China will send a new crew to the Tiangong space station, this is the latest mission in the program to send astronauts to the Moon by 2030, AFP quoted a statement from the Chinese space agency during the meeting. reported on April 24.
The three-member crew of the Shenzhou-18 spacecraft will replace the current Shenzhou-17 team controlling the Tiangong space station from October 2023.
Astronauts preparing for the Shenzhou-18 mission attend a press conference at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, April 24. Photo: AFP
Shenzhou-18 is expected to take off at 8:59 p.m. (12:59 GMT) today [25/4] from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Northwest China.
During the press conference, the Chinese Space Agency introduced commander Ye Guanfu, 43, a veteran astronaut who participated in the Shenzhou-13 mission in 2021. Commander Ye will accompany the two astronauts. Astronauts Li Cong, 34, and Li Guansu, 36, who will fly into space for the first time.
Commander Ye described the launch as a “new beginning”. “Faced with the challenge, my two teammates and I are fully prepared. We are full of confidence that we can complete this mission,” Commander Ye emphasized.
Astronaut Li Guansu said: “I want to look closely at the beautiful blue planet, the splendid mountains and rivers of my homeland, and find the places that have nurtured me along the way. I also want to see it with my own eyes.” witness your lovely child to see if the stars in the sky really sparkle or not.”
The Shenzhou-18 crew will live on the Tiangong space station for six months, performing experiments in gravity and physics, as well as in life sciences.
According to Xinhua News Agency, Deputy Director General of the Chinese Space Agency Lin Xiqiang said they will also carry out a “high-resolution global greenhouse gas detection project”.
“All preparations are on schedule. They will work with other astronauts to carry out follow-up missions on the space station and realize landing on the Moon,” said Mr. Lin.
Thien Cung, meaning “heavenly palace”, is China’s self-built space station. Beijing conducted its first space mission in 2003, becoming the third country after the (former) Soviet Union and the United States to send people into space using its own resources.
To be completed in 2022, the Thien Cung space station is manned by rotating teams of up to three astronauts at an orbital altitude of up to 450km. According to the China Academy of Space Technology, the Thien Cung’s operating time can last more than 15 years.
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