- The three Chinese astronauts arrived at the Tiangong (Heavenly Palace) space station about six and a half hours after liftoff.
- As the Chinese Space Agency announced on Saturday morning, the capsule and crew docked on the “Tianhe” (Heavenly Peace) core module of the space station, which is still under construction.
- The astronauts will live and work there for about six months.
It is by far the longest running space mission in China. The astronauts blasted off Friday evening in a Long March 2F rocket from the Jiuquan Space Station on the edge of the Gobi Desert. In addition to the 55-year-old commander Zhai Zhigang and 41-year-old Ye Guangfu, Wang Yaping is the first Chinese female astronaut since 2013.
Legend:
Astronauts Ye Guangfu, Zhai Zhigang and Wang Yaping receive cameras before the start. The missile was launched in northwest China on Friday evening.
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The 41-year-old posted on Chinese social media shortly before her second flight into space after 2013: “On a business trip for the next six months.” Wang will also receive a very special honor on the mission: she will be the first Chinese woman to tour in space.
The three-man crew is also slated to test the Tianhe core module systems on their long-haul flight, work outside the spaceship and conduct science experiments. Prior to their stay, six tons of supplies, fuel and equipment were brought to the base unit on a cargo flight at the end of September.
Legend:
Presentation of the new space station in Beijing in September: It is still completely under construction, while the “Tiangong” station will consist of many units.
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