The Long March-2F Y18 carrier rocket, carrying the Shenzhou-18 manned spaceship was launched at 20:59, April 25th 2024 (Beijing time) at Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. About 10 minutes later, the Shenzhou-18 manned spaceship was successfully separated from the rocket and entered the predetermined orbit. The crew is in good conditions. The launch achieved a complete success.
The crew of Shenzhou-18 will take over the work from those of Shenzhou-17. During their work and stay in the space station, the crew of Shenzhou-18 will conduct multiple extravehicular activities, and carry out a large number of space science experiments in basic physics of micro-gravity, space material science, space life science, space medicine, space technology, and other fields. They will execute a series of tasks, such as the installation of reinforcement devices for protection against space debris, installation and recovery of extravehicular payloads and platform equipment.
This mission is the third manned flight mission of China's manned space program during the phase of space station application and development, the 32th launch mission since initiation of the program, and the 518th flight of Long March carrier rockets.
After being launched into the orbit, the Shenzhou-18 manned spaceship was successfully docked with the radial port of the Tianhe core module at 3:32 on April 26, 2024 (Beijing Time). The rendezvous and docking lasted for about 6.5 hours.
After completed a rapid autonomous rendezvous and docking with the space station assembly, the crew of Shenzhou-18 entered the orbital module via the return module of the spacecraft. At 05:04 am on April 26, 2024 (Beijing time), the crew of Shenzhou-17, who were performing missions in orbit, successfully opened the door of their "home" to welcome their counterparts from Shenzhou-18 to settle in the Tiangong space station. Later, the two crews took a group photo to report safety to the people across China who were concerned about them.
The two crews will carry out an in-orbit rotation in the space station. During this phase, the six astronauts will work and live in the space station together for about five days to complete all scheduled missions.
