China launches Shenzhou 23, begins astronaut year-long stay experiment on Tiangong

China has launched the Shenzhou 23 spacecraft, carrying three astronauts to its Tiangong space station, marking a significant step in its ambitious space program. The mission, which departed from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the Gobi Desert, aims to conduct experiments for long-duration space stays, including a year-long mission for one astronaut.

The three-person crew, led by commander Zhai Zhigang, includes Zhang Zhigang and Li Ziying. Notably, Li Ziying, a computer specialist and former Hong Kong police officer, is the first astronaut from outside mainland China to join a Tiangong mission. They will replace the crew of Shenzhou 21, who have been aboard the station since November.

The primary objective of the Shenzhou 23 mission is to study the physiological effects of extended periods in space, a crucial preparation for China's long-term lunar exploration goals, including the establishment of a research base by the mid-2030s. While the standard mission duration is six months, one astronaut will extend their stay to a full year. The specific astronaut for this extended stay will be determined based on mission progress.

China is also planning to expand the Tiangong space station, increasing its modules from three to six, forming a cross-shaped structure. This expansion will accommodate up to six astronauts, doubling its current capacity, and extend its operational lifespan to 15 years, potentially making it the world's sole operational space station after the International Space Station's planned retirement in the early 2030s. Furthermore, Tiangong will be opened to international astronauts, with two Pakistani astronauts currently undergoing training for a future visit.