China has achieved a new milestone in its manned space program, with the country's first international standard project being officially registered by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
This represents China's first successful international standard in the field of manned spaceflight and a breakthrough in global space rule-making.
According to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA), the project - ISO/NP 14620-5 "Space Systems - Safety Requirements - Part 5: Manned Spacecraft" - was proposed by China's National Technical Committee on Manned Spaceflight Standardization.
Based on extensive research and by drawing on advanced international safety technologies and methodologies, the standard incorporates more than 30 years of safety experience from China's manned space program, according to the CMSA.
It provides unified technical guidance and models for manned spacecraft safety applicable to all countries, setting out safety access conditions for participation in manned space activities.
Serving as the safety baseline and threshold for ensuring safety in manned space missions and developing related systems and payloads, the standard is also expected to facilitate international cooperation on China's space station.
China's first int'l standard in manned spaceflight marks breakthrough in global rule-making
Russia on Friday reported seizing eight cities and towns over the past week, while Ukraine claimed on the same day that its forces had stabilized the situation in the direction of Kupyansk, according to two separate statements released by the two sides.
The Russian Ministry of Defense said in its latest report that over the past week, its forces had controlled eight cities and towns, including Seversk, over the past week in the special military operation zone.
It also said that in response to Ukraine's attacks on the civilian facilities in Russia, the Russian armed forces had launched one large-scale attack and five coordinated attacks from Dec 6 to Dec 12.
The targets included Ukrainian military-industrial enterprises and their associated fuel and energy facilities, transportation infrastructure, and airports and ports used for Ukrainian military operations, as well as temporary deployment points of the Ukrainian armed forces and foreign mercenaries.
The National Guard of Ukraine reported advances in the direction of Kupyansk, controlling two settlements and multiple districts in the northern part of the city and cutting off Russia's supply lines to the strategic hub.
It said the situation in the direction of Kupyansk had been stabilized.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said on Friday that its forces had attacked a Russian oil refinery in the Yaroslavl region, aiming to cut off the Russian military's fuel supply chain.
It also said that on the same day, the Ukrainian forces had launched multiple attacks in the direction of Donetsk, destroying a Russian ammunition depot and hitting a concentration site of Russian personnel.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Friday on X that he had visited the city of Kupyansk in the Kharkiv region in eastern Ukraine.
During the visit, he met with the Ukrainian troops to mark the Land Forces Day and presented state awards to them.
Kupyansk, a key rail and road logistics hub, has seen intense battles since the autumn of 2024. In November this year, the Russian forces claimed that they had captured the city, according to local media reports.
Russia reports seizing settlements as Ukraine claims gains in direction of Kupyansk
