The Shenzhou-15 crewed mission is ready for launch with various systems and preparations checked, after a joint pre-launch rehearsal, said the China Manned Space Agency (CMS) on Sunday. 

Around 7:00 a.m. on Sunday, the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, the Xi'an Satellite Control Center and other space tracking and control facilities involved in this mission conducted a simulated launching procedure under the unified command of the Beijing Aerospace Control Center (BACC).

The Shenzhou-15 is due to launch three Chinese astronauts, or taikonauts, to the China Space Station for a half-year trip. They will briefly stay in the space station with the three-person Shenzhou-14 crew, who are preparing to head back to Earth. 

China's manned space program will run two Shenzhou spacecraft concurrently for the first time, creating new challenges.

All on good track

The Yuanwang-6 spacecraft tracking ship, which will carry out the tracking and control mission, is now in its designated mission area.

The Shenzhou-15 mission faces a difficult launch window in severe winter conditions, so teams including meteorological support, measurement and launching have intensified meteorological consultation and review of the related facilities.

Wang Xuewu, deputy director of the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, told China Media Group (CMG) that "to deal with the low temperature during the launch, our teams in charge of all systems at the launch site carried out facilities and equipment reviews continuously."

"Judging from today's joint rehearsal with inspection of all equipment and the entire system, we can say that all the systems of the rocket, the spaceship and the launch site are in good conditions, and we've finished preparatory work for the rocket refueling."

Chang Wuquan, chief designer of Long March 2F, also told CMG that since the Long March 2F Y-15 rocket was transferred to the launch tower on November 21, his team had connected the devices on the rocket and the ground equipment, and checked the condition of the whole rocket and its sub-systems according to the work plan.

"Through inspections, we've confirmed that the rocket is in a very good condition. We hope it can carry the Shenzhou-15 crew into the space smoothly," said Chang.

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(Cover: A combination of the Shenzhou-15 crewed spaceship and a Long March-2F carrier rocket has been transferred to the launching area in Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, November 21, 2022. /Screenshot from CGTN video)