China Plans Lunar Mission with Three Taikonauts to Challenge NASA

Astronauts Zhu Yangzhu, Zhang Zhiyuan, and Lai Ka-ying waved during the launch ceremony for the Shenzhou-23 mission to the Tiangong space station at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in Gansu province, China, on 24 May 2026. The launch, using a Long March-2F Y23 rocket at 23:08 local time, sent the crew to the Tiangong space station. The mission forms part of Beijing’s ambition to develop long-term crewed spaceflight and prepare for a 2030 crewed lunar landing. One crew member is expected to stay in orbit for up to a year, potentially setting a new record for China’s longest space mission. The crew consists of cargo specialist Li Jiaying, commander Zhu Yangzhu, and pilot Zhang Yuanzhi. Li Jiaying is the first Hong Kong-born taikonaut to participate in a Chinese space mission. Enthusiastic children waved flags as hundreds of spectators gathered to watch the Long March 2F rocket carrying Shenzhou-23 lift off, enveloped in flames and thick smoke. China’s Manned Space Agency stated that final decisions on who will remain longer at Tiangong will depend on mission progress. The programme is expected to serve as a crucial test for future crewed lunar exploration missions. Previously, the Shenzhou-22 mission was accelerated in November to evacuate three taikonauts after the Shenzhou-20 spacecraft was damaged by space debris.