Shenzhou-20 crew embarks on critical mission at Tiangong station

• The Shenzhou-20 crew arrived at the Tiangong station after a six-hour flight.
• The mission will last until the end of October and will include scientific experiments.
• The return of the Shenzhou-19 crew is scheduled for April 29.

Three Chinese taikonauts partaking in the Shenzhou-20 mission have reached the Tiangong space station after a flight of over six hours. The launch occurred at the Jiuquan spaceport in the Gobi Desert, with the crew setting off on Thursday at 5:20 PM local time.

During the mission, which will last until the end of October, the Shenzhou-20 crew will conduct a series of scientific experiments. One experiment involves the analysis of tissue regeneration in planarians—a type of flatworm capable of regrowing organs. This study aims to enhance the understanding of treating space travel-related injuries.

The Shenzhou-19 mission crew currently at the Tiangong station opened the station hatch to welcome the new mission commander, seasoned taikonaut Chen Dong, along with first-time space travelers Chen Zhongrui and Wang Jie. According to the China daily, the hatch was opened at 1:17 AM Beijing time.

The return of the Shenzhou-19 crew, whose mission began on October 30 last year, is slated for April 29.

The launch of the Shenzhou-20 mission coincided with the celebration of the 10th Space Day in China, underscoring the country's expanding participation in space exploration. The China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) manages these activities, aspiring for further progression in space technology.

The Shenzhou-20 mission marks another milestone in China's bold space program, which encompasses further research and development of space technologies. Experiments conducted aboard the Tiangong station may contribute to breakthroughs in space medicine and other scientific disciplines.