Ladies and gentlemen. Good morning! 

Yesterday, the Mission Headquarter held a meeting to evaluate and confirm the launching plan of SZ-17 spacecraft and its crew members.  

Today, we are pleasure to have Mr. LIN Xiqiang, Spokesman of China Manned Space Program and Deputy Director General of China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) to brief you about the relevant information and answer your questions.  

Now, I will pass the floor to Mr. LIN Xiqiang. 

Friends from the media, ladies and gentlemen, good morning! 

As commissioned by the Mission Headquarters, I take this chance to brief you about the Shenzhou-17 manned spaceflight mission.  As evaluated and decided by the Mission Headquarters, Shenzhou-17 manned spaceship is targeted to launch at 11:14, October 26th, Beijing time. Crew members are Hongbo Tang, Shengjie TangandXinlin Jiang，with Hongbo Tang as the mission commander. Astronaut Hongbo Tanghas flown Shenzhou-12 manned spaceflight missions. Shengjie TangandXinlin Jiangwill this time have their first spaceflight. Currently, all preparations are in order. Long March 2F-Y17 carrier rocket will be filled with propellant for this mission. 

This mission is the 30th spaceflight mission and the 12th manned mission since the implementation of Manned Space Program. Following main objectives are set for the mission: in-orbit crew handover with SZ-16 crew; about 6-month stay on the space station; to carry out experiments and tests of space science and application payload; to perform extravehicular activities and cargo-out tasks from airlock module; extravehicular payload installation and space station maintenance and repair tasks; also, to constantly evaluate the function and performance of the space station assembly; to acquire and accumulate the operating data and experience of space station; to examine the coordination and compatibilities of ground support center in carrying out the space station operation and management tasks; to further improve the operating efficiency and failure disposal capability of space station. According to the plan, Shenzhou 17 spacecraft will execute, after entering the orbit，the fast autonomous rendezvous and docking procedures. About 6.5 hours later, the spacecraft will dock with the front port of the Tianhe core module, to form a three-module and three-ship assembly. During the stay, the Shenzhou-17 crew will welcome the visiting and docking of Tianzhou-7 cargo ship and Shenzhou-18 manned spaceship. The crew are planned to returned to the Dongfeng Landing Site in April next year.  

At present, the space station assembly is in stable status, with all equipment functioning well. Product qualities of Shenzhou-17 spaceship and Long March 2F-Y17 carrier rocket are under control. The Shenzhou 17 crew is in good condition. Facilities and equipment of ground systems perform well. All pre-launch preparations are in order. Shenzhou-16 crew plans to return to the Dongfeng Landing Site on October 31st after completing their in-orbit handover with SZ-17 crew. 

This is the brief of the mission. Now I’m glad to answer your questions. 

 

 

 

1. What is the structure of Shenzhou-17 crew and what tasks will be carried out in orbit? What are the features and highlights? 

Thanks for your concern for Shenzhou-17 crew. The composition of the Shenzhou-17 crew continues to be based on the strategy of ‘Pairing the new with the experienced’, The crew consists of 3 astronauts. Among them, the commander is a second-batch astronaut, others are third-batch astronauts as his crew members. It is the first time that a second-batch astronaut leading a mission with the new third-batch astronauts. In 2021, Hongbo Tang, as a member of the first astronaut crew to carry out a space station phase mission, he experienced the historic moment when "Chinese people entered their own space station for the first time". 2 years later, he will be the first one to return to Tiangong, and witness the China speed and China capability in the construction of China Space Station. Hongbo Tang also becomes the Chinese astronaut with the shortest interval between two missions so far.  

As I mentioned before at the Shenzhou-16 Press Release, when China Manned Space Program enters the application and development phase, we will carry out crew rotation and cargo resupply on a regular basis, and the on-orbit work schedule of the crew will also tend to be regularized. mainly including the following six tasks: the normal rotation of personnel and cargo resupply; the care of the space station assembly platform; the crew's own health management; in-orbit experiments and tests; popular science education and public welfare activities; disposal of anomalies. In addition to the above routine work, this flight mission will conduct the first extravehicular experimental maintenance operation of space station.  

