--- title: "China Just Launched the First Astronauts to Its Space Station" description: "China just launched the first astronauts to its nascent space station, who blasted off aboard a Long March 2F rocket, a sign of its immense space ambitions." date: "2021-06-16" modified: "2021-06-16" authors: - name: "Jon Christian" job_title: "Executive Editor" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/jonc" url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/china-astronauts-space-station" categories: - "Off-World" - "Space" tags: - "china" - "space" - "space station" - "the digest" --- # China Just Launched the First Astronauts to Its Space Station ![China just launched the first astronauts to its nascent space station, who blasted off aboard a Long March 2F rocket, a sign of its immense space ambitions.]() *\Image: CNSA\* ## Big Night China just launched the first astronauts to its nascent space station, who blasted off aboard a Long March 2F rocket. Images [show the spacecraft]() already soaring high above the Earth. "We have invested so much energy," the rocket's designer, Rong Yi, [told *NBC News*](). "But I am thrilled to see it fulfill its duty within 10 minutes." ## Orbit Party The launch is significant because it's the first time humans have joined China's Tiangong-3 space station, but also because it's the first time China has sent any astronauts into orbit since 2016. "I believe that in the near future, when the Chinese space station is complete, we will see Chinese and foreign astronauts taking on joint missions," China Manned Space Agency Assistant Director Ji Qiming said at a news conference before the launch, per *NBC*'s reporting. ## Space Dream If all goes according to plan, China will launch 11 missions over the next two years to complete the space station. China has never been allowed to participate in the International Space Station, but Chinese authorities implied that other countries will be able to join its work on the Tiangong station. "Exploring the vast universe, developing space activities and building a powerful space nation is our unremitting space dream," Qiming added. **READ MORE:** ['Divine Vessel' rocket launches China's first human spaceflight since 2016]() \[*NBC News*\] **More on China:** [*China’s Space Station Will Have a Hubble-Class Telescope Attached*]() ## Author I'm responsible for editing, assigning, and scouting at Futurism, as well as occasionally writing for the site. That work involves keeping an eye on a wide range of narratives and issues, but over the past few years I've become increasingly interested in how AI is shaping the future of media, the web, and information itself. My day-to-day often involves collaborating on reporting and commentary projects bylined by my colleagues, but I try to find time to do my own reporting as well; stories I've broken for Futurism have been cited by publications including the New York Times, the Washington Post, the New Yorker, Wired, Ars Technica, New York Magazine, the Columbia Journalism Review, Bloomberg, and more. I grew up in Southern Vermont and attended Vanderbilt University. Prior to Futurism, I contributed to outlets including the Boston Globe, Vice, Wired, Slate, the Atlantic, the Outline, Ars Technica and more, and did stints in farming and food service. I currently live in Brooklyn, New York, and in my free time I enjoy pinball, word games, cycling, running, and music production. ### Author social links [Bluesky]()