According to the China Manned Space Engineering Office
Beijing time 20:59 on April 25, 2024
Carrying the Shenzhou-18 manned spacecraft
Long March-2F Yao-18 launch vehicle
Ignition launch at Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center
After about 10 minutes
The Shenzhou-18 manned spacecraft successfully separated from the rocket
Enter the predetermined track
At present, the astronaut crew is in good condition
The launch was 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.
On the afternoon of April 25
Shenzhou-18 manned mission
Astronaut crew departure ceremony
At the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, ask the heavenly pavilion
Held at the Dream Garden Plaza
Astronauts Ye Guangfu (right), Li Cong (middle) and Li Guangsu at the departure ceremony
The Shenzhou-18 astronaut crew consists of
Ye Guangfu, Li Cong and Li Guangsu
After 2 years, he went on a "business trip" to space, and Ye Guangfu, the commander of the command
Ye Guangfu, the commander of the Shenzhou-18 flight crew, is the second batch of astronauts on the mainland, and after 11 years of unremitting struggle, he will be stationed on the Chinese space station on the Shenzhou-13 manned spacecraft in 2021, realizing his dream of flying for the first time. After two years, Ye Guangfu, as the commander, led the two young team members to pursue their dreams again.
It took 11 years for the first flight
This space business trip took only 2 years
CCTV reporter Wang Gang: This is the second time to go to space, is there any difference in mood and state?
Astronaut Ye Guangfu: The first flight was the excitement and excitement of realizing the dream of space, and at the same time, it was also full of curiosity and expectation. I think this flight is more of a mission responsibility, but also a test and responsibility.
For the first time to realize his dream of space, Ye Guangfu stayed in orbit for 6 months. During the orbit, he, Zhai Zhigang and Wang Yaping completed two out-of-cabin missions and two Tiangong classroom teaching tasks, and also carried out a number of scientific and technological experiments such as hand-controlled remote operation rendezvous and docking, and robotic arm assisted module transposition. The rich life in space is still unforgettable for him.
Astronaut Ye Guangfu: I remember that after our first mission, that is, after Commander Zhai and Wang Yaping came back from the capsule, I, as the support staff in the capsule, quickly opened the two-way pressure hatch, and then gave them a big hug.
After 183 days in orbit, the Shen-13 crew set a record for the longest stay time of a Chinese astronaut in orbit on a single mission at that time. After Ye Guangfu returned to Earth, after about half a year of recovery and recuperation, his muscle strength, endurance and exercise cardiopulmonary function basically returned to the pre-flight level, and then transferred to normal training. After evaluation, the Shenzhou 18 flight crew consisted of astronauts Ye Guangfu, Li Cong and Li Guangsu, with Ye Guangfu as the commander.
Astronaut Ye Guangfu: I think first of all, I should not only further improve my personal flight skills, but also reinvent myself as a commander as soon as possible, and constantly improve my overall planning ability, mission decision-making ability, space-ground communication ability, and the integration ability of the whole team in the process of learning and summarizing, all aspects are a test for me.
From the "one cabin and three ships" two years ago to the "three cabins and three ships" configuration that has returned to the space homeland, from the 03 astronaut to the commander, Ye Guangfu said frankly that the change of position means more responsibilities and missions.
Astronaut Ye Guangfu: It's not that with the normalization of the mission, we feel that the mission is very easy, in fact, on the contrary, it is more demanding and challenging for us, especially to deal with some problems and failures that may occur outside the plan, and how to lead the team to control such a situation is a big test.
The out-of-cabin activities of the Shen XVIII crew
Emphasis will be placed on the installation of protective devices for extravehicular facilities and equipment
At present, China's space station assembly has been in orbit for nearly three years, and with the increasing number of space debris, it is inevitable that long-term spacecraft will be hit by space tiny particles. According to the plan, the Shenzhou-18 astronauts' out-of-cabin activities will focus on installing protective devices for extravehicular facilities and equipment. To this end, Ye Guangfu and the two team members conducted a lot of training in the neutral buoyancy tank.
Astronaut Ye Guangfu: This time we go up and out of the capsule is to use no less than two out of the capsule, and then we may have a high-risk area to be impacted to protect, this time we need to protect the position is very many, the protective equipment also needs to be installed in the position it is not the same, the design scheme is also different, the installation station is also very distinctive, whether it can be well installed to do a good job of protection, our extravehicular operation is still a great test.
"Struggle is not a moment, but a moment"
"It's not flying, it's on the way to fly"
It took eleven years for Ye Guangfu to fly for the first time, and it only took two years for him to return to his space home this time. Before the flight, he wrote in his circle of friends "Struggle to realize your dreams, struggle is always online".
