China is making history once again as the country’s only female spaceflight engineer, Wang Haoze, is set to join a new crew of three astronauts heading to the Tiangong space station. The Shenzhou-19 mission is scheduled to launch at 4:27 am on Wednesday from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China.
Wang Haoze will be the third Chinese woman to participate in a crewed mission, showcasing China’s commitment to gender equality in space exploration. The team, led by Cai Xuzhe, will conduct their mission and return to Earth in late April or early May next year, according to CMSA Deputy Director Lin Xiqiang.
Cai Xuzhe, a former air force pilot with experience from a previous mission aboard Tiangong, brings valuable expertise to the team. Additionally, Song Lingdong has been announced as part of the astronaut lineup, joining Wang and Cai in their space journey.
The current crew aboard the Tiangong space station is preparing to return to Earth on November 4 after completing handover procedures with the incoming astronauts. The rotation of teams every six months ensures continuous human presence on the space station, further advancing China’s space exploration efforts.
China’s space programme, under President Xi Jinping’s leadership, has achieved significant milestones such as landing robotic rovers on Mars and the Moon. The Tiangong space station represents the country’s dedication to fulfilling its “space dream” and aims to send a crewed mission to the Moon by 2030, with plans to establish a base on the lunar surface.
As China continues to expand its presence in space, the inclusion of female astronauts like Wang Haoze highlights the country’s commitment to inclusivity and diversity in the field of space exploration. With each new mission, China moves closer to realizing its ambitious goals in space exploration and establishing itself as a key player in the global space community.
