Jiuquan: The new Chinese mission carrying three astronauts to the space station docked successfully, as reported by state-run media CGTN. Astronauts of the Shenzhou-20 mission, including Chen Dong, Chen Zhongrui, and Wang Jie, will conduct experiments on various aspects in the indigenously built Tiangong space station over the next six-month mission, according to the China Manned Space Agency.

According to Anadolu Agency, Chen Dong will serve as the mission commander. The crew is set to perform experiments related to life in space, human research, microgravity physics, and new space technologies. They will also engage in extravehicular activities, such as payload deployment, retrieval, cargo handling, and the installation of space debris protection devices.

The astronauts are also assigned to experiment with developing artificial brain models and preparing superconducting materials, as reported by the South China Morning Post. This mission marks China's fifth manned flight in the application and development stage of its space station and the 35th flight mission since the inception of the manned space project.

The previous crew of the Shenzhou-19 is scheduled to return to Earth next Tuesday. The Shenzhou-20 spaceship was launched into space at 5:17 p.m. local time (0917GMT) from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China.