By 
April 17th, 2025
Image credit: CCTV/Inside Outer Space screengrab
China is readying its Shenzhou-20 mission to the country’s space station. At the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, northwest China, technicians transferred the combination of the three-person crewed spaceship and its carrier rocket to the launch site.
The China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) stated that the piloted mission will launch at an appropriate time in the near future. No word as yet on the crew to fly the mission.
Image credit: CCTV/Inside Outer Space screengrab
“Currently, the rocket systems are functioning well, with all parameters within the acceptable range, and the rocket is in good condition,” said Liu Haibo, an engineer with the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, in an interview with China Central Television (CCTV)
Rescue rocketry
China employs a “rolling backup” model, a term that means there is always a rocket in standby mode for any emergency, The Long March-2F carrier rocket has been on emergency rescue standby duties for half a year since it arrived at the launch center on September 20, 2024, according to CCTV.
Image credit: CCTV/Inside Outer Space screengrab
“Before the vertical transfer, we had already developed a detailed follow-up work plan, outlining the content, status, sequence and inter-coordination of testing and inspection items for each system in the launching area,” said Zheng Yonghuang, chief engineer at the Jiuyuan Satellite Launch Center. Doing so, he said ensures that each system operates efficiently and smoothly.
Shenzhou-19 crew.
Image credit: CCTV/Inside Outer Space screengrab
Crew transfer
The Shenzhou-20 crew will carry out China’s 15th manned spaceflight and will become the ninth group of inhabitants of the Tiangong space station. The space travel trio will take over operation of the orbital outpost from the Shenzhou-19 crew — mission commander Senior Colonel Cai Xuzhe and crew members Lieutenant Colonel Song Lingdong and Lieutenant Colonel Wang Haoze.
The Shenzhou-19 crew arrived at the station on October 30. By month’s end they will have stayed in orbit for nearly six months.
For a video showing launch preparations for the Shenzhou-20 mission, go to:
Posted in Space News
