China launches three-crew spaceflight as part of 'Shenzhou-23 mission'

In a recent space update, China has launched a new mission titled the "Shenzhou-23 mission."

The mission launched on May 24, 2026 unveils that an astronaut will spend a full year in orbit for the first time, a crucial step in Beijing’s ambition to send humans to the moon by 2030.

The Long March 2-F rocket lifted off from the Jiuquan launch center in north-western China on Sunday, carrying three astronauts to the Tiangong space station.

The mission marks the first spaceflight ever undertaken by an astronaut from Hong Kong; 43-year-old Lai Ka-ying, who previously worked for the territory's police.

The other crew members include both 39-year-olds space engineer; Zhu Yangzhu and the former air force pilot Zhang Zhiyuan, who will be traveling into space for the first time.

The crew is expected to undertake numerous scientific projects in life sciences, materials science, fluid physics and medicine.

A key experiment will be the full-year stay in orbit by one of the crew to study the effects of a long stay in microgravity, part of China’s preparations for future lunar and possible Martian missions.

The Chinese space agency said the astronauts were selected to spend a year in orbit. Reflecting the importance of reliable water and air-recycling systems and the ability to manage potential medical emergencies far from Earth.

Astrophysicist and professor at Macquarie University in Australia Richard de Grijs said the main challenges would be long-term effects on humans, including bone density loss, muscle wasting, radiation exposure, sleep disturbance, and behavioral and psychological fatigue.

China was steadily building operational experience for sustained occupation of the Tiangong space station, and year-long missions were an important step towards future lunar and potentially deep-space ambitions.

The Shenzhou-23 mission is part of China’s goal to land astronauts on the moon before 2030 in a race with NASA's Artemis programme.

China also hopes to have built the first phase of a manned scientific base, known as the International Lunar Research Station, by 2035.