China launched a rocket from Inner Mongolia, putting three more astronauts into space to meet its existing three-person crew in-orbit and take over final construction of the Tiangong space station.
The Shenzhou-15 spacecraft departed from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the Gobi Desert Tuesday evening local time and moved swiftly toward its destination. As the flight passed a series of checks, the astronauts flashed smiles and a thumbs-up at the in-cabin cameras, showing the effects of near zero-gravity with the flick of a pen.
The three astronauts already onboard the space station, from the Shenzhou-14 mission, will spend a week transitioning duties to the newly arrived crew before returning to Earth—making it China’s first in-orbit handover. The Shenzhou-15 crew—astronauts Fei Junlong, Deng Qingming and Zhang Lu—will live in orbit for six months to finish building the space station, including setting up all its scientific equipment. The crew will conduct more than 40 scientific experiments in space science, space medicine and space technology.
During a press conference on Monday, Ji Qiming, the spokesman for China’s manned space engineering office, said the Shenzhou-15 mission would complete the construction phase of the space station and begin the first phase of its use and development as a base for space exploration and scientific research.
The in-orbit crew handover will also test the capacity of the space station’s systems to support a larger group onboard, Yang Yuguang, a professor from China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation Ltd., a state-owned aerospace and defense manufacturer, told China’s English-language state broadcaster CGTN.
The completion of Tiangong, which means “Heavenly Palace” in Mandarin Chinese, marks both a feat of China’s space program and a symbolic achievement in Beijing’s ambitions to become a world-leading science and technology power.
It represents a comeback for China after its astronauts were effectively banned from participating in the International Space Station by a U.S. law in 2011. The move fueled Beijing’s efforts to deepen its aerospace investments and develop its own independent space-research facility. With the ISS set to retire in 2030, Tiangong—which is designed to be operational for at least 10 years—could become the only space station left.
First Module Launched
China launched Tianhe on April 29, 2021. The bus-sized module contains the station’s life support systems and will serve as its living quarters.
It’s equipped with sleeping berths and a galley with a microwave as well as a treadmill and stationary bike. Videos of the interior show that it’s adorned with Chinese flags.
Key Supplies Delivered
China launched Tianzhou-2, an uncrewed spacecraft loaded with supplies and propellant for the station, on May 29, 2021. The craft docked with Tianhe later the same day. It held 4.69 tons of cargo, including food for the crew for three months.
First Crew Arrives
On June 17, three Chinese astronauts — or taikonauts, as they are known in China — launched to Tianhe aboard a Shenzhou capsule.
Additional Modules Arrive
The third modules, Wentian and Mentian, were attached this year.
Graphic by Alberto Cervantes/WSJ
Mr. Ji told journalists that the space station was made possible through the contributions of thousands of institutions and several hundred thousand scientists and researchers across the country, as well as China’s own breakthroughs in technologies. “The development of the project has always adhered to self reliance and independent innovation,” he said.
The achievement comes as the U.S. seeks to contain China’s technological advancement and Chinese leader
Xi Jinping
stakes his legitimacy on defiantly pressing forward.
During the Communist Party congress last month, Mr. Xi elevated the role of scientific progress and technological self-reliance to the country’s highest priorities, and packed the top ranks of his administration with experienced technology leaders in strategically important areas.
Aerospace experts were the most heavily represented, due in part to their successes in running the space program, China watchers said. The industry also plays a role in Mr. Xi’s civil-military integration strategy and in boosting national pride, they said.
Mr. Ji praised Mr. Xi’s leadership and emphasis on the space program during the briefing on Monday. The acceleration of China’s aerospace advancements were directly attributable to the “centralized and unified leadership” of the Communist Party, Mr. Ji said.
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