The see-off ceremony for the astronauts of Shenzhou-18 manned space mission was held at 18:09 on April 25, 2024 (Beijing time) at the Wentiange Yuanmengyuan Square (i.e. Ask-the-Sky Pavilion) of the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. At 18:10, Xu Xueqiang, the Commander-in-chief of China’s manned space program and Head of Space Station Application and Development Phase Mission Headquarters, issued the “departure” command, and the three astronauts, Ye Guangfu, Li Cong and Li Guangsu, received the command to set sail.

So far, it has been nearly six months since the Shenzhou-17 crew entered the space station, and they are preparing for the arrival of Shenzhou-18 crew.