Current location:Worldly Window news portal > politics
2023 in review: A fruitful year for China's manned space program
Worldly Window news portal2024-05-21 15:47:21【politics】7People have gathered around
IntroductionBy Guo Meiping (CGTN) 11:20, December 20, 2023It has been a busy year for China's manned space progr
It has been a busy year for China's manned space program. In 2023, the country welcomed the return of its Shenzhou-15 crew, sent two manned spaceships and one cargo spacecraft to its space station and harvested fruitful scientific research results in the space.
As 2023 draws to a close, let's look back at the memorable moments of China's manned space program during the year.
The launch of the Tianzhou-6 cargo spacecraft
A Long March-7 Y7 rocket carrying the Tianzhou-6 cargo craft blasts off from the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in south China's Hainan Province, May 10, 2023. (Xinhua/Yang Guanyu)
China launched the Tianzhou-6 cargo spacecraft on May 10, which later docked with its space station.
The primary purpose of the Tianzhou-6 was to deliver essential supplies and spacesuits to the Shenzhou-15 crew, which arrived at the space station in November 2022. The cargo craft also transported maintenance components, application facilities and propellant to support the operation of the space station.
Its successor, the Tianzhou-7 cargo craft, is scheduled to be launched in early 2024 to deliver supplies for the astronauts.
The return of the Shenzhou-15 crew
On November 29, 2022, China launched the Shenzhou-15 manned mission, which wrapped up the last stage of the construction of its space station. Since then, the China Space Station (CSS) entered a new phase of application and development, which will span more than 10 years.
A see-off ceremony for three taikonauts of the Shenzhou-15 manned space mission is held at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, Nov. 29, 2022.(Xinhua/Liu Lei)
After an over 180-day stay in the CSS, the re-entry capsule with the Shenzhou-15 crew members Fei Junlong, Deng Qingming and Zhang Lu aboard touched down at the Dongfeng landing site in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region on June 4.
During their stay, the three Chinese astronauts, or taikonauts, accomplished four extravehicular activities, setting a new record for Chinese astronaut crews in spacewalks. They also conducted a series of scientific experiments and tests, including installing an extravehicular extension pump set and a cross-cabin cable installation and connection.
The Shenzhou-15 crew not only achieved a milestone in extravehicular activities but also witnessed the historic moment when the CSS was fully completed in 2022.
The CSS welcomes the Shenzhou-16 crew
The Shenzhou-16 manned spacecraft embarked on its journey to the CSS on May 30. It is the first manned mission since the space station entered its application and development phase.
CGTN infographic
The Shenzhou-16 crew consisted of mission commander Jing Haipeng, spaceflight engineer Zhu Yangzhu and payload expert Gui Haichao. Gui became the first Chinese civilian in space, the first payload specialist to go to the CSS and the first taikonaut wearing glasses.
The crew returned to Earth after a five-month stay at the space station. The three taikonauts completed a series of tasks during their trip, including an extravehicular activity, a science lecture titled "Tiangong Class" and multiple extravehicular installation tasks. Closely cooperating with the ground crew, the Shenzhou-16 crew also carried out a slew of space science tests and experiments concerning human factors engineering, space medicine, life ecology, biotechnology, materials science, fluid physics and astronautical technology.
On their way back, the crew captured the first images of the complete configuration of the CSS with Earth in the backdrop.
A picture of China Space Station captured by the Shenzhou-16 crew. /China Manned Space Agency
The Shenzhou-17 taikonauts join their colleagues in space
The Shenzhou-17 taikonauts arrived at the space station on October 26, just a few days before the return of the Shenzhou-16 crew on October 31.
CGTN infographic
The Shenzhou-17 crew, the country's youngest lineup by average age since the CSS's construction began, comprises commander Tang Hongbo, 48, and operators Tang Shengjie and Jiang Xinlin, aged 34 and 35, respectively.
The Shenzhou-17 crew will undertake a series of tasks, including in-orbit tests of space science and application payloads, extravehicular activities, installation of extravehicular payloads, and space station maintenance.
What to expect for 2024
CGTN infographic
China has scheduled four missions to its space station in 2024, including two cargo spacecraft, the Tianzhou-7 and the Tianzhou-8, and two manned missions, the Shenzhou-18 and the Shenzhou-19, according to the China Manned Space Agency.
Let's look forward to hearing more from China's space station in the coming year!
Address of this article:http://www.camilleandconfettis.com/html-17f899920.html
Very good!(6)
Related articles
- Sweden beats France, Britain relegated after losing to Norway at hockey worlds
- Under mounting pressure, Biden opts to press for ceasefire in Gaza
- Agyemang rallies Charlotte to 3
- Samuel Ersson blanks Devils to keep Flyers' slim playoff hopes alive in 1
- Inquiry slams UK authorities for failures that killed thousands in infected blood scandal
- Kalen DeBoer makes unofficial Alabama coaching debut before big crowd at spring game
- 7 shot dead in 2 locations in U.S. Illinois
- Attacker shot dead after fatally stabbing Israeli soldier
- Ship that caused Baltimore bridge collapse has been refloated
- MacKenzie Gore strikes out 11 as Nationals beat Athletics 3
Popular articles
Recommended
Dodgers acquire pitcher Yohan Ramírez from Mets for cash
Martínez, Lassiter rally Montreal to 2
Agyemang rallies Charlotte to 3
Israel's air
Socialite Jasmine Hartin enjoys beach snuggle with electrician hunk
Thick blanket of fog in Pakistan's capital affects routine life
U.S., Britain launch airstrikes against Houthi camps in Yemen
Sri Lankan navy apprehends 12 Indian fishermen for poaching
Links
- Sarah Jayne Dunn sets pulses racing in animal print bra as she joins chic Georgia May Foote at CO
- Olympic champion Jepchirchir wins women's race at London Marathon
- Hilary Swank reveals it would be a 'great opportunity' for a trans actor to play her Oscar
- 8 shot, 2 men killed at a party in Memphis park
- Hilary Swank reveals it would be a 'great opportunity' for a trans actor to play her Oscar
- Liverpool stays in the hunt for the Premier League title with 3
- Casey Mize throws 6 shutout innings for 1st win since 2021 as Tigers beat Twins 6
- Palace scores 4 goals in opening 31 minutes on way to 5
- Wilyer Abreu drives in a pair of runs as Red Sox complete sweep of reeling Pirates with 6
- Lao coffee growers feel pinch of worker shortage, high inflation — Radio Free Asia