Shenzhou

Overview

China's crewed spacecraft, ferrying three taikonauts at a time to the Tiangong station; built by the China Academy of Space Technology (CAST).

Operational crew vehicle since 2003; Shenzhou-23 launched May 24, 2026 with a three-taikonaut crew including China's first Hong Kong astronaut. On August 28, 2026 that crew completed its first spacewalk, repairing a Tiangong solar wing and installing debris shields. Shenzhou-24 is still planned for around October 2026 and is expected to carry the first foreign (Pakistani) payload specialist to Tiangong.

Key Specs

Crew Capacity

3

First Crewed Flight

2003 (Shenzhou 5)

Launch Vehicle

Long March 2F

Primary Role

Tiangong crew rotation