Chinese astronauts synthesized oxygen in orbit for the first time

The crew of China's Shenzhou-19 spacecraft on China's Tiangong orbital station was able to obtain oxygen and ingredients for rocket fuel for the first time. The South China Morning Post reported on January 20.

"A series of experiments aboard the Chinese space station have produced oxygen and ingredients for rocket fuel for the first time - key steps considered essential for the survival of mankind and future space exploration," the paper said.

The South China Morning Post wrote that the event paved the way for long-term space exploration, including a manned moon landing that China plans to accomplish by 2030.

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Earlier, on Jan. 16, India performed unmanned docking in space for the first time. The docking technology is necessary for tasks such as satellite servicing and multiple rocket launches. India has thus become the fourth country to successfully complete the mission. Earlier, Russia, the US and China were able to dock.