China lifts off 3 astronauts to its space station as it marks presence in space

We are witnessing a historic moment with three Chinese astronauts lifting off toward their nearly complete space station. The Chinese have explored the far side of Mars and the Moon till now. This lift-off marks an end to International Space Station's role as the sole occupant in our orbit for humans. The astronauts launched in the Shenzhou-15 spacecraft at 10:08 ET or 11:08 pm local time from Inner Mongolia's Gobi Desert. We expect the spacecraft to dock with Tiangong Space Station around 6.5 hours after its launch. Zhang Lu, Deng Qingming, and Fei Junlong are the three astronauts and will be the first crew on rotation. The spacecraft is expected to finish its orbital outpost construction by December end and launch its application and development's first stage. The crew will also participate in over 40 tests and experiments in space technology, science, and research.

FAQs:

1. What are the expectations from the Shenzhou-15 spacecraft?
   The spacecraft is expected to finish its orbital outpost construction by December end and launch its application and development's first stage.
2. From where and when did the astronauts launch aboard the spacecraft?
   The astronauts launched in the Shenzhou-15 spacecraft at 10:08 ET or 11:08 pm local time from Inner Mongolia's Gobi Desert.
3. When will the Shenzhou-15 spacecraft dock?
   We expect the spacecraft to dock with Tiangong Space Station around 6.5 hours after its launch.
4. What has the Chinese explored yet?
   The Chinese have explored the far side of Mars and the Moon.