China female spaceflight engineer realises dream
The Straits Times|October 31, 2024
Three Chinese astronauts, including China's only female spaceflight engineer, entered the Tiangong space station on Oct 30 following an early morning launch into orbit.
China female spaceflight engineer realises dream

The Shenzhou-19 mission took off with its trio of space explorers at 4.27am from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in north-west China, state news agency Xinhua and state broadcaster CCTV reported.

Among the crew is Lieutenant-Colonel Wang Haoze, 34, who is China's only female spaceflight engineer, according to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA). She is the third Chinese woman to take part in a crewed mission.

The crew arrived around 12.51pm and met with the astronauts from the previous Shenzhou-18 mission, "starting a new round of in-orbit crew handover", state news agency Xinhua said.

The new Tiangong team will carry out experiments with an eye to the space programme's ambitious goal of placing astronauts on the moon by 2030 and eventually constructing a lunar base.

"Like everyone else, I dream of going to the space station to have a look," Lt-Col Wang told a media gathering on Oct 29 alongside her fellow crew members, lined up behind podiums and tall panes of glass to seal them off from the public.

"I want to meticulously complete each task and protect our home in space," she said.

"I also want to travel in deep space and wave at the stars."

This story is from the October 31, 2024 edition of The Straits Times.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the October 31, 2024 edition of The Straits Times.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM THE STRAITS TIMESView All
Japan's True Blue Tradition
The Straits Times

Japan's True Blue Tradition

Call it an antidote to fast fashion. Japanese jeans hand-dyed with natural indigo and weaved on a clackety vintage loom, then sold at a premium to global denim connoisseurs.

time-read
3 mins  |
January 05, 2025
The Straits Times

6 easy dishes to pack for lunch

Nutritionists and food content creators suggest these healthy and convenient recipes

time-read
7 mins  |
January 05, 2025
Don't cross Culinary Class Wars star Anh Sung-jae of three-Michelin-starred Mosu
The Straits Times

Don't cross Culinary Class Wars star Anh Sung-jae of three-Michelin-starred Mosu

On an early episode of Netflix's hit reality cooking show Culinary Class Wars (2024), chef Anh Sung-jae stood in a warehouse filled with makeshift cooking stations and considered the plate in front of him: a rainbow palette of handmade pastas, purees and delicately cooked seafood. On top was a smattering of flower petals.

time-read
4 mins  |
January 05, 2025
Emerald Hill to make Netflix debut
The Straits Times

Emerald Hill to make Netflix debut

Emerald Hill looks set to be the must-watch local blockbuster series of 2025.

time-read
3 mins  |
January 05, 2025
Refreshed museums in SG60 arts
The Straits Times

Refreshed museums in SG60 arts

A timely slate of refreshed spaces and new programmes at Singapore's arts and cultural institutions will be launched in 2025, wooing audiences with a different Singapore story as the nation gears up to mark 60 years of independence.

time-read
3 mins  |
January 05, 2025
Going casual to woo fickle diners
The Straits Times

Going casual to woo fickle diners

Serious artwork on the wall. Bespoke crockery on cloth-covered tables. A fine wine list. Eye-watering menu prices. Just don't call it a fine-dining restaurant.

time-read
2 mins  |
January 05, 2025
Smartwatches Make Healthcare Smarter
The Straits Times

Smartwatches Make Healthcare Smarter

From tracking heart rate to steps taken to sleep quality, smartwatches and fitness trackers can generate biometric data about the people using them.

time-read
4 mins  |
January 05, 2025
Quality, not quantity, rules the superhero game
The Straits Times

Quality, not quantity, rules the superhero game

In 2025, the big studios are rolling up their sleeves to tackle a disease plaguing the box office – superhero fatigue.

time-read
3 mins  |
January 05, 2025
Big-name musicals to hit the stage
The Straits Times

Big-name musicals to hit the stage

Soothing melodies and soaring high notes are set to fill the air, as the coming year brings along a host of musicals to the Lion City.

time-read
4 mins  |
January 05, 2025
Celebrating design with SG60, new hotels and theme parks
The Straits Times

Celebrating design with SG60, new hotels and theme parks

Architecture and urban design take centre stage in 2025, with marquee events such as a year-long celebration of Singapore's 60th year of independence (SG60) and launches of Sentosa attractions to enhance the destination's \"islander allure\".

time-read
3 mins  |
January 05, 2025