China is preparing for its next voyage to its Tiangong space station later this month. A Long March-2F rocket and the Shenzhou-17 spacecraft have been transported to the launch pad at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Gansu Province. Wu Lei has this report. 

WU LEI, Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center "Hello, everyone! I am Wu Lei, take a look at this huge Long March 2F rocket, China's primary carrier rocket designed for human spaceflight missions. Currently, it's preparing to transport the Shenzhou-17 crewed spacecraft to the launch pad at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center.

The Long March 2F rocket is an impressive piece of technology, with a total length of nearly 60-meters. It features four boosters and has a takeoff weight of approximately 480-tons. To date, the Long March 2F carrier rockets have successfully launched 18 taikonauts into space.

The journey from the technical area to the launch pad covers about 1-point-5-kilometers, and the entire journey takes approximately 2-hours.

I've had the privilege of witnessing these rocket transportations and launches several times. On each occasion, scientists, engineers and all the space staff come together to bid farewell to rockets, spacecraft and taikonauts, as they embark on their last journey on earth before entering space."

SHI YAOXIN, Long March 2F Rocket Engineer, China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology, CASC. "Our following work includes the full-system launch drills, rocket fueling, instrument inspection, and the final ignition. (Reporter: And how is the whole state of the rocket now?) The rocket is in excellent condition and we are very confident about this launch."

WU LEI, Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center "After China's Space Station becomes fully operational, it's become a tradition at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. Twice a year, the Shenzhou spaceship and Long March rocket combination are launched, marking the start of a new mission for a team of taikonauts."

LIU YING, Space Enthusiast "This is my first time to see the rocket transportation. (Reporter: Why brought your daughter?) Because I hope the space seeds of dreams can be planted in her mind, she is also very interested in space sector."

WU LEI, Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center "Various relaunch checks and joint tests will be carried out as planned. Let's now wait for the exciting countdown to the Shenzhou 17 crewed mission."