Divine Vessel's quest: Shenzhou-18 charts a new chapter for China in space
The Chinese spacecraft Shenzhou-18 embarked on its journey to the Tiangong space station, also revered as the Heavenly Palace. Aboard were three crew members, ready to advance China's presence in outer space.
On Thursday, April 25, 2024, Shenzhou-18, affectionately termed the Divine Vessel, was launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center on the fringes of the Gobi Desert in northwestern China. Reuters reported that the spacecraft carried three taikonauts into space.
This new crew set off with the objective of taking over responsibilities from the previous team aboard Shenzhou-17, which has been operating at the Tiangong station, known as Heavenly Palace, since October of the preceding year.
Embarking on a space voyage
The expedition is led by 43-year-old Ye Guangfu, a seasoned participant in space missions, notably the Shenzhou-13 mission in 2021. Alongside him are 34-year-old Li Cong and 36-year-old Li Guangsu, both making their debut in space travel though they are experienced fighter pilots.
In a scene filled with emotion, the crew received a heartfelt send-off from a group of flag-waving children, with Chinese patriotic anthems playing in the background to mark the momentous occasion.
The journey to orbit, propelled by a Long March 2F rocket, is estimated to bring the Shenzhou-18 spacecraft to the space station within six and a half hours of lift-off.
At a press briefing, the Chinese Manned Space Agency shared updates on the development and construction of systems designed to facilitate lunar landings for Chinese astronauts. With steady progress being made, the agency anticipates that the Moon mission could come to fruition by 2030.
Moreover, China has set its sights on executing two cargo spacecraft flights alongside two manned missions within 2024 alone, demonstrating the nation's serious commitment and ambitious stride towards becoming a leading power in space exploration.
