A Chinese spacecraft carrying a three-member crew, which includes the nation’s first female space engineer, successfully docked after a journey lasting over six hours. The crew will utilize the homegrown space station as a base for six months to conduct experiments and perform spacewalks, as Beijing aims to gain experience and knowledge for its planned Moon mission by 2030.
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With this mission, nuclear rocket scientist Wang Haoze has made history by becoming China’s first female civilian astronaut. Haoze explained to China’s state broadcaster CCTV that her primary role involved conducting preliminary research on new engines for future rockets aimed at deep space exploration. She said that she was surprised at the opportunity to become an astronaut, saying that as a space science and technology professional, she never anticipated such a chance. When the opportunity arose, she recognized its value and eagerly signed up, describing the experience as incredible.
Another historical space program launched by #China!🚀🌌🇨🇳
China JUST launched the #Shenzhou19 manned spaceship, sending another three taikonauts to space, and some of them are the youngest astronauts sent to space by China.
Flight engineer, Wang Haoze, born in 1990, she’s the… pic.twitter.com/fcbfbXAJX1
— Li Jingjing 李菁菁 (@Jingjing_Li) October 30, 2024
Beijing has described the launch of Shenzhou 19 as a “complete success.” This mission is part of China’s ambitious goal of 100 launches in a record year of space exploration, as the country seeks to surpass its competitor, the United States.
At the Tiangong space station, the Shenzhou 19 crew joined three astronauts from the Shenzhou 18 mission, who are set to return to Earth on November 4.
Two years ago, President Xi Jinping emphasized China’s ambition by stating, “to explore the vast cosmos, develop the space industry, and build China into a space power is our eternal dream.”
🗣️ China’s Youngest Astronauts Reach Space in Bold Mission to Beat the U.S. to the Moon
China has successfully launched Shenzhou 19, its newest crewed space mission, making waves with its youngest astronauts, including the country’s first female space engineer. pic.twitter.com/5v4P0GoxjY
— OnlineNews (@Gossipnaij54351) October 31, 2024
However, in Washington, some view China’s rapid space advancements as a growing concern. NASA chief Bill Nelson remarked earlier this year that the US and China are “in effect, in a race” to return to the Moon, expressing concern that Beijing might aim to claim territory there. He also suggested that China’s civilian space program may have military ties.
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