BEIJING (AP) — China launched its youngest-ever crew for its orbiting space station on Thursday in a bid to land astronauts on the moon before 2030, furthering its ambitions in space exploration and science.
The launch of the Shenzhou 17 spacecraft took place at 11:14 a.m. (0314 GMT) from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwestern China’s Gobi Desert. As per the China Manned Space Agency, the average age of the three-member crew is 38, making them the youngest group since the start of the space station construction mission, reported state broadcaster CCTV.
China’s goal of reaching the moon before the end of the decade is fueled by a rivalry with the United States for supremacy in outer space. This competition reflects the battle for influence between the world’s two largest economies in technology, military, and diplomacy.
The crew, consisting of Tang Hongbo, Tang Shengjie, and Jiang Xinlin, is replacing the previous team that occupied the station for six months. Tang, a veteran, had previously led a three-month space mission in 2021.
Notably, China also revealed plans to launch a new telescope for deep space exploration. The telescope will facilitate sky surveys and mapping; however, no specific timeline has been provided for its installation.
China’s space endeavors have a rich historical background, with the country’s research on stars and planets spanning thousands of years. In recent times, China has made significant advancements in space exploration and science, including the establishment of its own space station after being excluded from the International Space Station due to concerns over program control by the People’s Liberation Army, the military arm of the Communist Party.
In 2003, China became the third nation to send its astronauts into space using its own resources, following the former Soviet Union and the United States. Despite American advantages in spending, supply chains, and capabilities, China has made notable progress, such as collecting lunar samples for the first time in decades and successfully landing a rover on the unexplored far side of the moon.
Alongside their lunar missions, both China and the United States have independently deployed rovers on Mars, with China also planning to land a spacecraft on an asteroid, following in the footsteps of the United States.
