A joint drill for China's upcoming Shenzhou-21 crewed mission was held at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China on Monday, making final-stage preparations for the country's new manned space launch program.
The full-element rehearsal involved all members of the test-and-launch team at the launch center, stipulating the entire process, from pre-launch checks and preparations, ignition and liftoff to spacecraft-rocket separation.
The combination of the Shenzhou-21 spaceship and a Long March-2F Y21 carrier rocket was transferred to the launch area at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center on Friday.
Through multiple pre-launch function checks and tests, engineers confirmed that the combination has been ready for launch.
"The Shenzhou-21 crew has completed all missions in the full-element drill as required. During the drill, the astronauts were in good conditions, followed the procedures correctly, and carried out accurate and sufficient operations. They coordinated with one another tacitly. After this drill, they will engage in pre-mission preparations as planned, undergo medical supervision and care and skill trainings, and complete other tasks," said Li Haitao, a staff member at the Astronauts Center of China (ACC). As the launch of Shenzhou-21 spacecraft approaches, the Shenzhou-20 crew, who has been in orbit for more than 180 days, are making preparations for the upcoming space station handover with the Shenzhou-21 crew and for their return to the Earth. Meanwhile, the ground team has also carried out drills at the landing site.
The Shenzhou-21 crewed spaceship will be launched at an appropriate time in the near future, according to the China Manned Space Agency.
China completes joint drill for Shenzhou-21 mission
The organizing committee of the Milano-Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games has unveiled the titles, creative visions, and first talents of the opening and closing ceremonies, as Thursday marked 50 days before the event officially gets underway.
Scheduled from March 6 to 15 across multiple Italian cities, the Games will bring together 665 athletes from 50 countries and regions to compete for 79 gold medals across six sporting disciplines.
The opening ceremony, titled "Life in Motion," will be staged at the historic Arena di Verona, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, presenting a tribute to change and transformation that seeks to redefine disability through a new harmony between people and the environment.
"I paid close attention to the opening ceremony of the Beijing Winter Olympics, which I consider one of the three or four most beautiful in the history of Olympic ceremonies. This time at the ancient Arena di Verona, we will place greater emphasis on showcasing the human element," the ceremonies' artistic director Alfredo Accatino told a Chinese reporter at the event.
The closing ceremony, themed "Italian Souvenir," will be held on March 15 at the Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium, guiding athletes, volunteers, and fans through a journey that captures the emotions and memories of the Games after days of competition and achievement.
Craig Spence, the International Paralympic Committee's Chief Brand and Communications Officer, believes that Italy will deliver "the best Paralympic Games" following the benchmark set by the Beijing Winter Paralympics in 2022.
"I think what China did in Beijing has really set the benchmark for all future teams competing in the Paralympic Winter Games in terms of performance. That's why I think Milano-Cortina will be the best Paralympic Games we've ever seen for sports," he said.
Milano-Cortina Paralympics reveal opening, closing themes as Games draw near
