China’s Shenzhou 20 Mission Launches to Tiangong Space Station
On April 24, 2025, China successfully launched the Shenzhou 20 mission, sending three astronauts—Chen Dong, Chen Zhongrui, and Wang Jie—to the Tiangong space station. The crew lifted off aboard a Long March 2F rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center at 09:17 UTC and docked with the Tianhe core module later that day. This marks China's 15th crewed spaceflight and the 20th mission in the Shenzhou program. The astronauts are set for a six-month stay, conducting experiments in space medicine and technology, performing extravehicular activities, and continuing upgrades to the space station.
Soyuz MS-27 Delivers International Crew to the ISS
Earlier this month, on April 8, 2025, Russia's Soyuz MS-27 mission launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome, transporting cosmonauts Sergey Ryzhikov and Alexey Zubritsky, along with NASA astronaut Jonny Kim, to the International Space Station (ISS). The spacecraft docked with the ISS approximately three hours after liftoff, marking the beginning of a planned 240-day mission.
Notable Rocket Launches This Week
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SpaceX CRS-32 Mission: On April 21, 2025, SpaceX launched its 32nd commercial resupply services mission for NASA. A Falcon 9 rocket carried approximately 6,700 pounds of scientific investigations and cargo to the ISS, including experiments on vision-based navigation, air quality, and plant growth.
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Minotaur IV Launch: On April 16, 2025, a Minotaur IV rocket launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base, carrying two payloads for the National Reconnaissance Office (NROL-174). This marked the first Minotaur IV launch from Vandenberg since 2011.
China Plans Nuclear Power Plant on the Moon
China has announced plans to construct a nuclear power plant on the Moon to support a permanent lunar research station being developed in collaboration with Russia. The International Lunar Research Station is scheduled to be operational by 2035, aiming to conduct significant lunar research by 2050. The nuclear facility will supplement solar energy sources, enabling sustained activity on the Moon. Countries such as Azerbaijan, Belarus, Pakistan, South Africa, and Venezuela have already joined the initiative.
Blue Origin's All-Women Spaceflight Sparks Debate
On April 14, 2025, Blue Origin's New Shepard NS-31 mission launched an all-female crew, including Katy Perry, Gayle King, Lauren Sánchez, Aisha Bowe, Amanda Nguyen, and Kerianne Flynn, on a sub-orbital flight lasting 10 minutes and 21 seconds. While the mission was celebrated as a historic event, it faced criticism from public figures and officials who questioned its purpose and resource allocation amid global challenges. US Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy argued that Blue Origin misrepresented the participants as astronauts, citing FAA criteria that require essential contributions to flight safety.
The Role of Space Exploration in Addressing Earth's Challenges
A recent article in The Guardian highlights the vital role of space exploration in improving life on Earth, countering growing scepticism. It emphasizes that space science significantly benefits Earth science, noting how satellite remote sensing aids in climate monitoring, ecological protection, precision agriculture, urban planning, and managing public health. The piece argues that space exploration is critical to addressing pressing environmental and societal challenges.
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