China Begins Final Rocket Fueling for Shenzhou-23 Space Mission

China has begun the final propellant filling process for the Long March-2F Y23 carrier rocket ahead of the launch of the Shenzhou-23 mission, scheduled for 23:08 Beijing time on Sunday.

Fuel loading operations started Saturday morning, marking a key milestone in preparations for China’s latest crewed spaceflight mission.

According to officials, the initial fuel loading phase was completed successfully before operations shifted to oxidizer loading, which is expected to conclude later in the day.

Experts from the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation said the Y23 rocket includes major upgrades over its predecessor, featuring 10 technical improvements to the launch vehicle and six additional upgrades to ground support systems.

The enhancements include refined raw materials, improved manufacturing processes, and upgraded electronic systems aimed at boosting launch reliability and operational efficiency.

A major innovation in this mission is an upgraded propellant loading system capable of processing real-time meteorological data.

The technology allows the rocket to adjust fueling operations based on environmental conditions such as temperature and humidity, improving safety during the critical fueling stage.

Officials said post-fueling operations will include rocket alignment, vertical adjustments, and monitoring of propellant tank pressure ahead of launch.

Shenzhou-23 will be the seventh crewed mission during the operational phase of China’s space station program and the 40th mission of the country’s manned space program. Agency