Current location:health >>
2023 in review: A fruitful year for China's manned space program
health827People 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!
Tags:
Reprint:Friends are welcome to share on the Internet, but please indicate the source of the article when reprinting it.“Earth Enigma news portal”。http://bosniaandherzegovina.spaceforanything.com/html-40d199864.html
Related articles
Kate Hudson hits the stage to debut songs from her new album Glorious at star
healthKate Hudson looked like a pro as she performed songs from her new album Glorious for the first time. ...
【health】
Read moreKaley Cuoco sells her stunning nine
healthKaley Cuoco recently sold her Los Angeles mansion for nearly $5.5 million.The 38-year-old actress ha ...
【health】
Read moreA Chinese driver is praised for helping reduce casualties in a highway collapse that killed 48
healthBEIJING (AP) — A Chinese truck driver was praised in local media Saturday for parking his vehicle ac ...
【health】
Read more
Popular articles
- Not so Cool Britannia! Noel Gallagher gives damning verdict on Keir Starmer
- Home favorite Jannik Sinner withdraws from the Italian Open because of hip injury
- King Charles takes on more than 200 new patronages from late Queen
- Bayern left back Guerreiro sustains injury before Real Madrid in Champions League semifinal
- Why US Catholics are planning pilgrimages in communities across the nation
- Paige VanZant claims Dillon Danis asked her to 'peg him' as her husband challenges him to fight
Latest articles
Independent UN experts urge Yemen’s Houthis to free detained Baha'i followers
Sadie Sink flashes her bra in a sleek black co
Kansas has a new border security mission and tougher penalties for killing police dogs
I celebrate World Naked Gardening Day every day
Messi in and Dybala out in Argentina squad for pre
Nicki Minaj surprises Barbz as she brings out Cyndi Lauper to perform Pink Friday Girls in Brooklyn
LINKS
- China to Bolster Support for Childbirth, Parenting
- Camping, Sports Activities Thrive at Beijing Expo Park
- China Takes Solid Steps to Foster Stronger Sense of Community for Chinese Nation
- Hezhe People Enjoy Colorful Life in Heilongjiang, NE China
- World Robot Conference 2022 Held in Beijing
- China Scales up Support for Elderly Care, Childcare Industries
- Government Striving to Improve Nursery Services to Boost Birth Rate
- China Steps up Efforts to Increase People's Scientific Knowledge
- 40th Anniversary of China National Children's Center Celebrated in Beijing
- Qixi Festival Marked in Xi'an, NW China