Shenzhou 12 manned spacecraft launched at 9:22 on June 17 2021

The Shenzhou 12 manned spacecraft will be launched at 9:22 on June 17. The flight crew is composed of astronauts Nie Haisheng, Liu Boming and Tang Hongbo.

This was announced by Ji Qiming, assistant director of China's manned space engineering office, at the press conference of Shenzhou 12 manned mission held at Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center on the morning of 16 June.

Ji Qiming said that after the research and decision of the general command of the space station phase mission, the Shenzhou 12 manned spacecraft will be launched at 9:22 Beijing time on June 17. The flight crew is composed of astronauts Nie Haisheng, Liu Boming and Tang Hongbo. Nie Haisheng is the commander in chief, and the backup astronauts are Zhai Zhigang, Wang Yaping and ye Guangfu.

Astronaut Nie Haisheng has participated in Shenzhou 6 and Shenzhou 10 manned missions, astronaut Liu Boming has participated in Shenzhou 7 manned missions, and astronaut Tang Hongbo is on his first flight.

Ji Qiming said that the long march-2 F-12 rocket, which will carry out the launch mission, will carry out propellant filling in the morning of the 16th.

Ji Qiming said that the shenzhou-12 manned mission is the fourth mission in the key technology verification phase of the space station and the first manned mission in the space station phase. The main objectives of the mission are as follows:

On orbit verification of key technologies for the construction and operation of space station, such as long-term stay of astronauts, regeneration and life support, space material supply, extravehicular activities, extravehicular operation, on orbit maintenance, etc., and the first test of astronaut search and rescue capability of Dongfeng landing site; Carry out space applications and experiments in various fields; The function and performance of each system of the project are comprehensively evaluated, and the matching and coordination among the systems are further evaluated, so as to accumulate experience for the follow-up tasks.

According to the plan, after entering orbit, shenzhou-12 spacecraft will use the autonomous rapid rendezvous and docking mode to dock with the forward port of Tianhe core module to form a combination with Tianhe core module and tianzhou-2 cargo spacecraft. After staying in the core module for about three months, the astronauts return to Dongfeng landing site in the spacecraft return module.

At present, the combination of Tianhe core module and tianzhou-2 is in a stable state, all the equipment work normally, and has the conditions for rendezvous and docking and the entry of astronauts. All systems carrying out the Shenzhou 12 manned mission have completed the comprehensive exercise, the astronauts' flight crew is in good condition, and all preparations are basically ready before launch.