The China Manned Space Agency unveiled logos on Monday for three key missions in China’s manned space programme this year.

The launches of the crewed spaceships Shenzhou-20 and Shenzhou-21, and the cargo craft Tianzhou-9.

The CMSA said these new logos symbolise the courage and determination of Chinese astronauts and their commitment to exploring the mysteries of the universe.

A logo has been designed for each manned mission since China’s first manned spaceflight, Shenzhou-5, in 2003.

The CMSA has opened logo solicitation for the country’s space missions since 2023 and has maintained this approach since then.

According to the CMSA, crews for the Shenzhou-20 and Shenzhou-21 missions will consist of three astronauts each.

Shenzhou-20 is set to dock with the radial port of the space station’s core module, while Shenzhou-21 will dock with its front port.

The main tasks of the astronauts will include extravehicular activities, cargo outbound deliveries via the station’s cargo airlock module, and conducting space science experiments and technology tests.

In the second half of 2025, China plans to launch the Tianzhou-9 cargo spacecraft from the Wenchang Space Launch Site in its southern Hainan Province.

This mission will deliver supplies for astronauts, propellants to ensure the space station’s operation, various payloads, and more.

China’s manned space station project has entered its application and development stage with two manned spacecraft missions and one to two cargo missions planned annually.

(Xinhua/NAN)