The astronauts for the upcoming Shenzhou-18 mission have gone through extensive preparations and are now mentally focused on the task at hand as they embark on their space journey on Thursday.
The spaceship is scheduled to launch at 20:59 Thursday Beijing Time (12:59 GMT) from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, announced the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) on Wednesday.
The spaceship will carry three astronauts, Ye Guangfu, Li Cong, and Li Guangsu, to carry out the Shenzhou-18 spaceflight mission, and Ye will be the commander, according to the agency.
This will be the second space flight mission for Ye who was a crew member on the Shenzhou-13 mission from October 2021 to April 2022. Li Cong and Li Guangsu, among the third batch of Chinese astronauts, are both newcomers to space.
The crew has made various preparations since arriving at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center a week ago.
"The day after our arrival, we participated in a flag-raising ceremony, and after that, we planted a desert poplar. Then, we visited the martyrs' cemetery. The manned space mission is a very challenging and long endeavor, and many astronauts have even sacrificed their lives for the development of our country. Therefore, it is truly admirable to learn from the pioneers who have revolutionized the space industry, as their unwavering spirit serves as a powerful inspiration for us to advance further," Ye said.
According to Ye, they have conducted training and physical exercises at the launch center to reinforce their knowledge about the tasks and procedures in order to ensure their performance during the mission.
"We've carried out regular training, learning about the documents about the flight mission, and engaging in simulated training for key operations. We’ve also done physical exercises. We would enter the launch pad and reach the spacecraft's cabin through its hatch. We also conducted some rehearsals to get familiar with words of command," Ye said.
"We've gone through the rehearsal of the launch process and carefully reviewed every procedure from the pre-launch phase to the in-orbit phase outlined in the manual. With thorough rehearsals, I'm confident that we will be able to complete the mission successfully," Li Cong said.
The crew will stay in orbit for about six months, and they will witness the arrival of the Tianzhou-8 cargo craft and Shenzhou-19 crewed spaceship during their stay.
As a newcomer to space, Li Guangsu is looking forward to embarking on this extraordinary journey.
"I'm going to carry out the mission in space. I will appreciate the scenery and savor some delicious food. I will also make phone calls to my family, and tell my father that his son has grown up and is making achievements," Li Guangsu said.
Shenzhou-18 is the 32nd flight mission of China's manned space program and the third manned mission during the application and development stage of China's space station.
The crew is scheduled to return to the Dongfeng landing site in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region in late October this year.
Shenzhou-18 astronauts well prepared for upcoming space mission
Chinese President Xi Jinping once said every year around May 4, he would reserve time for young people. Over the years, he has managed to find time to connect with young people despite his busy work schedule.
On May 4 each year, China celebrates its Youth Day in tribute to the patriotic legacy of the May Fourth Movement that took place in 1919.
Xi has always encouraged the current young generation to chase their dreams through hard work and set a fine example for them.
Since 1969, Xi, not even 16 at that time, was sent from Beijing to Liangjiahe, a small village in Yanchuan County in northwest China's Shaanxi Province on the Loess Plateau, to engage in arduous farm labor. He spent seven years there and did all the farm work.
Xi, then Party secretary of Liangjiahe Village, led villagers to build the first methane-generating pit in Shaanxi, which caused a sensation across the whole county, according to a news report titled "The Story of Igniting Fire" by "Yan'an Tongxun" on Sept 20, 1975.
"My family has a revolutionary tradition. [They always said] children should not be raised in the greenhouse, but should experience strong winds and heavy waves," Xi said when talking about his family tradition.
Looking back at his youth, Xi once said "My primary requirement for myself is to 'put myself into hardship'."
Addressing a gathering marking the centenary of the May Fourth Movement in Beijing on April 30, 2019, Xi said "Youth is one's prime time to develop skills and grow abilities. If one makes his/her youth slip by without achieving anything, and only lament in old age, what's the point?"
The Chinese president deeply understands the aspirations of young people. He often gets close to them, offering encouragement through his own experiences.
In July 1984, Xi, then Party chief of Zhengding County of north China's Hebei Province, chatted with students from Beijing-based Renmin University of China who were on a field research activity in the county.
Xi shared his experience and encouraged them to gain first-hand experience by working at the grassroots level after graduation.
On May 3, 2023, Xi wrote a reply letter to students from China Agricultural University, encouraging the students to make greater contributions to rural revitalization.
"You said only by walking deep into rural China could one understand what it means to seek truth from facts, and maintain close ties with the people. The young people should actively seek hardship. You're absolutely right," Xi said, hailing that "This is the spirit that Chinese youth in the new era should have."
Also at the gathering marking the centenary of the May Fourth Movement, Xi said "It is a relay race to realize the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. We are determined to run for a good score for our young people. We also look forward to a better score achieved by the younger generation."
In his visit to Peking University in May 2014, Xi told the students to "button right" in the early days of their life.
"The value orientation of youth will decide the values of the whole society. It is very important to foster proper values in that age. It is like buttoning up one's jacket. The buttons of life should be fastened well from the very beginning," he said.
In military barracks, the Chinese president encouraged young officers and soldiers to seize the opportunity and strive forward.
During his visit to the Wukesong Sports Center in Beijing in February 2017, Xi urged young athletes to train hard for the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games.
"China should become a powerful country in every aspect. China will be strong if our young generation is strong, and China will be strong if our sports competitiveness is strong. The hope is on all of you," Xi said.
In his visit to RICOM, an optical lens company in the eastern Chinese city of Fuzhou in March 2021, Xi encouraged young scientific and technical workers to make contributions to the country.
"We call for innovation regardless of personal background. What's most important is to make contribution to the country," Xi said.
He also urged young officials to stay true to their mission and support the aspirations of young people in rural revitalization efforts.
"We should appreciate and applaud the innovation and creativity of young people. We should support them, help them shine brilliantly in their life, and cheer for the achievements and successes they've accomplished," Xi said at the gathering marking the centenary of the May Fourth Movement in 2019.
Xi's close connection with young people
