<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-10-04/China-to-launch-new-crew-to-space-station-in-late-October-1xpW3thbxzG/img/b32c0380dd064267b5a226738e3971fc/b32c0380dd064267b5a226738e3971fc.jpeg' alt='China's Shenzhou-18 crew working at the space station. /CFP'
The China Manned Space Agency has announced plans to launch the Shenzhou-19 crewed spacecraft and facilitate the return of the Shenzhou-18 crew to Earth in late October.
The agency’s October mission plan, released this week, indicates that the Shenzhou-18 crew, who are on board China’s orbiting space station, will complete their six-month space mission this month and embark on the journey back.
The Shenzhou-18 crew consists of three male taikonauts –Ye Guangfu, Li Cong and Li Guangsu. The crew was launched into space on April 25.
During the week-long National Day holiday, the Shenzhou-18 crew is striving to maintain a regular, orderly work-life balance. However, their time is mostly occupied by a heavy workload, including scientific experiments, data collection, and preparation for the arrival of the new crew and handover work.
The trio expressed their excitement for the upcoming “reunion” in the space station, showed a recent footage released by the China Media Group. They said they would clean up the “rooms,” prepare “reunion meals,” and make sure the newcomers “feel at home.”
