China: Rocket propellant loading begins for Shenzhou-23 mission.

Loading of propellant into the Long March 2F Y23 carrier rocket for China's upcoming Shenzhou-23 crewed mission began on Saturday at the launch site of northwest China's Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. Fuel loading is currently underway and is expected to be completed at 13:00. Subsequently, oxidizer filling will follow, with all loading operations expected to conclude at 17:00. The Shenzhou-23 spaceship is scheduled to be launched at 23:08 Sunday (Beijing Time) from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) announced on Saturday. Shenzhou-23 is the seventh crewed mission during the application and development stage of China's space station, and the 40th flight mission of the country's manned space program. Shotlist: Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, northwest China - May 23, 2026: 1. Various of launch tower, engineers, crane. [Restrictions: No access Chinese mainland]