China’s upcoming Shenzhou-19 crewed mission took a significant step forward as a full-system drill was conducted on Saturday at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China. The exercise aimed to verify the reliability and safety of all systems involved in the launch, which will send a new crew of three Chinese astronauts, known as taikonauts, to the country’s orbiting space station.
Under unified coordination at the launch center, essential components such as the launch tower, rocket, spaceship, and other subsystems underwent comprehensive functional checks. The drill simulated the entire launch process, covering flight preparation, ignition, liftoff, and the critical rocket-spaceship separation phase.
The three taikonauts slated for the Shenzhou-19 mission actively participated in the drill, meticulously simulating each step of the flight mission. After boarding the spaceship’s return capsule, they conducted joint inspections and tests involving the crew, spacecraft, rocket, and ground systems. This rigorous simulation allowed them to complete all key operations for both the standby and liftoff phases during the simulated launch.
According to Xing Lei from the China Astronaut Research and Training Center, the crew members demonstrated excellent performance throughout the exercise. “Their commands were precise and their operations highly skilled, showcasing strong teamwork among the taikonauts and smooth coordination with ground staff,” Xing remarked.
“Following this, the taikonauts entered the final stage of pre-mission preparation, which will focus on medical monitoring and continued skills training,” Xing told the China Media Group.
The successful completion of the full-system drill marks a critical milestone in the preparations for the Shenzhou-19 mission, reinforcing China’s advancements in crewed space exploration and its commitment to the ongoing development of its space station program.
Reference(s):
China's Shenzhou-19 crewed mission: Full-system drill conducted
cgtn.com
