Long March 2F Archives - SpaceNews

Liftoff of the Long March 2F carrying Shenzhou-12 at 9:22 p.m. Eastern, June 16, 2021.

China launches reusable spaceplane on fourth secretive orbital mission

by Andrew Jones February 7, 2026February 7, 2026

China launched its experimental reusable spacecraft for the fourth time late Friday, once again maintaining strict secrecy around the mission.

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Damaged Shenzhou-20 spacecraft survives reentry, Shenzhou-23 arrives at spaceport

by Andrew Jones January 22, 2026January 22, 2026

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China faces temporary emergency launch gap after space station lifeboat crisis

by Andrew Jones December 5, 2025December 5, 2025

Shenzhou-21 completes rapid docking with Tiangong space station 3.5 hours after launch

by Andrew Jones October 31, 2025October 31, 2025

View from Shenzhou-20 spacecraft showing the docking interface with the Tiangong space station on April 24, 2025. The image captures the moment of docking, with structural elements and connection points of both spacecraft visible under bright illumination.

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Shenzhou-20 crewed spacecraft arrives at Tiangong space station

by Andrew Jones April 24, 2025April 24, 2025

Shenzhou-19 spacecraft arrives at Tiangong for crew rotation

by Andrew Jones October 30, 2024October 30, 2024

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China’s Shenzhou-18 crew arrive at Tiangong space station

by Andrew Jones April 25, 2024April 25, 2024

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Shenzhou-17 crew arrives at Tiangong space station

by Andrew Jones October 26, 2023October 26, 2023

China rolls out rocket for Shenzhou-17 mission to Tiangong

by Andrew Jones October 19, 2023November 9, 2023

A view from the Shenzhou-16 docking system as it approaches its docking port on the orbiting Tianhe module.

Shenzhou-16 astronauts arrive at China’s space station

by Andrew Jones May 30, 2023July 18, 2023