The Shenzhou 12 manned spacecraft mission was the first time the Shenzhou series spacecraft carried out a round-trip space station astronauts transportation mission. The main purpose of this mission was to verify the key technologies for the construction and operation of the space station, such as long-term astronauts, regenerative life support, space material replenishment, extraterrestrial activities, extraterrestrial operations, and on-orbit maintenance. At the same time, it was also to accumulate experience for subsequent missions. The Shenzhou-12 manned spacecraft successfully docked with the space station's core module and allowed astronauts to enter the space station assembly to work and live. Finally, the spacecraft would return to the ground safely, and the mission was considered a complete success.
Shenzhou 18 was the 18th spacecraft launched by China's manned space program. It was successfully launched at Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center at 20:59 on April 25,2024. The combination of the Shenzhou 18 spacecraft and the Long March 2F Yao 18 launch vehicle had a total weight of more than 400 tons and a total height of nearly 60 meters. The spacecraft was made up of three astronauts, Ye Guangfu, Li Cong, and Li Guangsu. They would stay in the space station for about six months, during which they would perform tasks such as space station management, maintenance, and experiments. The Shenzhou 18 spacecraft was equipped with a fault detection system and an escape rescue system to ensure the safety of the astronauts. The spacecraft would perform an autonomous rapid rendezvous and docking with the space station assembly and rotate in orbit with the Shenzhou 17 astronauts. The Shenzhou 18 spacecraft is expected to return in late October this year.
The Shenzhou-17 spacecraft was the second manned spacecraft after the Chinese space station entered a new stage of application and development. It adopted the autonomous rapid rendezvous and docking mode and successfully docked at the forward port of the space station and the core module about 6.5 hours after entering orbit, forming a three-cabin three-ship combination. The mission objectives of Shenzhou 17 included completing the on-orbit rotation with Shenzhou 16, staying for about six months, carrying out space science and application load on-orbit experiments, carrying out astronauts 'extraterrestrial activities and load extraterrestrial activities, and for the first time carrying out extraterrestrial maintenance and installation of extraterrestrial loads. During their stay in orbit, the Shenzhou 17 astronauts would also welcome the Tianzhou 7 cargo spacecraft and the Shenzhou 18 manned spacecraft. He planned to return to Earth around April next year. This mission was the 30th mission since the implementation of China's manned space project, and it was also the 12th manned mission.
The astronauts of the Shenzhou 16 spacecraft were Jing Haipeng, Zhu Yangzhu, and Gui Haichao.
The Shenzhou-15 manned spacecraft was the last flight mission during the construction phase of the Chinese space station. The spacecraft was launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center on November 29, 2022, and successfully docked with the space station and the core module on November 30. During their stay in orbit, the astronauts completed a large number of space science experiments and multiple extraterrestrial activities, including the installation of extraterrestrial expansion pump units, the installation and connection of cross-cabin cables, and the installation of extraterrestrial load exposure platform support rods. Astronauts Fei Junlong, Deng Qingming, and Zhang Lu successfully returned to the capsule and landed, marking the complete success of the Shenzhou 15 manned mission. The completion of this mission meant that the 12 launch missions of the key technology verification and construction phase of the Chinese space station were successful in one go. The successful launch and completion of the Shenzhou 15 manned spacecraft demonstrated the outstanding capabilities of China's manned space project.
The Shenzhou 17 manned spacecraft was successfully launched at 11:14 on October 26,2023. After the Long March 2F Yao 17 launch vehicle carrying Shenzhou 17 was ignited and launched at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, about 10 minutes later, the Shenzhou 17 manned spacecraft successfully separated from the rocket and entered the predetermined orbit. The astronauts were in good condition and the launch was a complete success. The Shenzhou 17 spacecraft would dock with the space station and rotate in orbit. During their working life on the space station, astronauts would conduct multiple extraterrestrial activities and carry out various space science experiments and missions.
The astronauts of Shenzhou 11 were Jing Haipeng and Chen Dong.
The astronauts on Shenzhou-6 were Fei Junlong and Nie Haisheng.
The main mission of Shenzhou 16 was to complete the on-orbit rotation with Shenzhou 15. It would stay for about five months, carry out space science and application load on-orbit experiments, carry out astronauts 'extraterrestrial activities, carry out cargo airlock module, carry out extraterrestrial load installation and space station maintenance and other tasks.
The press conference for the Shenzhou 18 manned mission was held at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center at 9:00 a.m. on April 24,2024. At the press conference, Lin Xiqiang, deputy director of the China Manned Space Engineering Office, introduced the mission. According to the content of the press conference, the launch time of Shenzhou 18 was aimed at 20:59 on April 25, Beijing time. The crew of Shenzhou 18 was composed of astronauts Ye Guangfu, Li Cong, and Li Guangsu, with Ye Guangfu as the commander. The crew's mission included six cargo airlock exits and two to three exits. This mission was the third manned mission in the application and development phase of the space station and the 32nd mission of China's manned space project.
Shenzhou-16 completed the first manned mission in the application and development phase of China's space station. This mission marked the successful return of the Shenzhou 16 manned spacecraft and the successful landing at the Dongfeng landing site. Astronauts Jing Haipeng, Zhu Yangzhu, and Gui Haichao were in good health. During the mission, the astronauts completed hundreds of experiments and missions in orbit. They used the latest " rapid return plan " and completed the journey from space to the ground in only about five hours. The mission was a complete success, demonstrating China's strength and competitiveness in the aerospace field, providing valuable experience and enlightenment for China's future aerospace industry and space station construction.