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.
Source: People's Daily Jiangsu News