Successful Launch of China's Crewed Spacecraft Shenzhou 13... Docking with Space Station Module

Launch of China's manned spacecraft Shenzhou 13 on the 16th
[Photo by Reuters]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suhwan] China's manned spacecraft 'Shenzhou 13,' which will support the construction project of China's independent space station Tiangong, successfully docked in space on the 16th.

According to China Central Television (CCTV) footage, Shenzhou 13 was launched at 0:23 a.m. (local time) on the 16th from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Gansu Province, northwest China, aboard the 'Long March-2F Yao-13' rocket.

After 9 minutes and 42 seconds from launch, Shenzhou 13 successfully separated from the rocket and entered the planned orbit. The official overseeing the launch mission announced, "The Shenzhou 13 launch mission was successfully (perfectly) completed."

Subsequently, Shenzhou 13 successfully docked with the core module of the space station, 'Tianhe,' at around 6:56 a.m. on the same day, according to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA).

Commander Zhai Zhigang, Wang Yaping, and Ye Guangfu were aboard Shenzhou 13.

The three astronauts will stay in space for six months after docking with the core module 'Tianhe,' conducting key technical tests related to the assembly and construction of Tiangong, installing various devices necessary for Tiangong's construction, and performing scientific experiments.

Chinese media reported that six months will be the longest continuous space stay record in China's space exploration history.

Wang Yaping has become the first Chinese female astronaut to perform extravehicular activities outside the spacecraft while visiting the under-construction Chinese space station.

Previously, Shenzhou 12, carrying three astronauts, was launched on June 17 and docked with Tianhe on the same day. They completed a 90-day mission in Tianhe and returned to Earth on the 17th of last month.

China plans to complete the Tiangong space station project by the end of next year.

The space station China is building measures 37 meters in length and weighs 90 tons, which is one-third the size of the International Space Station (ISS) currently jointly operated by the United States, Russia, and others.

After the ISS ceases operation in 2024, the Chinese space station is expected to be the only space station for a while.