Launch Preparations for Shenzhou-19 Crewed Mission | China Space Station
With just a few days to go before the liftoff of the Shenzhou-19 crewed spacecraft, the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China on Saturday conducted a comprehensive drill, involving all launch systems and units, to test their readiness for the upcoming mission.
Before that, the combination of the Shenzhou-19 spacecraft and its carrier rocket had been transferred to the launch area on Tuesday, October 22, 2024.
Covering all the ground operation units, the drill simulated the entire launch process, ranging from functional checks of the launch tower, the carrier rocket and the spaceship, to flight preparations, rocket blastoff and rocket-spacecraft separation.
The three Shenzhou-19 crew members, whose names are yet to be revealed, also participated in the drill. They completed equipment checks and finished the key flight procedures in cooperation with ground personnel.
The drill also included medical examinations of the Shenzhou-19 crew, as well as a simulation of the send-off ceremony, the in-cabin status setting and post-entry procedures.
"During the whole drill, the Shenzhou-19 crew were in a very good state, and they gave very accurate commands and made skillful operations. The collaboration between the ground control personnel and the crew, as well as collaboration among the crew members was quite good. After the drill, the three astronauts will make final preparations for the launch. They will receive close medical monitoring and continue to conduct skill-based training," said Xing Lei, a staff member of the Beijing-based China Astronaut Research and Training Center.
The ground personnel recently also conducted final checks and tests of the spacesuits, food, and other equipment and materials to be used by the astronauts. In addition, they tested the in-cabin atmospheric and microbial environment, and carried out other tasks, such as cell culture for space experiments, and functional tests of the equipment that has been installed on the Shenzhou-19 spacecraft.
Currently, the Chinese space station and its equipment are all in good condition, along with the Shenzhou-18 crew, made up of astronauts Ye Guangfu, Li Cong and Li Guangsu.
A search and retrieval drill was conducted recently at the preset landing site to prepare for the Shenzhou-18 crew's return after their six-month space travel.
The three-member Shenzhou-18 crew was sent into space on April 25, 2024.
Ye Guangfu (叶光富, commander)
Li Cong (李聪, mission specialist)
Li Guangsu (李广苏, mission specialist)
Duration: 1 minute, 30 seconds
Release Date: Oct. 26, 2024