Currently, space debris is increasing. Impacts of small space objects on long-duration operational spacecraft are inevitable. Pre-inspection revealed that the space station's solar panel had also been hit several times by tiny objects in space, causing minor damage. It was, of course, taken into account in the design. At present, all functions and performance indicators of the space station meet the requirements, but from the perspective of long-term operation of the space station and verification of its technical capabilities, Shenzhou-17 crew will conduct the extravehicular experimental maintenance by EVA. It is a very challenging job. Let’s look forward to Shenzhou-17 crew’s successful completion of the mission, bringing the capability and capacity of the extravehicular activities to the next level.  

2. Now, the Shenzhou-16 astronaut crew has been working and living in orbit for nearly five months, how’s their workload coming along? What latest progress has been made in space science experiments and tests? 

Shenzhou-16 mission is the first manned mission after China's manned space program entered the application and development phase of the space station. China's first spaceflight engineer and first payload expert are traveling in space. 

Currently, the Shenzhou 16 astronaut crew is working smoothly in orbit, Under the close collaboration between astronauts and ground scientists and technicians, the space application projects are advancing steadily according to the plan. A total of 70 experiments in space medicine, life ecology, biotechnology, materials science, fluid physics, fluid mechanics, space technology, etc. were carried out as well as 8 research projects on human-factors engineering. A large amount of valuable experimental data was acquired, and some projects have achieved milestones in their application. The Space Station as a national space laboratory is gradually realizing its comprehensive benefits. 

During this mission, they have successfully completed one astronaut EVA, one "Tiangong classroom" space lecture, several cargo-out missions through airlock module, and cooperated in completing the separation and departure of the Tianzhou 5 cargo ship. 

In particular, limited by the microgravity environment and the capacity of space station, supplies management, the seemingly common task on earth, becomes a new problem on-orbit. Thus, we developed a program of capacity reduction and efficiency enhancement in collaboration between the space station and the ground. Under the commander Haipeng Jing’s guidance, Shenzhou-16 crew has cumulatively transferred supplies for about 850 times, fed back 135 pieces of information on supplies organization, fully completed the inventory and organization of on-orbit supplies, and made the state of supplies storage and information management brand-new, which set up a new standard for the following management of on-orbit supplies of the space station. 

In addition, before the Shenzhou-16 crew returns, depending on the lighting conditions, astronauts will hold a high-definition camera to capture a photo of the space station assembly through the spacecraft's orbiting flight. It is expected that the first time a full-view image of the space station assembly will be obtained in orbit with the Earth as the background. So, Let's look forward to seeing the photo of the space station at work in its full configuration soon.  

 

 

 

3. It has been reported that, unlike previous years, there will be only one Tianzhou spacecraft launch mission this year, what is the current status of space station resupply? 

Thank you for your concern about the resupply of the space station. Although there will be only one Tianzhou cargo ship mission this year, please rest assured that the space station is now well supplied, which can not only support normal astronaut residency, platform maintenance and upgrading and conducting large-scale experimental missions in orbit, but can also additionally support astronauts' residency for up to three months in the event of an emergency. 

Our replenishment strategy has always been to "save for a rainy day". Taking the subsequent launch of Tianzhou 7 as an example, we have set the principle that the on-orbit inventory at the time of the launch and the uploading volume of Tianzhou 7 together can support the astronaut crew to stay on-orbit for one year, that is to say, one cargo resupply by Tianzhou 7 can support the two astronaut crews of Shenzhou 17 and 18 to carry out their missions on-orbit. 

