Four milestones in China's space journey

China is preparing to launch the Shenzhou-20 manned spacecraft at 5:17 pm on April 24 (Beijing Time), a fitting tribute to the 10th Space Day of China. Since the 1950s, China's space program has made remarkable progress. Here are four major milestones in its space odyssey:

1. Dongfanghong-1 – China's first satellite (1970)

On April 24, 1970, China launched its first satellite, Dongfanghong-1, becoming the fifth nation to independently send a satellite into space. This historic moment marked China's official entry into the space age and laid the foundation for future space exploration.

2. Shenzhou-5 – China's first manned space flight (2003)

On October 15, 2003, Yang Liwei became the first Chinese astronaut to enter space aboard the Shenzhou-5 spacecraft. With this achievement, China became the third country to independently master human spaceflight technology – a significant leap in its aerospace capabilities.

3. Chang'e-1 – China's first lunar probe (2007)

Launched on October 24, 2007, Chang'e-1 was China's first lunar probe, opening a new chapter in space exploration. Its successful orbit around the Moon made China the fifth nation to complete a lunar mission.

4. Tiangong-2 – China's first true space lab (2016)

On September 15, 2016, China launched its first true space laboratory, Tiangong-2, marking a major step toward the construction of China's own space station.

As China's space exploration continues, it inspires future generations to keep reaching for the stars.