China Launches Its Youngest-Ever Astronaut Crew on Shenzhou-17 Mission

 

China has successfully launched its Shenzhou-17 mission, sending its youngest-ever crew of astronauts into space. The mission took off from the Jaquan Satellite Launch Center on October 26, 2023. This crew includes Commander Tang Hongbin (48) and first-time astronauts Tang Shengjie (34) and  Jiang Xinlin (35). This launch marks a significant milestone for China's space program, being its 30th flight mission and 12th crewed mission.

The astronauts will spend approximately six months aboard the Tiangong space station, where they will conduct scientific experiments and perform maintenance tasks. They are also expected to undertake their first spacewalk during this mission. The successful launch and the crew's youth signal China's intent to ramp up its human spaceflight program and possibly prepare for future lunar missions.