Crew members for the Shenzhou-19 manned spaceflight mission are fully prepared and confident in fulfilling the tasks, said mission commander Cai Xuzhe at a press conference on Tuesday.
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, according to the China Manned Space Agency.
According to the agency, Cai, along with astronauts Song Lingdong and Wang Haoze, will carry out the mission.
Cai, 48, is a Senior Colonel and was selected to join the second batch of Chinese astronauts in 2010.
Cai's first journey into space was as a crew member of the Shenzhou-14 mission in 2022. He was honored with the title "Heroic Astronaut" for his service and accomplishments in that mission.
"After a new round of comprehensive and systematic training, we are now fully prepared in terms of our mental readiness, technical skills, physical fitness and psychological state. We are confident, determined, and fully capable of completing this mission," said Cai.
According to Cai, the Shenzhou-19 crew has undergone comprehensive training to prepare for the extravehicular activities planned for this mission.
"The Shenzhou-19 mission will include multiple extravehicular activities. We have conducted extensive training on the ground, making every effort to anticipate all possible scenarios. We have thoroughly analyzed the valuable experience of previous extravehicular missions, so as to ensure that all the plans are well-prepared and effectively practiced," he said.
Cai expressed confidence that the Shenzhou-19 crew will work together to accomplish the mission, despite the age differences among them.
Song and Wang, among the third batch of Chinese astronauts, are newcomers to space. Both of them were born in the 1990s.
"My two new teammates were both born in the 1990s. Although there is an age difference between us, we share the same goal: to serve our country and win honor for it while working and striving together," Cai said.
The Shenzhou-19 astronauts will complete in-orbit rotation with the Shenzhou-18 trio and stay at the space station for approximately six months, witnessing the arrival of the Tianzhou-8 cargo craft and Shenzhou-20 crewed spaceship during the mission.
China's Shenzhou-19 crew fully prepared, confident in fulfilling tasks: commander
China's Shenzhou-19 crew fully prepared, confident in fulfilling tasks: commander
