China is launching a space mission where one astronaut will spend a full year aboard the Tiangong space station. This extended stay is part of Beijing's accelerated plans for a crewed lunar mission by 2030.

China is launching a three-man space flight to its Tiangong space station Sunday, where one astronaut will remain in orbit for a full year to prepare for future flights to the Moon. Beijing has said it aims to send a crewed mission to the Moon by 2030, having poured billions into its space programme over the past three decades.