China launches 14th crewed mission to space, begins new spatial research phase
China has launched its 14th crewed space mission, Shenzhou XIX, with a team of three astronauts who will carry out a number of scientific experiments during the next six months.
The Shenzhou-19 spacecraft took off on October 30, 2024, at 04:27 local time, according to a report published by China Daily the same day.
The spacecraft launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center located in the Gobi Desert in northwestern China, headed to the Tiangong space station, which is about 400 kilometers above Earth. The journey was expected to take around six and a half hours.
The three crew members onboard the rocket were Mission Commander Senior Colonel Cai Xuzhe, Lieutenant Colonel Song Lingdong, and Lieutenant Colonel Wang Haoze. The flight marks the first journey in space for Song Lingdong and Wang Haoze.
According to Xinhua News Agency and CCTV News reports, published on October 30, 2024, state that the Shenzhou-19 spacecraft has successfully docked with the Tianhe core module of the space station. CCTV News confirmed that at 11:03 local time, the flight control center announced the successful automatic rendezvous and docking of the spacecraft. Astronauts have reached the space station following the successful docking of the Shenzhou-19 spacecraft, according to the most recent updates from SpaceNews.
As foreseen in the mission plan, the three astronauts performed an automatic docking to the Tianhe core module of the space station. There, the Shenzhou XIX team met the Shenzhou XVIII crew, who arrived on April 26, 2024, and have been in space for six months.
The two groups will work together for around four days while the previous team hands over their duties to the newcomers. The Shenzhou XIX team will be the eighth group to live on the space station. The Shenzhou XVIII crew will return to Earth on November 4, 2024.
During their time at the space station, the astronauts will conduct numerous scientific experiments in areas like microgravity physics, space materials, life sciences, aerospace medicine, and technology. They will also perform tasks such as installing debris protection devices and handling equipment outside the station. The team is scheduled to return to Earth in late April or May 2025.
Lin Xiqiang, Deputy Director of the China Manned Space Agency, stated at a press conference on October 29, 2024, that Chinese scientists and engineers are currently researching and developing the Long March 10 heavy-lift rocket, the Mengzhou crew spaceship, the Lanyue lunar lander, and other equipment needed for a manned moon mission. The post China launches 14th crewed mission to space, begins new spatial research phase appeared first on AeroTime.
China has launched its 14th crewed space mission, Shenzhou XIX, with a team of three astronauts who will…
The post China launches 14th crewed mission to space, begins new spatial research phase appeared first on AeroTime.
