Shenzhou-20 and Long March-2F Ready at Jiuquan for Crewed Launch to Tiangong Space Station

The Shenzhou-20 crewed spacecraft, together with a Long March-2F Y20 carrier rocket, has been vertically transferred to the launch area at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China's Gobi Desert, according to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA). The rollout process, which took over two hours, was completed on April 16. The rocket fairing contains the Shenzhou-20 spacecraft. All facilities and equipment at the launch site, including the service tower, are reported to be in good condition. The spacecraft and rocket will undergo final functional checks in the coming days. The launch is scheduled to take place at an appropriate time in the near future, pending technical and weather assessments. Shenzhou-20 will transport three astronauts to the Tiangong space station, marking China's 15th manned spaceflight and the ninth crew rotation for the station. The names of the three crew members have not yet been disclosed. The Shenzhou-20 crew will take over from the Shenzhou XIX team—Senior Colonel Cai Xuzhe, Lieutenant Colonel Song Lingdong, and Lieutenant Colonel Wang Haoze—who will have spent nearly six months in orbit by the end of April.