Beijing (TDI): China launched its Shenzhou-19 manned spaceflight mission early Wednesday, sending three taikonauts aboard the Long March-2F Y19 rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center to the China Space Station.
The Shenzhou-19 spacecraft successfully separated from the rocket about 10 minutes after lift-off and entered its designated orbit, marking another successful mission for China’s manned space programme.
The new crew, led by veteran taikonaut Cai Xuzhe and joined by first-time astronauts Song Lingdong and Wang Haoze, is expected to dock with the China Space Station approximately 6.5 hours after take-off, the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) confirmed.
Cai’s return to space sets a record for the shortest interval between missions in China’s space history, with his last mission being the Shenzhou-14 in 2022.
Notably, Wang Haoze is China’s first female spaceflight engineer, part of China’s third generation of astronauts.
Mission Details
This mission is the fourth crewed mission in the space station’s operational phase and the 33rd under China’s manned space programme.
During their six-month stay, the Shenzhou-19 crew will undertake an in-orbit rotation with the Shenzhou-18 crew, conduct scientific and technical experiments, perform extravehicular activities, manage cargo, and install debris protection systems on the space station.
The Shenzhou-18 crew is scheduled to return to Earth on November 4.
CMSA spokesperson Lin Xiqiang stated that the Shenzhou-19 mission will contribute to the space station’s operational efficiency through public outreach, educational activities, and technical payload experiments.
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The mission also includes autonomous docking of Shenzhou-19 with the station’s Tianhe core module, forming a three-module structure for the crew’s residency.
They will receive visits from the Tianzhou-8 cargo spacecraft and Shenzhou-20 crewed spacecraft, with a return planned for April or May.
To support these tasks, the China Academy of Spacecraft Technology enhanced the spacecraft’s orbital module, increasing payload capacity by 20 percent for additional supplies, while the Long March-2F Y19 rocket completed a newly streamlined 30-day preparation process to optimize mission readiness, according to Global Times.
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The advancements highlight China’s ongoing efforts to enhance the long-term functionality and self-sustainability of its space station, contributing to the wider goals of its ambitious space programme.
