China reveals main tasks of Shenzhou-19 manned space mission

China

China reveals main tasks of Shenzhou-19 manned space mission

2024-10-29 09:01 Last Updated At：12:37

The China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) on Tuesday disclosed the main tasks of the Shenzhou-19 manned spaceflight mission.

The Shenzhou-19 crewed spaceship is scheduled to be launched at 04:27 Wednesday (Beijing Time) from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, said Lin Xiqiang, spokesperson for the agency.

Lin also provided the media with an overview of the main tasks of the mission.

"This is the 4th manned mission during the application and development stage of China's space station, and also the 33rd flight mission of China's manned space program. The main objectives of the mission are to complete an in-orbit crew handover with the Shenzhou-18 crew, remain on the space station for about six months to conduct space science and application experiments, perform extravehicular activities and cargo in-and-out tests, install preventive device against space debris for the space station, deploy and retrieve extravehicular payloads and equipment, conduct science popularization education and public welfare activities, and carry out payload experiment of the space station. These efforts aim to further improve the operating efficiency of the space station and continuously leverage its comprehensive application benefits," he said.

Chinese astronauts Cai Xuzhe, Song Lingdong and Wang Haoze will carry out the mission, and Cai will be the commander, according to the agency.

US stocks end lower amid uncertain 2nd round of peace talks with Iran

U.S. stocks ended lower on Tuesday as lingering uncertainty over the second round of peace talks between the United States and Iran stoke investors' concerns over rising tensions in the Middle East.

The process of the expected second round of peace talks between the United States and Iran seems stalled as Iran reportedly decided not to take part, accusing the United States of violating the ceasefire. Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump announced to extend the ceasefire on some conditions.

At the close of Tuesday's trading session, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by 293.18 points, or 0.59 percent, to 49,149.38. The S and P 500 sank 45.13 points, or 0.63 percent, to 7,064.01. The Nasdaq Composite Index shed 144.429 points, or 0.59 percent, to 24,259.964.

Ten of the 11 primary S and P 500 sectors ended in red, with real estate and utilities leading the laggards by going down 1.94 percent and 1.75 percent, respectively. Meanwhile, energy bucked the trend by adding 1.31 percent.

Following Apple's leadership reshuffle announcement, the company's shares fell 2.52 percent on Tuesday, leading the declines among the "Magnificent Seven" technology giants.

Apple said Monday that CEO Tim Cook will become executive chairman of the company's board of directors, while John Ternus, Apple's senior vice president of hardware engineering, will become the company's next CEO effective Sept 1, 2026.