Chinese Astronauts Launch Shenzhou-19 Mission

Chinese astronauts Cai Yuzhe, Song Lingdong, and Wang Haoze successfully launched the Shenzhou-19 mission to the Tiangong space station on October 30, 2024. The six-month mission will see the astronauts conduct a range of groundbreaking experiments in space, including research in space life sciences, microgravity physics, materials, medicine, and new technologies. A total of 86 experiments are scheduled to be conducted during the mission. One of the notable experiments is the lunar brick experiment, where bricks made from simulated lunar soil will be exposed to conditions in space. This research is part of China's plans to establish a lunar research station by 2035. The astronauts, who are affiliated with the Chinese military's air force, have an emergency rescue mission, Shenzhou-20 and its carrier rocket, on standby in case of any emergencies. The astronauts are expected to return to Earth in April or May next year.