China is set to launch its Shenzhou-20 crewed mission on April 24, 2025, marking a significant milestone in its ambitious space exploration program. The mission will carry three astronauts to the Tiangong space station, where they are expected to stay for approximately six months. This mission is part of China’s broader goal to establish a sustainable human presence on the Moon by 2030.

The Shenzhou-20 spacecraft will be launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center aboard a Long March 2F rocket. The crew members, whose identities have not been publicly disclosed as of now, will join the existing team aboard the Tiangong space station. Their tasks will include conducting scientific experiments, performing spacewalks, and maintaining the station’s systems. This mission follows the successful Shenzhou-19 mission and precedes the upcoming Shenzhou-21 mission, continuing China’s commitment to regular crewed missions to its space station.

The Tiangong space station, which has been operational since 2022, serves as a platform for China’s long-term human spaceflight objectives. By maintaining a continuous human presence in low Earth orbit, China aims to develop the necessary technologies and expertise for future deep space missions, including crewed lunar landings. The Shenzhou-20 mission is a testament to China’s growing capabilities in space exploration and its determination to achieve its lunar ambitions within the next five years.

As the launch date approaches, the global space community is closely monitoring China’s progress, recognizing the Shenzhou-20 mission as a critical step toward realizing the nation’s vision for a manned lunar presence.