The China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) disclosed the main tasks of the upcoming Shenzhou-23 manned spaceflight mission at a press briefing on Saturday.
The Shenzhou-23 crewed spaceship is scheduled to be launched at 11:08 p.m. Sunday (Beijing Time) from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, said Zhang Jingbo, spokesman of the agency.
According to Zhang, the Shenzhou-23 mission marks the seventh crewed spaceflight during the application and development phase of China's space station, and the 40th flight of China's manned spaceflight program.
Zhang also briefed the media on the main tasks of the mission.
"The main objectives of the mission are to complete an in-orbit rotation with the Shenzhou-21 crew, continue space science and application work, perform extravehicular activities and cargo transfer tasks, install and retrieve external payloads and equipment, conduct science education and public welfare activities, and carry out space payload tests so as to make the most of the space station. In addition, one crew member will carry out a one-year in-orbit stay experiment," said Zhang.
According to the spokesman, after entering orbit, the Shenzhou-23 spacecraft will make a fast and autonomous rendezvous to dock with the radial port of the space station's core module Tianhe.
"At present, the quality of the spacecraft and rocket flight products is under control, the astronaut crew is in good condition, ground system facilities and equipment are operating stably, the space station combination is in normal condition, and all conditions are met for the launch mission. The Shenzhou-21 crew will return to the Dongfeng landing site after completing the in-orbit handover with the Shenzhou-23 crew," said Zhang.
Chinese astronauts Zhu Yangzhu, Zhang Zhiyuan and Lai Ka-ying will carry out the Shenzhou-23 crewed spaceflight mission, and Zhu will be the commander, said the CMSA.
China reveals main tasks of Shenzhou-23 manned space mission
China reveals main tasks of Shenzhou-23 manned space mission
