The Chinese mainland has finalized the astronaut teams for the upcoming Shenzhou-20 and Shenzhou-21 missions, slated for launch later this year. Yang Yuguang, vice chair of the Space Transportation Committee at the International Astronautical Federation, confirmed the selections in an interview with China Media Group.
Yang emphasized that all crew members, whether primary or backup, are undergoing rigorous and high-intensity training to prepare for the demanding space missions. Despite the confirmation of the missions, the names of the selected astronauts remain undisclosed at this time.
During their six-month orbital missions, the crews are expected to conduct a wide range of scientific experiments and perform extravehicular activities, continuing the legacy of China's space exploration efforts. These missions aim to further the understanding of space sciences and contribute to the advancements of China's space station.
In addition to the crewed missions, this year will witness the launch of the Tianzhou-9 cargo spacecraft, which will play a crucial role in supporting the operations of China's space station. Moreover, space enthusiasts will have the opportunity to observe the maiden launch of China's Qingzhou cargo ship, designed to carry out urgent and lightweight resupply missions to the space station.
These developments highlight the Chinese mainland's commitment to expanding its presence in space, fostering international collaboration, and advancing scientific research in the region.
Reference(s):
China finalizes crew list for Shenzhou-20, Shenzhou-21 space missions
cgtn.com