Astronaut Ye Guangfu: Struggle is the only way to realize dreams and success. When you have experienced hardships, experienced ups and downs, and felt pain and realized your dreams, when you look back and think about such a process of your struggle, then you will thank yourself, you once did not give up easily, and you used to work hard.
Astronaut Ye Guangfu: "Struggle is always online", in fact, I often use it to motivate myself, encourage myself a word, I remember when I was in middle school, I wrote two big words in chalk behind our door, that is, the two words "struggle", those two words have really been engraved in my heart, until now. Because I think that fighting for it is not a moment, but a moment, just like the attitude of our entire astronaut team towards the manned space industry, either flying, or on the way to prepare for flight.
Half a year of space business trip is about to start, repack and set off again, Ye Guangfu is full of ambition and confidence.
Astronaut Ye Guangfu: Although it is said that the new mission has new challenges and new tests, and as the commander of the mission, I will take two new members to carry out the mission, and there will be tests and challenges, but I, my crew, and myself and the entire ground team, we are fully prepared, and we can say that we are full of confidence in this mission, please rest assured that the motherland and the people.
The "Wild Snail" Rushes to Space Li Guangsu, a liberal arts student, is about to fly into the sky
Another new face in the Shenzhou 18 flight crew this time is astronaut Li Guangsu, who is also the only liberal arts student in the third batch of 18 astronauts. After more than three years of hard training, Li Guangsu has completed the transformation from a fighter pilot to an aerospace pilot. In our interview with him, we can feel that rigor, meticulousness, and calmness are Li Guangsu's greatest characteristics.
Li Guangsu, 36 years old this year, was born in Pei County, Jiangsu Province in 1987. In 2005, for Li Guangsu, who was in high school, it was his dream to become an Air Force pilot and fly a war eagle to the blue sky to defend the motherland. After strict selection, Li Guangsu was admitted to the Air Force Aviation University and joined the ranks of flight cadets.
Astronaut Li Guangsu: I used to fly a domestically made third-and-a-half-generation aircraft. I've done a lot of tasks and I feel like they're all treasures in my life.
In May 2018, the mainland launched the selection of the third batch of reserve astronauts, which was full of excitement and challenges for Li Guangsu, who met the selection conditions. In September 2020, after layers of selection, Li Guangsu stood out from many pilots who signed up for the election and became one of the third batch of astronauts in the mainland.
Astronaut Li Guangsu: I was quite surprised when I heard the news, and I felt a little unreal, and then I repeatedly confirmed that it was indeed passed, or I joined our glorious team as I wished.
The only liberal arts student
The pressure is comparable to "re-taking the college entrance examination"
From pilots to astronauts, with the change of identity, the pressure of many aspects also comes. As the only liberal arts student in the third batch of 18 astronauts, the basic theory course of aerospace made Li Guangsu feel the pressure comparable to "re-preparing for the college entrance examination". Li Guangsu said that it was difficult to study science at the beginning, so he chose liberal arts, but he didn't expect that many years later, he still couldn't escape the fate of studying science.
Astronaut Li Guangsu: When I was learning the theory of modified models, our theory had a passing line, but no one told you how much more than you were passing in the aerospace theory, or how many points you got or more that you met the standard, everyone was rushing for 100 points, and if you could get 100 points, you would never score 99 points. In addition to the basic theory, I think the training of vestibular function is also a challenge for me, after becoming an astronaut, these movements are compulsory subjects, and you have to go through this stage. What to do? Endure it, spin it around again and again, let yourself get used to it, and finally calmly complete this belief.
According to the astronaut training program, the third batch of astronauts carried out more than 100 training items in eight categories. From the tempering of the body to the will, from the endurance to the improvement of professional knowledge, these are the only ways to become an astronaut. Li Guangsu completed systematic study and training, and Li Guangsu, together with Ye Guangfu and Li Cong, was selected into the Shenzhou 18 crew.
Astronaut Li Guangsu: After basic theory, professional theory, and professional training in all aspects, it can be said that the foundation has been laid relatively firmly, and coupled with the running-in training of the entire crew, the confidence to carry out the mission has become more and more sufficient.
From guarding the airspace of the Motherland
to explore the vastness of space
The Shenzhou-18 manned mission is the third manned mission in the application and development stage of the space station. During the mission, astronauts will be out of the capsule, space science experiments and technical tests will be carried out. In order to complete these tasks, the Shenzhou-18 crew conducted targeted intensive training.
Astronaut Li Guangsu: Our space station has been attacked by space debris during operation, and our mission this time involves protecting our entire space station as much as possible. When it comes to the training of out-of-cabin activities, one of our most important places is the weightless tank training, as well as our Eva (out-of-cabin activity program) training.
