China unveils logos for three space missions in 2025

China

China unveils logos for three space missions in 2025

2025-01-20 10:09 Last Updated At：17:27

The China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) revealed logos for three missions of China's space program this year on Monday, namely the crewed spaceships Shenzhou-20 and Shenzhou-21, and the cargo craft Tianzhou-9.

The logo of the Shenzhou-20 manned mission is in the shape of a stable triangle, its outer frame in red and the interior deep blue. The center of the logo shows the docking of the Shenzhou-20 manned spaceship with the space stations, while the solar panels of the two are set in the shape of Chinese character for twenty, the number of the manned mission.

The logo designed in distinct layers is a simulation of views through a porthole of the spaceship.

The logo of the Shenzhou-21 manned mission shows an astronaut's helmet, which emphasizes the central role of human being in the exploration of the universe. The top of the helmet is engraved with the year of the very mission.

The upper part of the helmet visor sports the successful docking of the Shenzhou-21 manned spaceship with the space station, while the lower part gives the outlines of China on Earth with the number of the manned mission below.

The logo has two circular rings surrounding the helmet that try to resemble both ancient Chinese astronomical instruments and celestial bodies.

The logo of Tianzhou-9 is designed with the Earth in the background and the docking of the cargo craft with the space station in the center. The number of nine is formed by trails from nine stars.

The red outer frame of the logo indicates national honor and mission, with golden inner circle displaying achievements. The deep blue inner circle represents the vast and boundless universe, which sets off the white cargo craft and space station.

China plans to successively launch Shenzhou-20 and Shenzhou-21 manned spacecrafts from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China this year. At the second half of this year, the country plans to launch the Tianzhou-9 cargo craft from the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in south China.

Bulgaria officially adopts euro with short transition period

Bulgaria joined the eurozone and adopted the euro as its official currency on New Year's Day, becoming the 21st member of the euro area.

To ensure a smooth transition to the new currency, throughout January, the Bulgarian lev will remain in circulation alongside the euro. Starting Feb. 1, the euro will become the country's sole legal tender.

From Jan. 1 to June 30, the exchange of lev for euros is free of charge at banks and post offices. After this period, currency exchanges will be subject to a fee.

The Bulgarian National Bank has stated that it will exchange levs for euros indefinitely, continuing the process for as long as necessary. But it added that the mandatory dual pricing of goods and services in euro and lev will end on Aug. 8, 2026. Officials and experts have expressed their confidence in the transition process.

Vladimir Ivanov, chairman of Bulgaria's State Commission on Commodity Exchanges and Markets, described 2025 as a year of market stabilization in a brief meeting, saying he expected 2026 to begin similarly, "especially after transaction costs decrease with the introduction of the euro."

Nikolay Valkanov, executive director of the Association for Modern Trade, also said in an interview that retailers, from large chains to small shops, had made significant efforts to ensure a smooth transition to the new currency.

Eurozone accession has been a central priority for the Bulgarian government ever since the country joined the EU in 2007.

It was not until June 4, 2025, that the European Commission announced Bulgaria had met all convergence criteria. On July 8, 2025, the Council of the European Union formally approved Bulgaria's adoption of the euro, effective Jan. 1, 2026.

The eurozone came into existence with the official launch of the euro on Jan. 1, 1999, in 11 countries including France, Germany and Austria.

Currently among the 27 EU countries, there are still six members, namely Sweden, Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, and Denmark, that have not yet adopted the euro.