Afghanistan, May 24 -- China is preparing to launch the Shenzhou-23 mission, its longest crewed space mission yet, as Beijing accelerates plans for a 2030 Moon landing.
China announced the launch of its Shenzhou-23 mission, sending three astronauts to the Tiangong space station in what officials describe as the country's longest human space mission.
According to Reuters, the crewed spacecraft will launch from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwestern China, with one astronaut expected to remain aboard the Tiangong station for a full year.
Chinese authorities said the mission marks a major step in testing the country's ability to sustain long-term human presence in space and expand its independent space capabilities.
The crew i...