China sends trio to space station for record year-long mission

China launched three astronauts to its Tiangong space station Sunday, marking a significant step in its ambitious space program. One crew member will undertake a record-duration stay of one year for the country, enabling crucial research into human physiology under prolonged space conditions. This mission directly supports Beijing's broader goal of achieving a crewed moon landing by 2030.

The launch, utilizing a Long March-2F rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, carried commander Zhu Yangzhu, pilot Zhang Yuanzhi, and payload specialist Li Jiaying. Notably, Li Jiaying, a former Hong Kong police inspector, becomes the first astronaut from the city to participate in a Chinese space mission, highlighting expanding participation within the program.

While the year-long mission is among the longest ever undertaken, it falls short of the 14.5-month record set by a Russian cosmonaut in 1995. The specific astronaut designated for the extended stay will be determined later, based on mission progress, according to the China Manned Space Agency. This mission is one of nearly a dozen crewed launches to Tiangong.

The launch occurs amid an intensifying space race, particularly with the United States, which has voiced concerns over China's lunar ambitions, including alleged plans for colonization and resource extraction on the moon. China's continued advancements in space exploration underscore its growing capabilities and strategic objectives in space.

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That astronaut will be decided ⁠later, depending on the progress of the mission