China’s next space station milestone is the upcoming launch of the Shenzhou-21 crew. The country has rolled out the Long March 2F/G launch vehicle with the Shenzhou-21 spacecraft atop to the launch pad at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center on October 24th.
“The mission is currently working towards an October 31st launch to the Tiangong Space Station,” reported China Central Television (CCTV).
Upcoming are full rehearsals of the launch process.
Who is flying?
“As is standard for China’s crewed missions, the Shenzhou-21 crew is not currently known and will be announced in the days before launch through two press conferences,” CCTV adds.
China’s Shenzhou-20 crew.
Image credit: CMSA/CCTV/Inside Outer Space screengrab
Now in orbit the Shenzhou-20 trio — Commander Chen Dong, Operator Chen Zhongrui, and Science Operator Wang Jie — who have been in space since April 24th, about six months ago.
Once the Shenzhou-21 crew arrives, the six taikonauts will spend about a week together onboard China’s Tiangong space station, before the Shenzhou-20 mission returns to Earth in November.
China’s Tiangong space station as imaged by MAXAR satellite.
Image credit: MAXAR
Design changes
“This rocket incorporates 16 design changes, with the most important one being the fully upgraded optical navigation system, which greatly improves the redundant inertial measurement units and boost flight reliability,” Sun Yanqiu, an engineer of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, told CCTV.
The Shenzhou-21 will be the 10th crewed mission since China began the initial construction of its space station.
For a video of the rollout, go to: