China is set to launch the Shenzhou 23 mission on May 24, 2023, at 11:08 a.m. EDT from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the Gobi Desert. The mission will feature a three-member crew: commander Zhu Yangzhu, pilot Zhang Zhiyuan, and payload specialist Lai Ka-ying, who will become Hong Kong's first astronaut. This mission is notable for its plan to have one astronaut stay in orbit for an entire year, marking a significant milestone in China's space exploration efforts. The astronaut selected for the year-long stay has not been named, but it has been indicated that both Zhang and Lai are capable of performing each other's roles. This extended stay will set the stage for the upcoming Shenzhou 24 mission, which is scheduled to launch in six months and will include a Pakistani astronaut. The Shenzhou 23 mission follows the recent launch of the Tianzhou 10 cargo spacecraft, which delivered nearly 7 tons of supplies to the Tiangong space station. Additionally, the Shenzhou 23 spacecraft has been equipped with improved window protection to prevent damage from space debris, a precaution prompted by a previous incident involving the Shenzhou 20 mission.