China’s New Taikonaut Crew Embarks on Space Station Mission
China Launches Youngest Group of Taikonauts to Space Station
In a recent statement released by the China Manned Space Program Agency (CMSA), it was announced that the Shinjou-18 space shuttle had been successfully launched from the Ciuchuen Satellite Center in the Gobi Desert. The shuttle, carrying taikonauts Yi Guangfu, Li Cong, and Li Guangsu, was launched into space with the Long March 2F rocket.
Just 10 minutes after takeoff, the capsule separated from the rocket and entered its planned orbital direction. Upon reaching the space station, the taikonaut team will take over from the astronauts who have been on duty since October 26, 2023, on the Shincou-17 shuttle.
This taikonaut team is notably the youngest group that China has ever sent to a space station, as all members were born in 1980 or later. Yi, born in 1980, who will lead the expedition, has previously traveled to the space station with the “Shincou-13” expedition in 2021. Li Cong, born in 1989, and Li Guangsu, born in 1987, will be participating in their first manned space mission.
During their 5-month stay on the space station, the taikonaut team will conduct various scientific experiments, technology tests, station maintenance, and other duties. Deputy Director of CMSA, Lin Xiqiang, highlighted that the team will carry out over 90 experiments covering different fields such as low gravity physics, space materials science, space life sciences, space medicine, and space technology.
One of the unique experiments planned by the taikonaut team is to attempt feeding fish in a zero-gravity environment in the space station’s aquarium. If successful, this experiment could pave the way for using fish as a food source for future space missions. Additionally, plant-growing experiments will be conducted to study the effects of low gravity on plant stem cells.
China’s space station, known as “Tiengong” (sky palace), was constructed after being excluded from the International Space Station program due to the United States’ ban on cooperation in space research. The station, which includes a core module and two laboratory modules, is based on Russia’s Mir Space Station model. Plans also include adding a space telescope module called “Şüntien” to the station.
As China continues to expand its presence in space exploration, the taikonaut team’s mission aboard the Tiengong station marks another significant milestone in the country’s space program.
