China Launches Shenzhou 23 Mission to Tiangong Space Station

Key facts

• China successfully launched the Shenzhou 23 spacecraft from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center (JSLC) in northwestern China on 24 May 2026.
• The mission crew comprises commander Zhu Yangzhu, Zhang Zhiyuan, and Lai Ka-ying, who is the first astronaut from Hong Kong and the fourth Chinese woman to travel to space.
• One crew member is scheduled to remain at the Tiangong space station for one year to study human adaptability and performance limits in long-duration spaceflight.
• The crew will conduct dozens of science projects and complete an in-orbit rotation with the Shenzhou 21 crew, who have been at the station for over 200 days.
• The mission is part of the Chinese space programme to achieve a crewed lunar landing by 2030, while the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) targets a lunar landing in 2028.