China successfully launched its Shenzhou-19 spaceship, sending three astronauts, including the nation’s first female space engineer, on a six-month mission to enhance its low-orbit space station. The spacecraft was launched early by a Long March-2F carrier rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in northwest China. Approximately 10 minutes after liftoff, the Shenzhou-19 successfully detached from the rocket and reached its intended orbit.The crew members are in good shape and the launch is a complete success, the CMSA announced.
The spaceship will perform a fast, automated rendezvous and docking with the front port of the space station core module Tianhe in about 6.5 hours, forming a combination of three modules and three spacecraft.
China built its space station after it was reportedly excluded from the International Space Station (ISS) over concerns that China’s space programme is manned by its military, the People’s Liberation Army, (PLA).
It is currently the only country to have a space station.
The ISS is a collaborative project of several countries. Observers say China’s space station may become the only one of its kind in orbit once the ISS retires in the coming years.
The two robotic arms of the station, especially the long one which has the ability to grab objects including satellites from space, drew international concerns.
Early this month China announced its plans for the further development of space programmes which included launching a manned lunar mission, construction of a lunar space station, exploration of habitable planets and extra-terrestrial life to expand its space programme in the next few decades.
Besides building its space station, China has launched a number of space missions including a lunar probe that collected samples for the first time from the far side of the moon and brought them back to earth for scientific studies.The Shenzhou-19 crew consists of mission commander Cai Xuzhe, and astronauts Song Lingdong and Wang Haoze.
Wang is currently China's only female space engineer and the third Chinese woman participating in a crewed spaceflight mission, the CMSA said.
The tasks for new crew included conducting space science and application tests, performing extravehicular activities, installing protective devices against space debris, and managing the installation and recycling of extravehicular payloads and equipment.
Lin Xiqiang, CMSA spokesperson told a press conference on Tuesday that the crew will carry out 86 space science research and technology experiments, covering various fields including space life science, microgravity fundamental physics, space material science, space medicine and new space technologies.
The Shenzhou-19 astronauts will complete in-orbit rotation with the trio currently manning and stay at the space station for approximately six months.
Wang Haoze explained that she will be mainly responsible for space experimental projects, cargo management, and space station operation management.
China is actively engaging in talks to select and train astronauts from partner countries, inviting international collaborators to participate in its space station missions, according to Lin. Given the strong ties, a Pakistani astronaut is anticipated to join upcoming missions to the space station. "Regardless of which country takes part, it is a collective human endeavor to explore the mysteries of the universe", Lin stated.
