Early in the morning on October 30, China successfully launched the Shenzhou-19 spacecraft carrying three astronauts to the Tiangong Space Station. This mission is expected to conduct 86 scientific research experiments and technological applications in space.
The Shenzhou-19 spacecraft was launched successfully from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northern China at 4:27 AM Beijing time, heading towards the Tiangong Space Station.
Approximately 10 minutes after liftoff, Shenzhou-19 separated from the rocket and entered the designated orbit, beginning its journey to the Tiangong Station. According to an announcement from the commander of the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, all three astronauts aboard are in good health and the launch was successful.
The spacecraft will then perform a rapid automated rendezvous and docking with the Tiangong Space Station within about 6.5 hours, forming a combination of three modules and three spacecraft.
Three astronauts aboard the spacecraft, Cai Xuzhe (Thái Húc Triết), Song Lingdong (Tống Lệnh Đông), and Wang Haoze (Vương Hạo Trạch). (Photo: CGTN).
The three astronauts aboard, Cai Xuzhe (Thái Húc Triết), Song Lingdong (Tống Lệnh Đông), and Wang Haoze (Vương Hạo Trạch), will complete an orbital rotation with the Shenzhou-18 module and stay at the Tiangong Space Station for six months. Currently, Wang Haoze is China’s only female astronaut and the third Chinese woman to participate in a crewed space mission.
During the mission, they will witness the arrival of the Tiangong-8 cargo spacecraft and the Shenzhou-20 crewed spacecraft.
In this mission, the Shenzhou-19 astronaut team will carry out 86 scientific research and space application activities, perform extravehicular activities, install protective devices against space debris, as well as install and recycle external equipment and payloads. They will also engage in science education, public welfare activities, and various payload experiments.
Shenzhou-19 is expected to return to the Dongfeng landing site in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region of northern China in late April or early May 2025.
