The Shenzhou-17 manned spaceship and a Long March-2F carrier rocket at the launching area, northwest China's Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, October 19, 2023. /China Manned Space Agency
China's Shenzhou-17 crewed spaceship is ready for launch after completing a joint pre-launch rehearsal on Tuesday.
At about 8:30 a.m., under the unified command of the Beijing Aerospace Control Center, the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, the Xi'an Satellite Control Center and other space tracking and control facilities involved in the mission simulated the launch procedure.
The rehearsal, closest to the actual launch procedure, was said to be the final one necessary.
Before this rehearsal, a comprehensive test was conducted on Sunday, after the combination of the manned spaceship and a carrier rocket was transferred to the launching area last Thursday.
He Pengju, a senior engineer at the launch center, told China Media Group that they've checked the rocket, the spacecraft and ignition and emergency shutdown devices.
"At present, we can say that all the major systems are working very smoothly and we are ready for the launch mission," the engineer added.
The three astronauts of the mission have arrived at the launch site, though their names have not been revealed yet. They have carried out physical activities, psychological relaxation, learned flight documents and plans, conducted various training programs and attended the rehearsal.
The trio will be welcomed by the Shenzhou-16 crew onboard the space station and conducted the country's third in-orbit rotation.