China launches Shenzhou-20 crewed spaceship

(ECNS) -- China launched the Shenzhou-20 crewed spaceship atop a Long March-2F carrier rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China on Thursday, sending three astronauts to its orbiting space station. 

A see-off ceremony for three Chinese astronauts of the Shenzhou 20 crewed space mission is held at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, April 24, 2025. (Photo: China News Service/Guo Chaokai)

The three sstronauts -- Chen Dong, Chen Zhongrui, and Wang Jie -- will stay in China's space station for a six-month mission.

(By Mo Honge)