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China’s Shenzhou XV manned spaceship successfully docked (成功对接) with the space station combination in November 2022. As the last step in the building of the Tiangong space station, the Shenzhou XV mission (任务) also means the first step in use of the space station. Here are some of the highlights (亮点) of the mission.

Two groups meet in orbit for first time

The two groups of Shenzhou XV and Shenzhou XIV spacecraft get together in orbit (在轨道上), and will stay together in the space station for a few days. The in-orbit rotation (旋转) will become usual after the space station is put into use.

Six Chinese astronauts in space together

After the three Shenzhou XV group members go into the space station, there are now six astronauts in orbit. And all over the world, there are now a total of 13 astronauts in space, with the other seven on the International Space Station (3 from the United States, 3 from Russia and 1 from Japan). So, now China is the country with most people in the space.

The space station at its biggest

China’s space business surprises the world now. Following the arrival of the Shenzhou XV spacecraft, the Tiangong space station has developed into its biggest size. At present, it is one of the biggest space-based structures people have ever built in outer space.

During their six-month stay, the three astronauts of the Shenzhou XV mission will also perform extravehicular (舱外) activities four times.