There are 2 reasons why only one cargo ship mission is scheduled this year: first, the cargo ship carrying capacity has been improved, the previous cargo ship used a standard cargo module, and since Tianzhou 6, an improved cargo module has been utilized, and the rear cone section of the cargo ship has also been incorporated as a loading space, which has increased the loading space by 24.3%, and the loading capacity has been increased by 21.8%; second, the program has established an information system for supplies that links the space and the ground, enabling precise cargo resupply. We have developed a model for the design life and use of supplies, including water, astronauts' necessities, etc. Through astronauts' on-orbit code scanning, the ground can grasp the consumption of onboard inventory in real time. With the accumulation of real-time consumption data in orbit for construction phase missions, the consumption model is dynamically adjusted and becomes more and more accurate, making precise estimation of the subsequent demand. So we can replenish what is lacking, and not bring too much or too little. As the supplies consumption model becomes more and more accurate and the replenishment efficiency is largely improved, the launch frequency of the subsequent cargo ship may be further reduced.

4. How is the selection of China's fourth batch of preparatory astronauts going so far? 

Thanks for your question. China's fourth batch of preparatory astronaut selection has been fully launched in 2022, in accordance with the primary selection, re-election, final selection of three stages of organization and implementation. We plan to select 12 to 14 preparatory astronauts, including space pilots, flight engineers, and payload experts. For the first time we will select payload experts in Hong Kong and Macao. 

By March 2023, the primary selection has been completed, and more than 100 candidates have entered the re-election stage. In August, the re-election was completed and over 20 candidates make it to the final round. Among them, the candidates for space pilots in the final selection are active pilots in the army, navy and air force. Candidates for Flight engineers and payload experts are mainly from industry, universities and science institutes. In particular, several candidates from institution/institute and universities in Hong Kong and Macao have entered the final round of payload expert selection. Let’s look forward to their good news. Currently, the selection of the fourth batch of preparatory astronauts is in order, and it is planned that all selection work will be completed by the end of the year. Please stay tuned as we will be announcing the status of the selection once it is fully completed.  

5. According to foreign media reports, astronauts from other countries will land on the moon in the future by traveling on Chinese spacecraft. What is China's response to this? Will any international astronauts enter the China space station to carry out missions in the future? 

Thanks for your attention to the program’s international cooperation. Now, we have a complete near-Earth manned space station and a manned round-trip transportation system; a mature astronaut selection, training and support system; and a well-planned manned mission, which is carried out twice a year on a regular basis. We are ready and prepared to invite astronauts from other countries to participate in joint missions to the China space station. We would like to take this opportunity to extend an invitation to the whole world and welcome all countries and regions committed to the peaceful use of outer space to cooperate with us and participate in joint missions to China space station. 

As for the lunar landing mission, we are now solidly promoting all development and construction work to ensure that the goal of landing Chinese people on the Moon by 2030 will be realized as scheduled. With the progress of the lunar landing mission, and when the relevant conditions are met, we will in the future, as we are doing today, formally invite international astronauts to participate in the lunar landing mission. 

‘To explore the unknown universe, and develop space technology’ is the common cause of human beings, and international cooperation is the trend of space development. We will continue to adhere to the principles of peaceful utilization, equality, mutual benefit and common development, and carry out various forms of international exchanges and cooperation, so as to contribute China’s efforts to building a Community of Shared Future for Mankind. 

 

 

 

6. We are concerned that the China Manned Space Agency issued a call for proposals for the overall low-cost cargo transportation system for the China Space Station and a call for proposals for the development of a lunar crew rover earlier, so how is it going now? 

Thank you for your interest in the program. At present, China space station has been transferred to the application and development stage. In order to welcome the high-quality participation of the social sector in the program, explore the commercialized R&D mode compatible with the implementation of the mission, and enhance the innovation and market competitiveness of China's space sector, we have issued solicitations for cargo transportation and lunar rover development, which attracted wide attention from the whole society and received positive response and participation from many Chinese institutes and companies in the space field. 

In response to the call for general proposals for the low-cost cargo transportation system, 9 candidates (5 State-owned enterprises in the field of aerospace and aviation and 4 private commercial space companies) submitted 10 proposals meeting the requirements. After expert review and assessment, 4 candidates has received engineering support and advanced to a detailed design study phase. Among them, several candidates have adopted the rocket plan of private commercial space rocket companies. These companies are developing cost-effective rockets with 4-ton to 6-ton capacity respectively. They are expected to participate in the subsequent procurement of commercial rockets and in the launch missions of low-cost cargo transport vehicle for space station. 

