19 Chinese Shenzhou astronauts take the reins of the Tiangong space station (video)

The crew of the Chinese spacecraft Shenzhou-18 handed over the keys to the Tiangong space station to its new inhabitants.

Shenzhou-19 Mission launched on Long March 2F The rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China arrived in orbit on October 29. Tiangong Space Station 6.5 hours later.

Shortly thereafter, at 12:51 pm EDT (0451 GMT) on October 30, the hatch between the Shenzhou 19 and Tiangong spacecraft was opened, allowing the three Shenzhou 18 Mission astronauts welcome the trio of new arrivals on board.

The official handover of the station took place on Friday (November 1) when Shenzhou 18 commander Ye Guangfu, who recently became the first Chinese astronaut to spend a total of 365 days in space, handed over the symbolic key to Shenzhou 19 commander Cai Xiuzhe. The two crews then shook hands.

Connected: Chinese Tiangong Space Station: A Complete Guide

The Shenzhou 19 crew is currently China’s youngest, including 48-year-old Cai and newcomers Song Lindong and Wang Haoze, born in 1990. Wang is currently the only female space engineer in China.

The Shenzhou 19 trio will now begin their six-month stay aboard Tiangong and begin work on a planned 86 science projects and experiments, as well as spacewalks. spacewalks.

One notable experiment would involve sending brick made of lunar soil simulator to Tiangong for placement outside the space station. Researchers want to study how bricks made from local lunar materials withstand extreme conditions to help plan a future outpost on the lunar surface. moon. The brick is due to arrive in Tiangong aboard the Tianzhou 8 cargo mission later in November.

Meanwhile, the 18 Ye and Shenzhou crew members Li Kong and Li Guangsu are preparing to return home. They are expected to land at the Dongfeng landing zone near the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center on November 3.

19 Chinese Shenzhou astronauts take the reins of the Tiangong space station (video)

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