An official badge for the Shenzhou-18 manned space mission is seen in front of a rocket at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, northwest China, April 17, 2024. /CFP
The final pre-launch rehearsal for the Shenzhou-18 crewed mission was successfully completed on Tuesday, according to China Media Group (CMG).
The rocket and spacecraft have completed the electrical performance test, and the astronauts and all systems at the launch site have carried out the launch drill, with everything reported to be in good condition.
Engineering staff told CMG that this rehearsal followed a new testing process. "Starting from the Shenzhen-18 mission, we optimized the process and no longer test the backup rocket," said Zhao Bingkun, who works at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. "As a result, we shortened the launch cycle and improved work efficiency."
This launch is going to be the first crewed mission carried out in April for China's manned space project since the establishment of the China Space Station.
April is typically the windiest and sandiest month at the launch center in northwest China. The meteorological staff at the launch site have analyzed April's wind speed data over the past 10 years and mapped out multiple contingency response plans.
The combination of the Shenzhou-18 crewed spaceship and a Long March-2F carrier rocket has been transferred to the launching area, the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) said on April 17.
The spaceship will be launched in the coming days, the CMSA said, sending three astronauts to the China Space Station for a six-month stay.
(With input from Xinhua.)