China Launches Shenzhou-23 Spaceship, Aiming for New Orbital Record and Advancing Space Science

Original article: China lanza nave espacial Shenzhou-23 para establecer nuevo récord de permanencia en órbita e impulsar ciencia espacial

On the night of May 24, Beijing time, a new chapter in China’s space program began with the launch of the Shenzhou-23 mission. The spacecraft lifted off aboard a Long March-2F rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China.

The Shenzhou-23 crew is led by mission commander Zhu Yangzhu, alongside astronauts Zhang Zhiyuan and Li Jiaying (Lai Ka-ying in Cantonese). The three astronauts serve as a flight engineer, spacecraft pilot, and payload specialist, respectively.

According to the China Manned Space Agency, the Shenzhou-21 crew, stationed aboard Tiangong, opened the hatch at 05:13 Beijing time on Monday to welcome the three taikonauts from the Shenzhou-23 spacecraft, marking the beginning of a new round of crew exchange in orbit.

The two crews captured group photos during the eighth meeting in space in the history of China’s aerospace endeavors. They will also carry out support duties aboard the space station.

Among the three taikonauts of Shenzhou-23, Zhu previously participated in the Shenzhou-16 space mission. Zhang and Li are from the third and fourth groups of astronauts, respectively, making this their first space mission. Before selection, Zhang was an Air Force pilot, and Li served with the Hong Kong Police.

Li has made history as the first astronaut from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China to travel to space, and is also the fourth female astronaut from the country to achieve this milestone, following Liu Yang, Wang Yaping, and Wang Haoze.

A computer science expert and former member of the Hong Kong police, Li previously worked on complex cybercrime investigations. Academics and former colleagues highlighted her analytical skills, discipline, and teamwork as key characteristics for the mission.

«As an ordinary person from Hong Kong, joining the astronaut team and being selected for this mission is an opportunity I never dared to dream of. My heart is filled with gratitude and honor,» Li expressed before embarking on her journey to space.

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