The launch was a festive occasion, with hundreds of supporters gathering at the site to cheer and wave flags as the astronauts departed in their white spacesuits.

China's space program has evolved significantly over the past five decades, demonstrating resilience against sanctions and a commitment to independent innovation.

The country aims to send a person to the moon before 2030, following its exclusion from the International Space Station due to U.S. national security concerns.

The docking date of the Shenzhou-20 mission coincides with the anniversary of the Hubble Space Telescope's launch, highlighting the significance of space exploration.

An editorial in the Global Times emphasizes the need for countries to overcome biases and engage in cooperative efforts with China to advance human space endeavors.

On April 24, 2025, China successfully launched the Shenzhou-20 mission, sending three astronauts to its Tiangong space station as part of its ambitious goal to conduct a crewed lunar mission by 2030.

During their six-month mission, the crew will conduct experiments in medical science and technology, as well as perform spacewalks for maintenance and equipment installation.

The crew includes Chen Zhongrui, a former air force pilot, and Wang Jie, an engineer, both making their first trips to space.

The Chang Zheng 2F/G rocket, which launched the mission, was redesigned to increase payload capacity by 20% and features improved camera technology.

Upcoming tests for the lunar mission will focus on the safety and reliability of the Long March 10 rocket and the Mengzhou crewed spacecraft.

Chen's inspiration to become an astronaut grew after meeting Yang Liwei, China's first astronaut, and he expressed excitement about fulfilling his dream of flying in space.

The Shenzhou 20 crew will replace the Shenzhou 19 team, who completed 88 scientific experiments and participated in three spacewalks, including a record-breaking nine-hour excursion.