According to the China Manned Space Engineering Office, at 20:59 Beijing time on April 25, 2024, the Long March-2F Yao-18 carrier rocket carrying the Shenzhou-18 manned spacecraft was ignited and launched at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, and about 10 minutes later, the Shenzhou-18 manned spacecraft successfully separated from the rocket and entered the predetermined orbit. At present, the astronaut crew is in good condition, and the launch has been a complete success.
After the spacecraft is put into orbit, it will carry out autonomous rapid rendezvous and docking with the space station assembly in accordance with the predetermined procedure, and the Shenzhou-18 astronaut crew will rotate with the Shenzhou-17 astronaut crew in orbit. During the work and life of the space station, the Shenzhou-18 astronaut crew will carry out many out-of-cabin activities, carry out practical (test) experiments and applications in the fields of microgravity basic physics, space materials science, space life science, aerospace medicine, aerospace technology, etc., and complete various tasks such as the installation of space station debris protection and reinforcement devices, the installation and recovery of extravehicular loads and extravehicular platform equipment.
This mission is the third manned mission of the continental manned space program to enter the space station application and development stage, the 32nd launch mission since the project was established, and the 518th flight of the Long March series of carrier rockets.
At present, the space station assembly has entered the docking orbit and is in good working condition, meeting the conditions for rendezvous and docking with the Shenzhou-18 manned spacecraft and the stationing of astronauts.
At 18:09 Beijing time on April 25, 2024, the departure ceremony of the astronaut crew of the Shenzhou-18 manned mission was held at the Wentian Pavilion Yuanmengyuan Square of the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. At 18:10, Xu Xueqiang, commander-in-chief of China's manned space project and commander-in-chief of the mission headquarters of the space station application and development stage, issued a "departure" order, and three astronauts, Ye Guangfu, Li Cong and Li Guangsu, were ordered to set off.
Shenzhou 18 Success
Three astronauts have entered the re-entry capsule and are waiting for the spacecraft to launch
The first set of slewing platforms of the launch tower is being opened
The launch tower of the second and third sets of slewing platforms is being opened
All four sets of slewing platforms are open
ignition
launch
Launch into space
Shenzhou-18 manned mission
- This mission is the third manned mission in the space station application and development stage, and the 32nd mission of the manned space project. The main purpose of the mission is to complete the in-orbit rotation with the Shenzhou-17 crew, stay on the space station for about 6 months, carry out space science and application experiments (trials), carry out astronaut out-of-cabin activities and cargo entry and exit cabins, carry out space debris protection device installation, extravehicular load and extravehicular equipment installation and recovery of space station and other tasks, carry out popular science education and public welfare activities, as well as space carrying tests, further improve the operation efficiency of the space station, and continue to play a comprehensive application benefit.
- According to the plan, after the Shenzhou-18 manned spacecraft is put into orbit, it will adopt the autonomous fast rendezvous and docking mode, and dock with the radial port of the Tianhe core module after about 6.5 hours, forming a combination of three ships and three cabins. During their stay in orbit, the Shenzhou-18 astronaut crew will welcome the Tianzhou-8 cargo spacecraft and the Shenzhou-19 manned spacecraft, and are scheduled to return to the Dongfeng landing site in late October this year.
- At present, the state of the space station assembly and various equipment are working normally, the quality of the Shenzhou-18 manned spacecraft and the Long March-2F Yao-18 carrier rocket is under control, the Shenzhou-18 astronaut crew is in good condition, the ground system facilities and equipment are running stably, and all preparations before launch are ready. The Shenzhou-17 astronaut crew is scheduled to return to the Dongfeng landing site on the 30th of this month after completing the in-orbit rotation with the Shenzhou-18 astronaut crew.
Shenzhou 18 flight crew
The astronaut crew for the Shenzhou-18 manned mission is composed of three astronauts, Ye Guangfu, Li Cong, and Li Guangsu, with Ye Guangfu serving as the commander.
This is Shenzhou-18 astronauts Ye Guangfu (middle), Li Cong (right), and Li Guangsu. Xinhua News Agency
Biography of Comrade Ye Guangfu
Ye Guangfu, male, Han nationality, native of Chengdu, Sichuan, master's degree. Born in September 1980, he joined the army in August 1998, joined the Communist Party of China in May 2002, and is currently a first-class astronaut of the astronaut brigade of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, with the rank of colonel. He used to be the director of air combat shooting at the headquarters of a certain division and regiment of the Air Force Aviation Corps, and was rated as a first-class pilot of the Air Force. In May 2010, he was selected as the second batch of astronauts in the mainland, carried out the Shenzhou-13 manned mission in October 2021, and was awarded the honorary title of "Heroic Astronaut" by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, the State Council, and the Central Military Commission in June 2022, and won the "Third-Class Aerospace Merit Medal". After a comprehensive evaluation, he was selected as the crew of the Shenzhou 18 manned mission and served as the commander.
Biography of Comrade Li Cong
Li Cong, male, Han nationality, native of Handan, Hebei Province, bachelor's degree. Born in October 1989, he joined the army in September 2009 and joined the Communist Party of China in June 2011, and is currently a fourth-class astronaut of the astronaut brigade of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, with the rank of lieutenant colonel in the Air Force. He used to be the deputy captain of the flight group of a brigade of the Air Force and was rated as a second-class pilot of the Air Force. In September 2020, he was selected as the third batch of astronauts in the mainland. After a comprehensive evaluation, he was selected as the crew of the Shenzhou 18 manned mission.
Biography of Comrade Li Guangsu
Li Guangsu, male, Han nationality, native of Pei County, Jiangsu, bachelor's degree. Born in July 1987, he joined the army in September 2006, joined the Communist Party of China in June 2011, and is currently a fourth-class astronaut of the astronaut brigade of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, with the rank of lieutenant colonel of the Air Force. He used to be the deputy captain of the flight group of a brigade of the Air Force Aviation Corps, and was rated as a first-class pilot of the Air Force. In September 2020, he was selected as the third batch of astronauts in the mainland. After a comprehensive evaluation, he was selected as the crew of the Shenzhou 18 manned mission.