China Launches Shenzhou-22

China launched the Shenzhou-22 spaceship from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China on Tuesday, marking the first emergency launch mission in the country’s manned space program.

A few minutes after liftoff, the CMSA announced that the Shenzhou-22 spacecraft successfully separated from the Long March rocket and entered its planned orbit, marking a complete success for the launch mission. 

This is the first emergency launch in the history of China’s manned space program, the China Manned Space Agency said.

According to previous media reports, the Shenzhou-22 spacecraft will be fully loaded with cargo, including food for in-orbit taikonauts and equipment for the space station.