Chinese astronauts blast into orbit
CHINA yesterday sent two astronauts into orbit to spend a month aboard a space laboratory that is part of a broader plan to have a permanent space station with crew in service around 2022.
The Shenzhou 11 blasted off on a Long March rocket at 7.30am from the remote launch site in Jiuquan, in the Gobi desert, in images carried live on state television.
The astronauts will dock with the Tiangong 2 space laboratory, or “Heavenly Palace 2”, which was sent into space last month. It will be the longest stay in space so far by Chinese astronauts.
Early yesterday, Fan Changlong, a vice-chairman of China’s powerful Central Military Commission, met astronauts Jing Haipeng and Chen Dong to wish them well.
“You are going to travel in space to pursue the dream of the Chinese nation,” Fan said.
“With all the scientific and rigorous training, discreet preparation, and rich experience accumulated from previous missions, you will accomplish the glorious and tough task. We wish you success and look forward to your triumphant return.”
Shenzhou 11 is the third space voyage for Jing, who will command the mission and celebrate his 50th birthday in orbit. In a space mission in 2013, three Chinese astronauts spent 15 days in orbit and docked with a space laboratory, the Tiangong 1.
China’s space programme is a priority for Beijing, with President Xi Jinping calling for the country to establish itself as a space power.
Shenzhou 11, whose name translates as Divine Vessel, will also carry three experiments designed by Hong Kong middle school students and selected in a science competition, including one that will take silk worms into space.
China has been working to develop its space programme for military, commercial and scientific purposes, but is still playing catch-up to the United States and Russia. — Reuters