For the first time in five years, China is bringing its own astronauts into space. They are supposed to test important functions of the “Tiangong” space station under construction – and could break a record.
Beijing (dpa) – After its launch into space, the Chinese spaceship “Shenzhou 12” with three astronauts on board successfully docked to the core module of the Chinese space station under construction.
As the Chinese space program announced on Thursday, it was an automated docking maneuver with “Tianhe” (Heavenly Harmony). The cargo ship “Tianzhou 2” (Heavenly Ship) is currently connected to the room module on the other side.
The astronauts on board “Shenzhou 12” (Magic Ship) had previously started smoothly from the Jiuquan space station in the Gobi desert. It is the first manned Chinese mission in five years. If the crew stays on the station for three months as planned, it would be the longest stay of Chinese astronauts in space to date. In 2016, two Chinese had spent a month in space.
The “Tianhe” core module is the first part of the space station, to which two additional modules are to be connected. The space station will be called “Tiangong” (Heavenly Palace) and should be completed by the end of 2022.
© dpa-infocom, dpa: 210617-99-26421 / 4
