China reveals logos for three manned space missions in 2023

Logos of three missions of China's manned space program in 2023, namely the launches of the cargo craft Tianzhou-6 (Yellow), and the crewed spaceships Shenzhou-16 (Blue) and Shenzhou-17 (Red). /CFP

The China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) has revealed logos for three manned space missions this year: the launches of the cargo craft Tianzhou-6, and the crewed spaceships Shenzhou-16 and Shenzhou-17.

According to the CMSA, it was the first open logo solicitation of China's manned space program. 

Since the launch of the logo call on February 15 this year, the CMSA has received more than 1,500 submissions from over 500 organizations and individuals across China. 

The logo of the cargo craft Tianzhou-6, one of China's three manned space program in 2023. /China Manned Space Agency

After the preliminary selection, online voting and final validation, the three logos, which were designed by Xiaoao Tiangong Culture and Art (Beijing) Center, Beijing Institute of Space Science and Technology Information, and a postgraduate student at Sichuan Fine Arts Institute, respectively, were officially released.

The logo of the crewed spaceships Shenzhou-16, one of China's three manned space program in 2023. /China Manned Space Agency

The selected logos were well designed and filled with the best wishes for China's space station. 

The logo of the Shenzhou-16 mission even incorporates the "Kun," a sacred animal from Chinese mythology, which flies extremely high, far and steadily.

The logo of the crewed spaceships Shenzhou-16, one of China's three manned space program in 2023. /China Manned Space Agency

The Tianzhou-6 cargo craft is expected to be launched in May this year. 

The Shenzhou-16 and Shenzhou-17 spaceships will be launched in May and October, respectively, and will dock with the space station to form a combination of three modules and three spaceships, according to an earlier announcement made by the CMSA.