the Tiangong space station shortly after its launch. This mission is a routine crew rotation for the Chinese space station.
- The outgoing crew has completed 203 days in space, potentially setting a new record for the longest single mission duration for a Chinese astronaut team. The extended stay of one crew member is intended for scientific research into the physiological impacts of prolonged space travel.
