The Shenzhou-21 spaceship is in good shape and ready for launch, with a favorable weather condition, according to staff workers at the launch site.
The crewed spaceship is scheduled to blast off at 23:44 Beijing Time from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, sending astronauts Zhang Lu, Wu Fei and Zhang Hongzhang to China's Tiangong space station.
The propellant loading for the launch vehicle was finished on Thursday afternoon, marking the beginning of the Shenzhou-21 mission's countdown phase.
From the start of propellant loading until tonight's launch, staff will continuously monitor rocket propellant leakage concentrations, propellant tank pressure and temperature, and the verticality of the rocket body.
The spaceship, which has also finished propellant filling before it was transferred to the launch area in combination with the Long March-2F Y21 carrier rocket, is now well connected with all systems, according to Liu Xiaozhen, a designer of the spacecraft.
"After docking with the launch vehicle, the assembly was transferred to the launch pad. Subsequently, we conducted a joint test involving astronauts and all systems to verify interfaces and coordination among the systems. The spaceship is now in optimal condition, fully compatible with all system interfaces, and ready for launch," Liu said.
The launch window for the Shenzhou-21 crewed spacecraft was determined by meteorologists at the center after analyzing thousands of meteorological datasets and repeated consultations.
According to the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center's meteorological office, this year's launch window falls during a lull in cold air activity, with stable weather highly favorable for the mission.
Now, the scientists are closely monitoring relevant real-time weather conditions, including surface winds and temperature, upper-level winds, as well as solar flare and geomagnetic storm events in space, according to Zhang Fang, a meteorologist at the launch center.
"The launch window today features light surface and upper-level winds, with temperatures around 10 degrees Celsius, and favorable space weather conditions, all conducive to the mission's launch tonight," Zhang said.
Shenzhou-21 spaceship ready for launch with favorable weather conditions
The United States' war with Iran has already been "terminated" ahead of a 60-day deadline by law due to the current ceasefire, U.S. media reported on Thursday, citing a senior Trump administration official.
Under the War Powers Resolution, U.S. President Donald Trump had until Friday to seek congressional authorization to continue the conflict or bring it to an end, with the option to extend the deadline by an additional 30 days.
"The hostilities that began on Saturday, Feb. 28 have terminated" between the United States and Iran for purposes of that law, the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, was quoted as saying.
Washington and Tehran have not exchanged fire since a ceasefire began on April 7 and was later extended.
Earlier on Thursday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth argued at a congressional hearing that he believes the ceasefire "pauses or stops" the 60-day clock for congressional authorization of war.
"I do not believe the statute would support that," Democratic Senator Tim Kaine responded, "I think the 60 days runs (out) maybe tomorrow, and that's going to pose a really important legal question for the administration there."
"That deadline is not a suggestion; it is a requirement," said Republican Senator Susan Collins, who voted Thursday for a measure to end U.S. military action in Iran without congressional approval.
The White House notified Congress of the military campaign against Iran on March 2, making Friday the 60-day milestone for the president to start winding down the war unless he gets congressional authorization.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Thursday that any U.S. attempt to impose a naval blockade and maritime restrictions against Iran is "doomed to failure."
Pezeshkian made the remarks in a statement to mark Persian Gulf National Day, which falls on April 30. He said the "enemies" have changed their approach and shifted their pressure to the economic and maritime arenas, using a naval blockade on the Strait of Hormuz and restrictions on maritime trade as a new tool against the Iranian government and people, according to the statement published on his office's website.
The United States imposed its blockade on the Strait of Hormuz after post-ceasefire negotiations with Iran in Pakistan's capital Islamabad on April 11 and 12 failed to lead to an agreement.
The ceasefire between Iran, the United States and Israel took effect on April 8 following 40 days of fighting, which started on Feb. 28 when the United States and Israel launched joint attacks on Tehran and other Iranian cities, killing Iran's then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, senior commanders, and civilians.
Iran responded with waves of missile and drone strikes targeting Israel and U.S. assets in the Middle East, and tightened its grip on the Strait of Hormuz, barring passage to vessels belonging to or affiliated with Israel and the United States.
Trump team says Iran war 'terminated' as ceasefire sparks clash over War Powers deadline
