CASC - Shenzhou-11 Mission patch.
Oct. 18, 2016
China's Shenzhou-11 spacecraft with two taïkonauts (astronauts) on board entered its designated orbit on Oct.17,2016.
Image above: A Long March 2F rocket lifts off Oct. 16 carrying the Shenzhou-11 spacecraft. Image Credit: Xinhua.
The spacecraft, atop a Long March-2F carrier rocket, blasted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China. The launch of Jing Haipeng and Chen Dong on Shenzhou-11 took place at 23:30 UTC using the Long March 2F/G (Y11) rocket, with liftoff taking place from Pad 921 at Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center’s LC43 Launch Complex.
Launch of Manned China Mission with Shenzhou 11 to Tiangong-2
On board Shenzhou-11 are astronauts Jing Haipeng and Chen Dong, publicly announced as the crew less than 24 hours before the launch. Jing is a veteran astronaut, having flown on Shenzhou-7 in 2008 and Shenzhou-9 in 2012. Chen is making his first spaceflight.
Chinese taïkonauts Jing Haipeng (R) and Chen Dong (L). Image Credit: Xinhua.
Shenzhou-11 is scheduled to dock with the Tiangong-2 module Oct. 18. That module, launched Sept. 15, will host the crew for 30 days, twice as long as the existing Chinese human spaceflight endurance record, set by the Shenzhou-10 mission in June 2013. That mission was also the last Chinese human spaceflight prior to the Shenzhou-11 mission.
During the 30-day mission, Jing and Chen will carry out a number of medical and space science experiments, as well as test various systems on the Tiangong-2 module. They will also engage in public outreach activities, including serving as “special correspondents” for the state-run Xinhua news service.
Shenzhou-11 docking at Tiangong-2 orbital module. Image Credit:CASC
For more information about the mission, visit:
http://english.spacechina.com/n16421/index.html
http://www.cnsa.gov.cn/
Images (mentioned), Video, Text, Credits: CASC/Xinhua.
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