China will send a new crew of astronauts to its space station on Thursday, marking another bold stride in its relentless pursuit to become a global space power. The Shenzhou-20 mission, which is set to launch at 5:17 p.m. from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in the Gobi Desert, underscores Beijing’s ambitions to rival the long-standing dominance of the United States in space.
The upcoming mission is part of a broader vision pushed by President Xi Jinping, who has repeatedly called space exploration an essential part of realizing the “Chinese people’s space dream.” With billions of dollars invested over the past decade, China’s space programme has evolved rapidly—from landing rovers on the moon and Mars to building its own orbiting space station, Tiangong, meaning “Celestial Palace.”
Leading the Shenzhou-20 crew is Chen Dong, a seasoned astronaut and former fighter pilot. At 46, Chen is a symbol of China’s maturing astronaut corps. He became the first Chinese astronaut to log over 200 cumulative days in space during his previous missions. He will be joined by Chen Zhongrui, 40, also a former air force pilot, and Wang Jie, 35, a former space technology engineer—both making their maiden voyage into orbit.
Hours before the scheduled lift-off, an air of festivity filled the usually sparse desert base. Hundreds gathered near the Jiuquan facility, waving flags and holding bouquets as a military band played patriotic anthems. The astronauts, clad in their pristine white suits, waved solemnly in front of a large red banner that read, “Learn from our astronauts! Salute our astronauts!”
“We wish you success!” the crowd roared as the trio marched past.
The astronauts will stay aboard the Tiangong space station for six months. Their mission includes a packed schedule of scientific experiments, including studies in physics, life sciences, and regenerative biology. One highlight is the introduction of planarians—aquatic flatworms with remarkable regenerative abilities—into the microgravity environment.
The team will also conduct multiple spacewalks, install shielding against space debris, restock supplies, and carry out routine maintenance. These tasks are crucial to extending Tiangong’s operational lifespan and preparing it for more international cooperation.
Three astronauts currently onboard the station are expected to return to Earth on April 29 after completing a detailed handover process with the incoming team.
As the launch approached, caravans of space enthusiasts lined the desolate roads leading to Jiuquan. Despite the blazing desert sun, many waited for hours for a glimpse of the rocket, visible in the distance like a monument to ambition.
Vendors near the base capitalized on the excitement, selling miniature rockets, hats, and other memorabilia. The nationalistic fervor was unmistakable. “This is history in the making,” said 29-year-old science teacher Mei Lin, who had traveled over 1,000 kilometers with her students to witness the event.
China’s space programme is the third in the world capable of sending humans into orbit, after the United States and Russia. It has already placed robotic explorers on the moon and Mars, setting a pace that few anticipated a decade ago.
The Tiangong station is now central to China’s space strategy. Designed to support continuous human presence, it is staffed by rotating three-person crews for six-month stints. Since its exclusion from the International Space Station (ISS) in 2011—when the U.S. Congress banned NASA from collaborating with Chinese entities—China has doubled down on developing its own capabilities.
Now that the ISS is nearing the end of its operational life, China’s Tiangong stands as a viable, sovereign alternative in low-Earth orbit.
China’s ambitions aren’t solely about national pride—they also involve international outreach. In February 2025, China inked a deal with Pakistan to eventually bring that country’s first astronaut aboard Tiangong. According to CMSA, two Pakistani astronauts will undergo training in China as part of this cooperation.
The move reflects Beijing’s strategic pivot towards forming space partnerships, especially with nations in the Global South. While China’s exclusion from the ISS served as a barrier, it has transformed into an opportunity to chart an independent path.
“Tiangong is more than a space station. It’s a platform for diplomacy, science, and the projection of soft power,” said Zhao Jun, a space policy analyst at Peking University.
The Shenzhou-20 mission is not an isolated endeavor but part of a larger roadmap. China has announced plans to launch a crewed lunar mission by the end of this decade and eventually build a base on the moon’s surface. If successful, it would be the first such permanent outpost since the U.S. Apollo missions.
The lunar base initiative, known as the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS), is being developed in collaboration with Russia. Though still in the early phases, the project aims to enable long-term human presence and scientific research on the moon.
While the United States remains the dominant space power, particularly in deep space and private-sector involvement, China’s steady, state-backed progress is narrowing the gap.
The geopolitical implications are not lost on global observers. “Space is increasingly seen as a domain of competition, not just cooperation,” said Dr. Mark Hollingsworth, a senior fellow at the London Institute for Space Strategy. “China’s rise in this arena changes the strategic calculus for everyone else.”
Nevertheless, there are risks. Space exploration remains a hazardous endeavor, and transparency remains a challenge in China’s space activities. Critics have long argued for more openness and collaboration to avoid misunderstandings and prevent potential conflicts in orbit.
With the launch of Shenzhou-20, China reinforces its image as a rising space power with global aspirations. More than just a scientific mission, this launch represents a broader narrative—of national revival, technological self-reliance, and geopolitical maneuvering.
In the words of CMSA Director Lin Xiqiang, “Every launch is a step closer to the stars, and a testament to what our nation can achieve when united in purpose.”
As the countdown ticks toward zero and the engines ignite beneath the Shenzhou-20 rocket, millions of eyes across China and beyond will be watching—not just for the launch, but for what it represents in the wider journey of humankind’s reach into the cosmos.
