Shenzhou 19 astronauts embark on a journey to the Chinese space station for new beginnings_英语频道_央视网(cctv.com)

* The new crew faces numerous missions, including conducting space science and applications testing, performing deep space work, installing space debris containment devices, and managing the installation and disposal of extravehicular payloads and equipment.

* Compared to Shenzhou 18, Shenzhou 19’s payload space is increased by 20 percent, allowing it to transport more time-sensitive and essential supplies for astronauts and associated systems.

* China has carried out international cooperation with major space powers and developing countries in various fields, including astronaut selection and training, space science applications, orbital facilities, space debris defense and ground support, with numerous results.

Xinhua writers Zhang Dan, Wang Chenxi and Quan Xiaoshu

JIUQUAN, Oct. 30 (Xinhua) — China launched the Shenzhou 19 manned spacecraft on Wednesday, sending three astronauts, including the country’s first female astronaut, to its orbiting space station for a six-month mission.

The spacecraft, atop a Long March-2F launch vehicle, lifted off at 4:27 a.m. (Beijing time) from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) said.

About 10 minutes after launch, the Shenzhou 19 spacecraft separated from the rocket and entered its intended orbit. The crew members are in good shape and the launch was successful, CMSA said.

The spacecraft will then perform a rapid automated rendezvous and docking with the forward port of the Tianhe space station’s core module in about 6.5 hours, forming a combination of three modules and three spacecraft.

The Shenzhou 19 manned spacecraft on a Long March 2F rocket launches from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwestern China, October 30, 2024. (Photo by Wang Jianbo/Xinhua)

The Shenzhou 19 crew includes mission commander Cai Xiuzhe and astronauts Song Lingdong and Wang Haoze.

Tsai is an experienced astronaut who previously flew in orbit as part of the Shenzhou 14 mission in 2022. With this ongoing mission, he set a new record for the shortest interval between two space flights for Chinese astronauts.

Song and Wang, members of China’s third group of astronauts, are newcomers to space and were both born in the 1990s.

Wang is currently the only female space engineer in China and the third Chinese woman to participate in manned space flight, the agency noted.

VARIOUS SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL TASKS

The new crew faces a variety of tasks, including conducting space science and applications testing, performing deep space work, installing space debris containment devices, and managing the installation and disposal of extravehicular payloads and equipment. They will also participate in science education, social activities and other payload testing, CMSA spokesman Lin Siqiang said at a news conference Tuesday.

They will conduct 86 space scientific research and technology experiments covering various fields, including space life science, fundamental microgravity physics, space materials science, space medicine and new space technologies, Lin added.

In April, CMSA reported that China had carried out more than 130 scientific research and application projects on its space station, and 300 scientific experiment samples had been brought back from space by manned missions in five batches.

In addition, these projects have involved more than 500 research institutions around the world, achieving significant results in the fields of space life science, space medicine, space materials science and microgravity fluid physics, and more than 280 articles have been published in leading international journals, CMSA reports .

The Shenzhou 19 astronauts will complete their orbital rotation with the Shenzhou 18 trio and will remain on the space station for about six months. The Shenzhou 19 crew includes mission commander Cai Xiuzhe and astronauts Song Lingdong and Wang Haoze.

Song and Wang, members of China’s third group of astronauts, are newcomers to space and were both born in the 1990s.

Wang is currently the only female space engineer in China and the third Chinese woman to participate in manned space flight, the agency noted.

VARIOUS SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL TASKS

The new crew faces a variety of tasks, including conducting space science and applications testing, performing deep space work, installing space debris containment devices, and managing the installation and disposal of extravehicular payloads and equipment. They will also engage in science education, social activities and other payload testing, CMSA spokesman Lin Siqiang said at a news conference Tuesday.

The Shenzhou 19 astronauts will complete their orbital rotation with the Shenzhou 18 trio and will remain on the space station for approximately six months.

Chinese astronauts Cai Xuzhe (front), Song Lingdong (center) and Wang Haoze attend a send-off ceremony at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China on October 30, 2024. /Xinhua/Li Xin/

Cai Xiuzhe told the press that he and two other crew members have been training as a team for more than a year.

There are many spacewalks planned during the Shenzhou 19 mission. “We conducted comprehensive ground training, considering all possible scenarios, learning from previous spaceflight activities, and thoroughly preparing for every potential plan and contingency,” Tsai said.

Van Haose explained that she will be primarily responsible for space experimental projects, cargo management and space station operations management.

IMPROVED TRANSPORTATION CAPABILITIES

Researchers at the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) have optimized the hardware and adjusted the layout of the spacecraft’s orbital module to increase its payload capacity for the Shenzhou 19 space mission.

“Compared with Shenzhou 18, the useful space of Shenzhou 19 is increased by 20 percent, allowing it to transport more urgent and necessary materials for astronauts and their related systems,” said Chen Tongxiang, a CASC expert.

This will not only allow more research equipment and materials to be transported into space, but will also provide more efficient and stable orbital support for the long-term operation of the Chinese space station, she said.

A press conference promoting the Shenzhou 19 manned spaceflight is held at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwestern China on October 29, 2024. (Photo by Wang Jianbo/Xinhua)

China is also exploring ways to reduce the cost of transporting cargo for its space station.

In 2023, a notice was issued to request integrated designs for a low-cost freight transport system. After two rounds of selection, schemes from the Microsatellite Innovation Academy of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chengdu Aircraft Design and Research Institute of China Aviation Industry Corporation finally won contracts for the flight verification phase, Lin said.

Through the selection process, research institutes and commercial space companies were recruited to develop spacecraft, rockets and other flight products for China’s manned space program, which will help reduce the operating costs of the space station and promote the rapid, orderly and healthy development of commercial space . industry, he added.

EXCELLENT COOPERATION PLATFORM

China’s space station boasts rich scientific and application resources and comprehensive support capabilities, and the Shenzhou manned system and Tianzhou cargo system can provide reliable and stable round-trip transportation of personnel and cargo between Earth and space.

“China’s space station is an excellent platform for international cooperation,” Lin said, noting that it not only serves as a national treasure, but also as a platform for developing space technology and benefiting all mankind.

This photograph taken on October 22, 2024 shows the combination of the Shenzhou 19 manned spacecraft and the Long March 2F launch vehicle being moved to the launch area. (Photo by Wang Jianbo/Xinhua)

China has carried out international cooperation with major space powers and developing countries in various fields, including astronaut selection and training, space science applications, orbital facilities, space debris defense and ground support, and has produced many results, Lin said.

The first batch of payloads selected through cooperation between China and the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs is currently undergoing experiments in orbit, Lin said, adding that new international joint research initiatives are in the pipeline.

China is also participating in discussions to select and train astronauts from partner countries, inviting international partners to join missions to its space stations, Lin noted.

“No matter which country participates, it is humanity’s collective quest to unravel the mysteries of space,” Lin said.

(Yuan Quan, Liu Xin, Zhou Zhou, Yang Chunxue, Shen Feng, Hu Tao, Li Guoli, Peng Yuan and Wang Xuebing also contributed to this story. Video reporters: Jiang Xuelan, Mei Yuanlong, Chen Zepeng, Yu Jia, Ye Ziyang, Yang Zhigang Video editors: Zhang Nan, Shi Peng.)