Shenzhou-19 embarks on ambitious 6‑month space mission
The Shenzhou-19 spacecraft, known as the "Divine Ship," launched from the Jiuquan Launch Center in the Gobi Desert. This Chinese spacecraft's mission is to reach the Tiangong space station, which translates to "Heavenly Palace."
2:59 PM EDT, October 30, 2024
The Shenzhou-19, part of China's space mission, launched from the Jiuquan Launch Center with three astronauts on board. Their stay at the Tiangong orbital station is set to last six months.
On Tuesday at 3:27 PM Eastern Time (Wednesday, 4:27 AM local time), the Long March 2F rocket took off from the Gobi Desert in northwestern China. The flight's goal is to carry the Shenzhou-19 spacecraft with its three-person crew. The Polish Press Agency, citing Reuters, provided this information.
The Chinese head to the Heavenly Palace
The mission commander is 48-year-old Cai Xuzhe, a veteran of the Shenzhou-14 flight in 2022. Newcomers, including Air Force pilot Song Lingdong, join him. Another team member, Wang Haoze, is part of this journey; both Song and Wang were born in the 90s. The 34-year-old Wang is the third Chinese woman in space and the first female spaceflight engineer.
During their six-month stay at the Tiangong station, the crew will conduct 86 scientific experiments in space life sciences, microgravity physics, materials technology, medicine, and new technologies. Lin Xiqiang, deputy director of the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA), announced the mission's objectives during a press conference on Tuesday.
Instruments necessary for the remote operation of spacecraft and support for spacewalks will be delivered to the station with the astronauts. The Chinese also plan to install new equipment to protect the Tiangong station from space debris.
Tiangong space station
The Chinese Tiangong space station, also known as the "Heavenly Palace," is one of the significant achievements of the China National Space Administration (CNSA). It has surprised the world with its advanced technological level and marks China's growing influence in space.
Unlike the ISS, which results from international cooperation, Tiangong is the only facility managed by a single country. The core module, Tianhe, was launched into low Earth orbit in 2021, and subsequent units, Wentian and Mengtian, joined it in 2022. The station measures 149 feet in length and weighs about 132,000 pounds.
