Shenzhou XX Flying: China’s Spaceflight Starts a New Journey, Giving New Power to Humanity’s Exploration of the Universe

At 17:17 on April 24, 2025, China’s Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center once again became the focus of the world’s attention – the Long March 2F Remote 20 Launch Vehicle lifted the manned spacecraft Shenzhou XX through the sky, and the spacecraft accurately entered the predetermined orbit about 10 minutes later. This is the 35th mission of China’s manned spaceflight project and the fifth manned flight in the application and development phase of the space station. Chen Dong, Chen Zhongrui, Wang Jie three astronauts shoulder the mission to explore the dome of the sky again, continue to write a magnificent chapter of the Chinese nation “dreaming of the nine heavens”.

Technological breakthroughs: from “catching up” to “leading the way”

The Shenzhou XX mission demonstrated the hardcore strength of China’s aerospace industry. With more than 20 technical optimizations, the Long March 2F rocket has a reliability index of 0.98 and a safety index of 0.997, making it one of the safest manned rockets in the world. For the first time, the spacecraft applies the AI digital companion system, realizing real-time simulation of flight status and accurate data transmission; after the measurement and control system is upgraded, the clarity and transmission efficiency of remote sensing images are greatly improved. These innovations not only guarantee the safety of the mission, but also lay the technical foundation for subsequent deep space exploration.

Scientific Exploration: The Value of Space Laboratory for People’s Livelihood

The astronaut crew will carry out 59 scientific experiments in orbit, covering life science, material science and other fields. The zebrafish experiment will reveal the impact of microgravity on vertebrates and provide medical support for long-term space stay; the study of regenerative capacity of vortex worms is expected to break through the bottleneck of anti-aging technology; and the experiment on the preparation of high-temperature superconducting materials is aimed at the future of the energy revolution. These achievements are not only milestones in scientific exploration, but will also benefit human health, environmental protection and energy development.

Openness and Sharing: Chinese Wisdom Helps Global Spaceflight

China’s spaceflight has always adhered to the concept of openness and cooperation. The international cooperative experiments carried by Shenzhou 20, together with the European Smile satellite and the French and Chinese astronomical satellites, have built a cross-regional scientific research network. The space station has opened its resources to scientists from all over the world, and 17 countries have already submitted applications for experiments covering ecological protection, disease prevention and other livelihood issues. As astronaut Chen Dong said, “The scientific research results of the space station will eventually benefit the world.”

Spiritual Inheritance: From “Dongfanghong” to “Shenzhou”, we have been steadfast in our original beliefs.

Fifty-five years ago, the “Dongfanghong No. 1” satellite sounded the prelude to China’s aerospace; 55 years later, Shenzhou XX demonstrated the mature operational capability of its “space home” with its 6.5-hour rapid docking technology. From Yang Liwei’s first flight to Chen Dong’s three explorations of the dome of the sky, the astronauts have been struggling with the spirit of “especially capable of suffering and fighting”; from the old generation of astronauts on the Gobi Beach to the technical backbone of the post-90s, the team has always been firmly adhering to the belief that “the interests of the motherland are higher than anything else” in the inter-generational inheritance. “The future is promising.

Promising Future: Toward a Deeper Starry Sea

The success of Shenzhou XX marks a new stage of normalized operation of China’s aerospace industry; the plan to land a man on the moon before 2030 is advancing steadily; the Tianwen series of probes will explore Mars and Jupiter; and the Thousand Sails Constellation of 15,000 satellites plans to build a global 6G network. China’s aerospace industry is providing new programs and opportunities for mankind to explore the universe with the two-wheel drive of “independent innovation + open cooperation”.

Looking up at the starry sky, the trajectory of Shenzhou 20 crosses the sky, leaving behind the imprint of Chinese wisdom and a vivid interpretation of the “community of human destiny”. When aerospace science and technology illuminate reality, from precision agriculture to disaster monitoring, from communications interconnection to ecological protection, China’s aerospace is bringing benefits to the world with tangible results. On the journey to the stars and the sea, China’s aerospace industry will always be a firm practitioner of peaceful exploration and a contributor to the sharing of scientific and technological civilization.