Sharjah 24 – AFP: A crew of three astronauts from China's Shenzhou-18 mission embarked on a journey to the Tiangong space station on Thursday, marking the latest milestone in Beijing's ambitious space program aimed at lunar exploration by 2030.

The astronauts, led by Ye Guangfu, a seasoned fighter pilot and astronaut, were launched atop a Long March-2F rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in China's northwest at 8:59 pm local time (1259 GMT). Joining Ye are Li Cong and Li Guangsu, both venturing into space for the first time.

The launch, witnessed by onlookers, elicited cheers as the rocket ascended into the night sky, with the mission subsequently declared a "complete success" by state news agency Xinhua.

Over the next six months, the astronauts will reside at the Tiangong space station, conducting experiments in various scientific disciplines including basic physics, space material science, life science, medicine, and technology.

Among their endeavors, the crew aims to establish an onboard aquarium and study fish behavior in zero gravity, a pioneering effort that could pave the way for future space-based food production.

Additionally, experiments involving fruit flies and mice are planned, offering insights into the effects of space travel on biological organisms.

The Shenzhou-18 team will replace the previous occupants of the Tiangong station, the Shenzhou-17 crew, who arrived in October.

China's ambitious space program, often dubbed the "space dream," has gained momentum under President Xi Jinping's leadership. With aspirations to become a major space power, China has invested heavily in its military-run space initiatives, including plans for lunar exploration and the establishment of a lunar base by 2030.

Excluded from the International Space Station since 2011, China developed its own space outpost, the Tiangong station, which serves as a crucial component of its space endeavors. With a fully crewed facility completed in 2022, the Tiangong is expected to remain operational in low Earth orbit for at least a decade, symbolizing China's significant strides in space exploration.