China Sends First Crew Into Orbit Since Space Station’s Completion

China launched a team of three, including the nation’s first civilian astronaut, into orbit on Tuesday in the first crewed mission since the completion of its space station late last year, demonstrating the rapid progress of the country’s space program.

The Shenzhou-16 spacecraft carrying the team blasted off from the military-controlled Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center this morning, state media reported. Led by Commander Jing Haipeng, the team comprises Gui Haichao as the payload specialist and Zhu Yangzhu as the aerospace engineer. During their roughly five-month stay at the Tiangong space station, they will undertake tasks including in-orbit experiments and space exploration.