China is set to launch its Shenzhou XVI spacecraft on Tuesday, carrying three astronauts to the Tiangong space station. The mission marks the inaugural flight for China’s third generation of astronauts and will be the first time a Chinese civilian has ventured beyond Earth’s atmosphere. The crew roster includes mission commander Major General Jing Haipeng, Colonel Zhu Yangzhu, and Professor Gui Haichao, who will spend approximately five months on the Tiangong space station. They will undertake spacewalks to install equipment and ensure ongoing maintenance of the station, as well as supporting the docking and departure of visiting spacecraft and conducting scientific experiments. The third generation of astronauts includes civilians recruited from the ranks of researchers and engineers, consisting of 17 men and one woman.
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