China launched the Shenzhou-15 manned spacecraft from the Jiuquan Space Launch Center located in northwest China’s Gansu Province, with information broadcast by China Central Television. The mission marks a pivotal step in the ongoing expansion of the nation’s space infrastructure and its long-term ambitions in low Earth orbit.
Official reports indicate a crew of three will be carried to the Tiangong orbital station. The crew comprises Fei Junlong, aged 57 and serving as commander, Deng Qingming, 56, and Zhang Lu, 46. The selection highlights a blend of seasoned experience and fresh perspective, underscoring China’s strategy to sustain continuous human presence in space through rotating crews and incremental orbital operations.
Once aboard Tiangong, the astronauts will enter the final construction phase of the orbital facility and transition directly into operational duties. The Shenzhou-14 crew currently stationed at Tiangong is scheduled to return to Earth after a six-month mission, a milestone that will add a new chapter to the station’s operational history as it completes its expanded capabilities.
Earlier communications confirmed the release of a video showcasing the completed Tiangong space station. The footage was distributed by the China Manned Space Engineering Office, offering observers worldwide a visual summary of the station’s modules and integrated systems after recent assembly milestones.
Tiangong’s story began with the launch of its first modular component in the spring of 2021, marking the start of a phased program aimed at creating a sustained human presence in orbit. The ongoing sequence of launches and crew rotations reflects a coordinated national effort to develop space science, technology, and international collaboration pathways while advancing China’s orbital operations and long-duration human missions.