China Prepares to Launch Shenzhou 23 Astronauts to Tiangong Space Station, Marking Potential Year-Long Spaceflight
China is set to launch the Shenzhou 23 mission to the Tiangong space station on May 24, 2026. The mission will send three astronauts, including Zhu Yangzhu, Zhang Zhiyuan, and Lai Ka-ying, to the space station for a six-month stay. Notably, Lai Ka-ying will become the first astronaut from Hong Kong to travel to space. The launch, scheduled for 11:08 a.m. EDT, will be conducted using a Long March 2F rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. This mission is significant as it may initiate China's first year-long human spaceflight. One of the astronauts from Shenzhou 23 is expected to remain in orbit for a year, as Shenzhou 24 will later bring a Pakistani astronaut for a short visit, taking the place of one of the Shenzhou 23 crew members. This mission follows the recent arrival of the Tianzhou 10 cargo spacecraft, which delivered supplies to Tiangong. 