For Li Guangsu, from guarding the motherland's airspace to exploring the vast space, the pace of going out for the country is equally firm.
Astronaut Li Guangsu: I used to be a pilot, I have 11 years of flying career, and the sky of the motherland has also had my footprints, and there are many corners of the motherland, and there are also footprints that I have struggled for. But whether it is a pilot or an astronaut, they are all contributing to the country in different positions. I'm looking forward to seeing what kind of starry sky it looks like after leaving the atmosphere? When I get out of the capsule, I must be even more excited, there should be a feeling that the sky is high and the birds are flying, and the field of vision should be very open, and then follow the space station outside the cabin to welcome the sunrise and sunset. Watching the earth turn in circles under our feet, I think it should be a very beautiful scene.
The "snail running wild" rushed into space
From a liberal arts student to a flight cadet, and then to being selected for the 18th Crew of God, Li Guangsu's career resume, in the eyes of outsiders, may be soaring and exceptionally smooth. But he said that he had ordinary talents, just like his WeChat name "Running Snail", and he had to take every step steadily, even if it was a snail, he had to run as hard as he could towards space.
The guy in the group photo is also about to fly Li Cong: I look forward to the perfect presentation of the first flight
In the Shenzhou 18 flight crew, Li Cong and Li Guangsu are two new faces and the third batch of astronauts on the mainland. Among them, Li Cong, who was born in 1989, was evaluated by Ye Guangfu, the commander of this mission, as "quick thinking, lively personality, strong comprehension ability, and strong hands-on ability", in the past three years, Li Cong has completed the transformation from fighter pilot to astronaut, and he is looking forward to the perfect presentation of space flight in the next six months.
I want to be a singer and pilot
Li Cong, 35, was born in Handan, Hebei Province, and was an Air Force fighter pilot before becoming an astronaut.
Astronaut Li Cong: Actually, my first childhood dream was to be a singer. In my third year of high school, because I also liked sports at that time, I also had a certain specialty in sports. A lot of people say that your personality is suitable to be a pilot, and that was the first time I heard the word pilot.
Fly into the longing blue sky for the first time
With the yearning for the blue sky, after layers of selection, Li Cong entered the Air Force Aviation University in 2009 and became a flight cadet. The experience of flying into the blue sky for the first time still memorizes him to this day.
Astronaut Li Cong: After the first flight, I didn't get used to it. After a night of tossing and turning, I remembered the perseverance I had when I first applied for the pilot exam, and decided to fly again the next day. As a result, after flying up the next day, all the discomfort of the first day was completely gone, and I felt that the feeling of freedom in the sky was still better.
A group photo makes the dream visible
After repeated self-challenges and tempering, Li Cong grew into an Air Force pilot who flew fighter planes. In 2018, Li Cong took a group photo with Nie Haisheng at the scene of participating in the astronaut selection, and at this time Li Cong really felt that the aerospace dream was becoming more and more visible.
The centrifuge test is a necessary test for astronauts, and unlike the anti-load training in anti-load suits worn by pilots, the trainees do not have any protective equipment in the centrifuge.
After the primary, secondary and final selection, in September 2020, Li Cong was selected as the third batch of astronauts in the mainland. However, although there is only a one-word difference between aerospace and aviation, there is a world of difference in what you want to learn.
Astronaut Li Cong: When the pilot gives me a more sassy and cool feeling, and when I do some aerobatics in the air, I am also more passionate and heroic. When you become an astronaut, you need to learn how to calm your mind and then make yourself more calm.
Wearing a heavy extravehicular suit and conducting out-of-cabin simulation training in the tank for a long time is considered by many astronauts to be one of the most difficult subjects to train. When Li Cong first came into contact with underwater training, it was only a basic action such as boarding the foot limiter, which also required repeated practice and continuous improvement.
"Sleep with one eye open"
in order to win the sky
After comprehensive systematic training and assessment, Li Cong was selected as the crew of the Shenzhou 18 manned mission. The crew carried out intensive training in physical fitness, psychological adjustment and out-of-cabin activities, and especially strengthened the training of emergency response capabilities.
Astronaut Li Cong: The commander's request to us is not that you come when you are working, but you don't come when you are sleeping or resting. To be prepared with this state of mind at all times is equivalent to sleeping with one eye open before sleeping.
After three years of unremitting efforts, Li Cong is about to win the sky, and Li Cong is full of expectations and confidence for his first space journey.
Astronaut Li Cong: Looking forward to the wonderful feeling that this weightlessness in space brings. This time, you can feel how our space home is being built. In fact, what I am looking forward to the most is how to complete our 6-month flight safely, smoothly, with zero errors and zero mistakes. It's an expectation, but it's also a challenge and a goal.
Successfully complete the task
Waiting for you to come home!