After the announcement of solicitation for lunar crew rover development program, many universities, car companies and research institutes responded enthusiastically and submitted various proposals. They form a number of "industry, academia, research and business" joint teams with distinctive features to carry out the program design. By the deadline, 14 joint teams composed of more than 40 enterprises, institutes and universities have submitted their formal proposals. 11 teams enter the first round of the program evaluation. 

At present, the expert committee has selected teams with better proposals to enter the next stage of work, detailing their plan. Today we have posted relevant results on CMSA’s official website. Please check our website for further inquiries.  

During the open call, we are pleased to see that China's private commercial space companies are developing rapidly and growing fast. Also they are highly motivated to participate in manned space missions. On behalf of the China Manned Space Agency, I would like to express my sincere appreciation to all the organizations that have participated in the program solicitation, and we will continue to release program-related project requirements and proposal solicitation announcements in the future. We welcome your continued interest and participation. 

 

 

 

7. According to the latest news, China is expanding its space station. I would like to know about the detailed plan and purpose of the expanding. Plus, the International Space Station used by the U.S. and other countries is planned to retire in 2030. Does China intend to compete with the U.S.in space hegemony? What is the guideline of international cooperation of the space station in the future?  

Now, China Space Station has fully constructed and entered the application and development phase. According to the plan, in the future, we will launch the Xuntian space telescope co-orbiting with the space station, conducting wide-field-of-view survey observations. Later, we will launch extended module in due course, upgrading the space station from "T" shape to "cross" shape; also, upload space science experimental racks and large extravehicular experimental devices in multiple fields, expanding the application scale and satisfying new requirements of space science research and application. Also, we will upgrade the facilities for astronauts’ on-orbit protective exercise, catering, sanitary, etc., improving the support level of astronauts’ on-orbit working, living and health. Now, the project plan is under verification. Please stay tuned.  

China Manned Space cause is an important component of mankind's endeavor in the peaceful exploration and use of outer space, which is used exclusively for peaceful purpose and is aimed at enhancing mankind's scientific knowledge of the universe, expanding and extending the space for human activities and promoting the sustainable development of human civilization. Since the inception of the program in 1992, we have put up a three-step strategy with the ultimate goal of constructing a space station and provide a solution for space application of larger scale with man-tending on a long-term basis. For more than 30 years, we have been implementing flight missions, breaking through key technologies and carrying out space applications in accordance with the established development strategy and mission planning; we have not engaged in any form of space race with any party and have never sought hegemony in space. On the contrary, we have always advocated the peaceful utilization of space. YANG Liwei, China’s first astronaut in space, greeted the whole world as his first words during the Shenzhou-5 mission and wrote down ‘For peace and progress of the human race, the Chinese have come to the space’ on the back of his work log. China is also the first country to carry the Flag of the United Nations on its first human spaceflight mission.  

Entering the space station phase, we would like to consistently carry out international exchanges and cooperation on the basis of ‘peaceful utilization, equality, mutual benefit and common development’. Mainly including the following four aspects: First, we will steadily advance our existing international cooperation projects with the United Nations Department for Outer Space Affairs, the European Space Agency and other agencies according to the established plan. We will carry out these projects successively in China space station. We will continue to deepen partnerships with established mechanisms. ; Second, we will actively expand cooperation and exchanges with emerging space countries, focusing on space station scientific experiments and applications, joint participation of international and Chinese astronauts in China Space Station missions.; Third, we actively participate in discussions and rule-making on international issues such as space environment governance, space traffic management, and space resources development and utilization, contributing to humanity's efforts to address common challenges in the field of outer space.; Fourth, constantly carry out popular science education activities such as interaction between students on earth and the astronauts in space, inspiring the young people’s passion towards the manned space globally.  

China Manned Space Program will continue to shoulder relevant international obligations and make positive contributions to mankind's exploration of mysteries of the universe, the peaceful use of outer space and the promotion of ‘building a community of shared future for mankind’.