China's Shenzhou-19 mission is set to launch early Wednesday, sending a new crew to the Tiangong space station. The mission will replace the current astronauts who have been on board for six months.
The crew includes mission commander Cai Xuzhe, who previously flew on the Shenzhou-14 mission in 2022, and first-time space travelers Song Lingdong and Wang Haoze. Wang, an engineer from the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, will serve as the payload specialist, making her the third Chinese woman to participate in a crewed mission.
The launch will occur at 4:27 AM from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre, utilizing a Long March-2F rocket, which is central to China's crewed space endeavors.
China established its own space station following exclusion from the International Space Station, primarily due to U.S. concerns regarding military control over the program. The Chinese space agency has also successfully landed a rover on Mars and plans to send a crewed mission to the Moon before 2030.
During the Shenzhou-19 mission, the crew will conduct scientific experiments, perform spacewalks, and install protective equipment against space debris. They will also witness the arrival of the Tianzhou-8 cargo craft and the Shenzhou-20 crewed spaceship.
The mission highlights China's ambitions in space exploration amidst a competitive landscape that includes the U.S., Japan, and India.