China’s space program is gearing up for another milestone as the Shenzhou-18 crewed spacecraft prepares for launch in the coming days. On Sunday, the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center conducted a full-system rehearsal, bringing the mission one step closer to lift-off.
The Shenzhou-18 mission marks China’s 13th manned space mission and the 18th flight in the Shenzhou program. The spacecraft is set to carry three taikonauts to the China Space Station for a six-month stay, continuing the country’s ambitious plans for space exploration and research.
The comprehensive rehearsal simulated the entire launch process, with the tower, rocket, spacecraft, and subsystems undergoing rigorous functional checks. This included simulating flight preparation, ignition, and the critical phase of spacecraft separation.
The taikonauts participated actively in the simulation, entering the spacecraft’s re-entry capsule to perform joint inspections and tests of personnel, spacecraft, rocket, and ground systems. They successfully completed all essential operations during the simulated waiting and launch phases, mirroring real mission conditions.
“This rehearsal further verifies the reliability and safety of each system,” an engineer from the Astronaut Center of China stated. “All systems are operating normally ahead of the launch. We will proceed to fill the fuel and oxidizer and enter the pre-launch inspection and launch procedures according to the scheduled launch window,” said Gao Minzhong of the center.
The successful rehearsal underscores China’s growing capabilities in space technology and its commitment to establishing a long-term human presence in space. The Shenzhou-18 mission aims to advance scientific research and technological development, with the taikonauts expected to conduct various experiments and maintenance tasks during their time aboard the space station.
As anticipation builds, the taikonauts are reported to be in good health and high spirits, ready to embark on this significant journey. The mission reflects China’s continued efforts to contribute to international space exploration and foster advancements that benefit humanity.
Reference(s):
China Shenzhou-18 manned mission ready for launch after full rehearsal
cgtn.com
