After entering orbit, the spacecraft will conduct a fast automated rendezvous and docking with the combination of the space station according to the predetermined procedure. The crew of Shenzhou-17 will take over the work from those of Shenzhou-16. During their work and stay in the space station, the crew of Shenzhou-17 will conduct multiple extravehicular activities, 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 on installation, debugging, maintenance and reparation of equipment inside and outside the spacecraft.

This mission is the second manned flight mission of China's manned space program during the phase of space station application and development, the 30th launch mission since initiation of the program, and the 493th flight of Long March carrier rockets.

At present, the space station combination has entered the docking orbit and is in good operation, meeting the mission requirements for rendezvous and docking with Shenzhou-17 manned spaceship and the conditions for astronauts to stay there.