China sent three astronauts to the Tiangong space station as part of the Shenzhou-19 mission

The crew of the Chinese spacecraft Shenzhou 18 is ready to return home after more than six months in space.

Astronauts Ye Guangfu, Li Kong and Li Guangsu lived on board the spacecraft. Tiangong Space Station from April 25 this year, but are going to return to Earth on Sunday (November 3) after the mission ends.

The Trinity greeted the arrival Shenzhou 19 crew aboard Tiangong on Oct. 30, meaning six astronauts will be in China for a short period of time. space. On November 1, Commander Ye officially handed over control of the orbital outpost to Shenzhou 19 commander Cai Xiuzhe. The official ceremony marked the fifth such orbital transfer in China since the completion of the three-module space station in late 2022.

Ye, Li and Li are expected to return to Earth aboard their Shenzhou 18 spacecraft and land at the Dongfeng landing zone near Jiuquan. spaceport around 12:00 pm EST on November 3 (5:00 pm GMT; or 1:00 am Beijing time on November 4), according to airspace closure notices.

Connected: China sent three astronauts to the Tiangong space station as part of the Shenzhou-19 mission (video)

This will be the second time astronauts have landed in Dongfeng at night. Observation and search and rescue teams are conducting final checks, adjustments and exercises before Shenzhou 18’s return. Teams will use infrared thermal cameras to track them.

Commander Ye and his team conducted a number of scientific experiments during their journey. time on board the Tiangong, including study of ancient microbes. They complied national spacewalk record outside the space station in May, and went on another flight in June to install protective shielding against space debris. Ye also recently became the first Chinese astronaut to spend a total of 365 days in space, having previously been part of the Shenzhou 13 mission in 2021-2022.

The trio also held emergency drills And filmed video The Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the Gobi Desert, from which they launched in April, and the Wenchang Satellite Launch Center on Hainan Island, from which the Tiangong modules were launched.

China intends to retain Tiangong, which is about 20% smaller in size than China. International Space Stationpermanently occupied and active for at least ten years. Officials have recently unveiled expansion plans The space station was given a double T-shape, adding three new modules. He will also send Hubble-class space telescope into the same orbit, which will allow it to dock with Tiangong for maintenance and repairs.

China sent three astronauts to the Tiangong space station as part of the Shenzhou-19 mission

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