China successfully launched a manned spacecraft to its under construction orbital station, astronauts are already on board
China has successfully launched the Shenzhou 12 manned spacecraft to an orbital station under construction with three astronauts on board. The event was broadcast live by Chinese national television. The entire event took place at the Jiuquan Cosmodrome.
The launch vehicle with the spacecraft took place on June 17, 2021 at 09:22 (04:22 Moscow time) local time. In order to launch the astronauts into orbit, the CZ-2F launch vehicle was used.
Now the ship must dock with the Tiangong orbital station under construction, after which astronauts (Nie Haisheng, Liu Boming and Tang Hongbo) will begin work, which will last about three months.
During this time, the astronauts will observe the operation of all systems of the station, carry out (if necessary) repair work, and also planned spacewalks.
The fully-fledged Tianhe Space Orbital Station, which is China's third orbital station, will not be fully deployed until 2022.
The previous orbital stations Tyangun-2 were decommissioned in September 2016, and Tyangun-1 in 2011. And the last manned flight of the Shenzhou-11 spacecraft took place in 2016.
And now, after almost a five-year hiatus, the Celestial Empire again launches its subjects into near-earth space and embarks on the development of their super-ambitious plans for the development of both near-earth orbits and deep space.
Well, we can only be happy for the Chinese and wish the astronauts to return to Earth in full health after completing their shift in orbit. Well, if you liked the material, then rate it and do not forget to subscribe to the channel.
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