China launches Shenzhou-20 mission to Chinese space station, state media report

Astronauts attend a see-off ceremony for the Shenzhou-20 spaceflight mission at Jiuquan Satellite Launch

Astronauts Chen Dong, Chen Zhongrui and Wang Jie attend a see-off ceremony for the Shenzhou-20 spaceflight mission at Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center near Jiuquan, Gansu province, China April 24, 2025. China Daily via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS PICTURE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. CHINA OUT. NO COMMERCIAL OR EDITORIAL SALES IN CHINA.

Source: China Daily

China sent three astronauts to its permanently inhabited space station on Thursday in its 15th crewed spaceflight and 20th overall in the Shenzhou program that started more than three decades ago.

The spacecraft Shenzhou-20 and the crew lifted off atop a Long March-2F rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in northwest China at 5:17 p.m. (0917 GMT), according to state broadcaster CCTV.

The spaceship successfully docked with the space station, state news agency Xinhua reported later in the day, citing the China Manned Space Agency.

The launch comes as China's advances in lunar and space exploration are drawing in more countries.

Pakistan is carrying out a preliminary selection of astronauts, one of whom will eventually be sent to space on a future Shenzhou spaceflight and become the first foreign astronaut to enter China's Tiangong space station.

This article was produced by Reuters news agency. It has not been edited by Global South World.

By Reuters