Lahore (Web Desk) China has successfully launched its new crewed space mission Shenzhou-23, which has safely reached the Tiangong Space Station in orbit.
According to details, the 203-foot-long Long March-2F rocket lifted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the Gobi Desert at 11:08 PM local time.
The mission crew includes commander Zhu Yangzhu along with Zhang Xuzhe and Lai Ka-Ying. Lai Ka-Ying has become the first astronaut from Hong Kong to travel into space.
After docking with the space station, the crew met the existing astronauts, marking the start of a crew rotation process in orbit.
According to Chinese space authorities, the astronauts will remain aboard the station for approximately six months, while one crew member is expected to gain experience of staying in space for up to one year for the first time.
The mission is also linked to the upcoming Shenzhou-24, under which future international cooperation and the possible inclusion of a Pakistani astronaut has also been suggested.