Updated Jun 17, 2021 - Science

Chinese astronauts reach new space station for 3-month mission

Rebecca Falconer

The manned Shenzhou-12 spacecraft from China's Manned Space Agency onboard the Long March-2F rocket launches at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center on June 17, 2021 in Jiuquan, Gansu province, China. — The manned Shenzhou-12 spacecraft from China's Manned Space Agency onboard the Long March-2F rocket launches at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Jiuquan, Gansu province, China, on Thursday morning Beijing time. Photo: Kevin Frayer/Getty Images

Three astronauts entered China's new space station for the first time after riding into space on the Shenzhou-12 spacecraft launched from the edge of the Gobi Desert on Thursday, according to AP.

Why it matters: Astronauts Nie Haisheng, Liu Boming and Tang Hongbo are set to occupy the station for a three-month mission, marking the country's longest crewed space mission ever and the first in almost five years.

It also marks another significant step in the Chinese Communist Party's space program, which is seen as a potential rival to the U.S.

Details: The Shenzhou-12 was launched from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Jiuquan, Gansu province, China, atop a Long March 2F rocket.

The big picture: This is the third of 11 missions needed to complete the construction of the permanent space station, the first component of which was launched into orbit in April.

China's government is excluded from the International Space Station program — the only other space station in orbit.

What's next: The astronauts' main goal is to bring into service the first component of the station, the Tianhe module, Cmdr. Nie said, per the BBC.

"We need to set up our new home in space and test a series of new technologies," Nie said ahead of the Shenzhou-12 launch.
"I believe with the three of us working closely together, doing thorough and accurate operations, we can overcome our challenges. We have the confidence to complete the mission."

Editor's note: This article has been updated with new details throughout.

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Chinese astronauts reach new space station for 3-month mission

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