China sends 3 astronauts to Tiangong space station in picture-perfect launch

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Key Points

China launched three astronauts, including a woman, into space, early on Wednesday, for a six-month mission to the Tiangong space station as part of the Asian giant's ambitious space programme..

This is the country's 14th crewed space mission...

The crew consists of Commander Cai Xuzhe, 48, who previously participated in the Shenzhou 14 mission, and two rookie astronauts - Song Lingdong, 34, a former air force pilot, and Wang Haoze, 34, a spaceflight engineer and China's third female astronaut...

The crew is expected to return to Earth in late April or early May 2025, concluding a mission that will further advance China's space program and contribute to scientific knowledge through the various experiments planned during their stay on the Tiangong station...

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