Shenzhou-20 crew enters China's Tiangong space station

By Yasin Gungor

ISTANBUL (AA) - The three astronauts aboard China's Shenzhou-20 spaceship successfully entered the Tiangong space station early Friday, meeting the incumbent Shenzhou-19 crew, the station announced on X.

Commander Chen Dong, along with Chen Zhongrui and Wang Jie, arrived following their launch Thursday from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China at 5.17 p.m. local time (0917GMT).

During their six-month stay aboard the station, the crew will conduct a range of scientific experiments, including studies on space life science, human research, microgravity physics and new space technologies.

The astronauts will also experiment on developing artificial brain models and the preparation of superconducting materials.

The mission plan also includes several extravehicular activities (EVAs), or spacewalks, in which the astronauts will deploy and retrieve scientific payloads, handle cargo and install space debris protection devices outside the station.

This marks China's fifth manned flight during the space station's application and development phase and the 35th flight overall for its manned space program.

The Shenzhou-19 crew is scheduled to depart the station and return to Earth next Tuesday, completing their own mission.