China is set to launch its Shenzhou-18 crewed mission to the Tiangong Space Station at 8:59 p.m. Beijing Time on Thursday, marking another leap in the country’s extraterrestrial ambitions. 🛰️ The trio—commander Ye Guangfu and first-time flyers Li Cong and Li Guangsu—will spend six months conducting cutting-edge experiments, installing space debris shields, and even raising zebrafish in orbit! 🌌
Dubbed a ‘cosmic multitasking marathon,’ the mission includes two to three spacewalks, 90+ microgravity experiments, and the creation of the first in-orbit aquatic ecosystem using zebrafish and algae. 🐟💡 Scientists hope this will crack the code for breeding vertebrates in space, while a plant stem cell study aims to boost future space farming. 🌱
The crew will also welcome the Tianzhou-8 cargo ship and hand over duties to the Shenzhou-19 team later this year. Meanwhile, China’s moon landing plans are heating up: the ‘Dream Vessel’ spacecraft and ‘Embracing the Moon’ lander are in development, targeting a 2030 crewed lunar mission. 🌕
With the fourth batch of taikonauts (China’s astronauts) soon to join the roster, the CMSA hints at international collaboration, opening doors for foreign astronauts and space tourists. 🚪✈️
