Shenzhou 8 was a Chinese crewed spacecraft launched on November 1, 2011. It was part of China's Shenzhou program and aimed to test technologies for future space missions. The spacecraft successfully docked with the Tiangong 1 space laboratory, marking a significant achievement in China's efforts to develop its space capabilities. The mission lasted about 12 days, during which Shenzhou 8 conducted various experiments and technology demonstrations. This mission was crucial for paving the way for future crewed missions and the establishment of a permanent Chinese space station, enhancing China's presence in space exploration.