SHENZHOU - 16 - SCI & TECH

News: China’s Shenzhou-16 spacecraft launched

 

What is in the news?

       Teceny, China launched a spacecraft carrying three astronauts, including its first civilian, to its Tiangong space station.

 

Key takeaways from the news:

       It is China's fifth manned mission to a fully functional space station since 2021.

       The spacecraft was named the Shenzhou-16, and was launched by the Long March-2F rocket.

 

Details about the new mission:

       The three astronauts will replace the crew of Shenzhou-15 aboard the Tiangong space station.

       The new crew will stay there for the next five months and will carry out “large-scale in-orbit tests and experiments in various fields.

 

Details about the Tiangong Space Station:

       Operated by China Manned Space Agency (CMSA).

       The Tiangong space station was built by China after the USA barred NASA from working with the Asian country, citing a high risk of espionage.

       Space station’s first module entered orbit in 2021 and two more modules were added to it in the following years.

       China has also invited other countries and companies to collaborate and carry out experiments at its space station.

 

What is Space Station:

       A space station is a habitable spacecraft capable of supporting human crewmembers and designed to remain in space.