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The combination of the Shenzhou-19 crewed spaceship and a Long March-2F carrier rocket is transferred to the launch site at Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center on October 22, 2024 in Alxa League, Inner Mongolia of China. (Image credit: VCG/VCG via Getty Images)

China’s Shenzhou-19 Mission: Final Preparations Underway for Journey to Tiangong

China’s next space station mission, Shenzhou-19, is on the brink of launch, marking a pivotal moment in the country’s space exploration. Topped with the Shenzhou-19 spacecraft, the Long March 2F rocket has been positioned on the launch pad at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, readying for the journey to the Tiangong space station.

Long March 2F Ready for Launch

The 203-foot (62 meters) Long March 2F rocket was transferred 0.93 miles (1.5 kilometers) to the launch pad on October 22, transported by rail from the vertical integration building. As per China’s human spaceflight agency (CMSA), the rocket will undergo pre-launch inspections and joint tests before it is set for takeoff, anticipated before the end of the month. While China usually reveals the launch date only a day or two prior, the identities of the three Shenzhou-19 astronauts will be disclosed at a press conference shortly before launch.

The Mission at Tiangong

Once launched, the Shenzhou-19 crew will embark on a six-month mission at Tiangong, joining the current Shenzhou-18 crew, which includes commander Ye Guangfu and crewmembers Li Cong and Li Guangsu. After spending six months in space, the Shenzhou-18 crew will transfer control of the station to the Shenzhou-19 team before returning to Earth.

Tiangong, China’s first long-term space station, has been a hub for scientific research and international collaboration. It is planned to operate for at least a decade, supporting a wide range of experiments in microgravity and physics and serving as a base for future Chinese and potentially international missions.

The combination of the Shenzhou-19 crewed spaceship and a Long March-2F carrier rocket is transferred to the launch site at Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center on October 22, 2024 in Alxa League, Inner Mongolia of China. (Image credit: VCG/VCG via Getty Images)
The combination of the Shenzhou-19 crewed spaceship and a Long March-2F carrier rocket is transferred to the launch site at Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center on October 22, 2024 in Alxa League, Inner Mongolia of China. (Image credit: VCG/VCG via Getty Images)

Current Scientific Endeavors on Tiangong

The Shenzhou-18 crew has been actively maintaining and conducting scientific research aboard Tiangong:

  1. Combustion Science Laboratory Maintenance: The team has carried out critical upkeep of the combustion science laboratory, replacing burners, cleaning equipment, and organizing materials.
  2. Fluid Physics Laboratory Experiments: In the fluid physics lab, they’ve replaced experimental samples and conducted microgravity experiments to better understand fluid behavior in space.

These activities contribute to scientific understanding that can have applications on Earth, including advancements in materials science and fluid dynamics.

Importance of the Shenzhou-19 Mission

  1. Long-Term Space Presence: Extends China’s ongoing human spaceflight program and strengthens its ability to maintain a continuous human presence in space.
  2. Crew Handover: Demonstrates the operational capability of a seamless crew transition, ensuring that Tiangong remains fully operational without interruption.
  3. Scientific Research Expansion: Builds on ongoing scientific work and allows for further exploration of microgravity effects on materials, fluids, and biological systems.

The Path Forward for Tiangong

As Shenzhou-19 prepares to launch, China reaffirms its commitment to operating Tiangong for at least a decade. With a continuous crew rotation plan, China aims to keep advancing its space capabilities, enabling valuable scientific research and technology development.

In sum, the Shenzhou-19 mission showcases China’s rapid strides in space exploration, both in terms of scientific research and its capacity for sustained human presence in orbit. The anticipated launch not only extends Tiangong’s mission but also strengthens China’s place in the global space community.

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