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China Unveils Crew for Shenzhou 18 Mission to Tiangong Space Station
China has recently introduced its newest three-person crew set to embark on a groundbreaking six-month-long expedition to low Earth orbit. The mission, known as Shenzhou 18, is poised to launch on a Long March 2F rocket from the Jiuquan spaceport in northwest China on Thursday (April 25) and will journey to China’s state-of-the-art Tiangong space station. The crew for this highly anticipated mission was officially announced at a press conference held at Jiuquan on Wednesday (April 24), coinciding with China’s national space day, by the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA).
Leading the Shenzhou 18 mission will be Ye Guangfu, a seasoned astronaut at the age of 43 who previously participated in the Shenzhou 13 mission back in 2021-2022. Joining him are two accomplished fighter pilots, Li Cong and Li Guangsu, who were born in October 1989 and July 1987 respectively, both making their inaugural journeys to space.
Liftoff and Arrival
The launch is scheduled for 8:59 a.m. EDT on April 25 (1259 GMT, or 8:59 p.m. Beijing time). The live stream of the launch can be viewed on Space.com. The three astronauts are projected to arrive at Tiangong approximately seven hours following liftoff. Upon arrival, they will rendezvous with the existing Shenzhou 17 crew who will ceremonially transfer control of the space station to the newcomers. Subsequently, the Shenzhou 17 crew will prepare for their return journey to Earth after spending six months in orbit.
Missions and Tasks
The incoming Shenzhou 18 crew have a plethora of tasks awaiting them, including extravehicular activities (EVAs) or spacewalks. According to Lin Xiqiang, deputy director of the CMSA, the astronauts will conduct six cargo outbound deliveries through the station’s cargo airlock module and partake in two to three extravehicular activities. These spacewalks will involve installing space debris protection reinforcements for extravehicular piping, cables, and critical equipment. Additionally, they will carry out extravehicular inspections to bolster the safety of the space station.
Shenzhou 18 marks the seventh crew to visit Tiangong since its inception in 2021. China is committed to maintaining a continuous presence at the station, ensuring its operation for a minimum of a decade. Furthermore, China is actively exploring plans to expand the orbital outpost with additional modules, solidifying its position as a prominent player in space exploration.
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