BEIJING, OCT 4 — China is expected to launch the Shenzhou-19 spacecraft and welcome the Shenzhou-18 crew back to Earth at the end of October, according to the China Space Agency, CMSA.
Based on the October mission plan released by the agency this week, the Shenzhou-18 crew currently at the Tiangong space station is expected to complete its six-month space mission this month and prepare to return to Earth.
The Shenzhou-18 crew consists of three male taikonauts — Ye Guangfu, Li Cong, and Li Guangsu — which was launched into space on April 25.
During the National Day Golden Week holiday, the Shenzhou-18 crew maintained a work-life balance, although they were busy with a heavy workload, including conducting scientific experiments, data collection, as well as preparations to welcome the arrival of the new crew and handover work.
According to a recording released by China Media Group recently, the three Shenzhou-18 taikonauts expressed their excitement for the upcoming ‘reunion’ at the space station. They also stated that they would clean the ‘room,’ prepare a ‘meeting meal’, and make the new crew ‘feel at home’. – Xinhua
