Shenzhou 9 is a crewed spacecraft developed by China as part of its human spaceflight program. Launched on June 16, 2012, it was the first mission to dock with the Tiangong 1 space laboratory. The mission lasted about 13 days and included three astronauts, marking a significant step in China's efforts to establish a permanent human presence in space. During the mission, the crew conducted scientific experiments and technology demonstrations. The successful docking with Tiangong 1 showcased China's growing capabilities in space exploration and paved the way for future missions, including the development of a modular space station.