China to launch astronauts to new space station tonight

China launched the first astronauts to its self-developed space station on Thursday.

The move marks a major step as the world’s second-largest economy looks to boost its space capabilities and challenge the U.S.

The three astronauts — Nie Haisheng, Liu Boming and Tang Hongbo — were taken up on a Shenzhou-12 spacecraft which was launched atop a Long March 2F rocket at around 9:22 a.m. China time. It took off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, in northwest of the country.

Zhang Zhifen, director of the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, declared the mission a “complete success” at around 9:43 a.m. local time.

It’s the first time China has sent a manned mission to space since 2016 and will be a major point of pride as Beijing prepares for the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist party.

Beijing has made space exploration a top priority as China looks to challenge the U.S. in a number of areas of technology.

China expects its three-module self-developed space station to be fully operational by 2022.

In April, it launched one of the modules that will make up the space station called “Tianhe”, which will be the living quarters for the astronauts. And last month, China sent the Tianzhou-2 cargo spacecraft to dock with Tianhe. This spacecraft contains supplies for the astronauts such as food.

China will carry out 11 missions this year and next to complete the construction of the space station, including four manned missions.

The three astronauts sent to the space station on Thursday will spend three months there, testing the technologies required for the construction and operation of the space station such as life support mechanisms and in-orbit maintenance and also carry out space walks.

The space station will have separate sleeping areas as well as space-to-ground communications.

China is barred from sending its astronauts to the International Space Station, which is a co-operative effort between the United States, Russia, Europe, Japan, and Canada. That has fueled its ambition to make its own space station, which is expected to remain in operation for at least 10 years. The ISS, meanwhile, could be retired in 2024.

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[rickysubutai]

US: Ban China from the ISS
China: Fine, guess I’ll start my own

[MaheshAdhikari]

Space race ?? Why race? China planned these missions 15 years ago. Amd they have plan for next 20-30 years. They did it for their development and research and study of their own. They were denied in international space station so they built their own.

[Wackymushrooms]

The US: *Bans China from the ISS*
China: *Builds their own space station instead*
The US: You weren't supposed to do that.

[MrCrazyboyravi]

China breathe air.
USA: Immediate National Security concern.

[ALWH]

The guy said “they deliberately pursue space program” as if any country would “unintentionally” develop a space program, lol.

[werw]

US sees everything as a race but the Chinese are smarter, they see it as a marathon. Its not about who becomes first it's about who remains the longest in the marathon.

[anupapasanjith]

There is no race, China is working on their schedule.

[netsurfer]

China : spent billion of dollars on space program.
US : spent billion of dollars meddling other countries business.

Race ??? What race ??

[MHaffiezMNazri]

The US is paranoid in many aspects, the police are paranoid and aggressive, and even scientists are paranoid 😂 love what China is doing, plus we've been doing business with China since the dynasty eras, thousands of years ago!

❤️❤️❤️ Malaysia

[gz]

Chinese just focus on their own schedule, but US call it “race”…

[mysticalwind]

Criticizing China, verbally attacking it and making unwarranted insinuations is part of the US strategy.
Not exactly the kinds of things a confident and a country with really good intentions would do.

[zijinchen]

US: CHINA IS RACING US INTO THE SPACE!
China: wait since when I’m in a race?

[rusdyaja]

Reporter laughing means mocking Chinese skills, maybe you are the smartest in the world😄😄😄😄😄😄😄

[goodfi]

CNBC management and reporters: Need to make this report sounds negative!

[bpang]

Legislation has been passed in the US Congress to bar China from participating in the International Space Station. The Chinese worked hard and now have their own space station. This is the most inspiring story of the century I have seen!

[nurwsama]

Race for the advantage of the humanity is always welcome. Without rival technology will become stagnant.

[johnnywalker]

We build arms and bombs and maintain 11 aircraft carriers and bases around the world as an imperialist power. And we’re borrowing money in order to sustain it

[Alesscamera]

Why is the reporter laughing? Why? Isn’t that disrespectful ?

[beautifulpakpk]

Chinese without doubt should be proud of being Chinese. So impressive Such short time to achieve so much !!!!

[irritatedanglosaxon]

Great leap for humankind. Jiayou China 🇨🇳🇨🇳🇨🇳!!!