China Shenzhou-19 spacecraft with three astronauts, docks with Space Station

Crew is led by Senior Colonel Cai Xuzhe of the People’s Liberation Army Ground Forces, who spent six months on the Chinese orbital station in 2022

China’s manned space program launched the Shenzhou-19 spacecraft with three astronauts on board.

The manned spacecraft has successfully docked with Tiangong orbital station. This was reported by China Central Television.

Spacecraft was launched on October 30 at 04:27 Beijing time from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in northern China by the CZ-2F/G (Chang Zheng-2F/G) carrier rocket, which is 58 meters long and can carry up to 8.6 tons of cargo into low Earth orbit.

The Shenzhou-19 crew is led by Senior Colonel Cai Xuzhe of the People’s Liberation Army Ground Forces, who spent six months on the Chinese orbital station in 2022.

Lt Colonel Song Lingdong and female astronaut Lt Colonel Wang Haoze are making their first trip to near-Earth space. They will all return to Earth in late April or early May 2025.

According to Deputy Director of China Manned Space Agency Lin Siqiang, the ship’s crew will conduct a series of scientific experiments in orbit, including biology, basic microgravity physics, materials science, medicine, and space technology.

In total, 86 studies are planned.The Chinese station is located at an altitude of about 400 km and will operate for more than 10 years.

It is designed for three people (up to six for short periods during crew rotations).