Zhai Zhigang, Wang Yaping and Ye Guangfu wave at the launch ceremony. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins
Three Chinese astronauts arrived at the China-built space station.
They will remain for six months to assist with the establishment of the station. China is not allowed on the ISS.
China plans to complete its space station by 2022.
Three Chinese astronauts arrived at China's space station to begin a six-month mission.
According to the China Manned Space Agency, they arrived in Shenzhou-13 spacecraft on Saturday morning. The China Manned Space Agency stated that the crew was in "good condition" and that the launch was a success.
China was previously barred from accessing the International Space Station. It is currently building its own station, which it hopes to complete by 2022.
Zhai Zhigang and Wang Yaping will stay six months. This will be the longest ever mission to the station and will aid in its setup.
After a three-month mission, three Chinese astronauts returned to the station in September. This was the first time that a crew flew to the station.
China plans to build a Chinese Space Station that weighs 66 tons, according to Insider's Morgan McFall Johnsen.
In 2011, US lawmakers banned Chinese astronauts from the International Space Station (ISS). The ISS could be retired by 2030, as it is getting older.
China Manned Space Agency stated that the crew will perform tasks such as mechanical arm operation and extravehicular activity, as well as module transfer, in order to verify key technologies, such as long-term space residence, recycling resources, and life support for astronauts.
Business Insider has the original article.
