China’s new space station gets its first female astronaut
Three Chinese astronauts have entered the Tiangong space station to begin their six-month mission, the longest orbit for Chinese astronauts.
Wang Yaping, 41, is the first female taikonaut (term China uses for its astronauts) to board the station. She and two male colleagues, commander Zhai Zhigang, 55, and Ye Guangfu, 41, are expected to set a new space endurance record for China.
The Shenzhou-13 spacecraft (Divine Vessel) took off from the Gobi Desert in northern China. China Manned Space Agency declared the launch a success and said the crew members “were in good shape”.
The spaceship will conduct a fast automated rendezvous and docking with the in-orbit combination composed of the space station core module Tianhe and the cargo craft Tianzhou-2 and Tianzhou-3.
The assignments of the astronauts include operating mechanical arms, performing extravehicular activities, and having module transfer tests. They will also continue to test key technologies concerning astronauts’ long-term stay in orbit, as well as recycle and life support.
“The six-month stay in space without gravity is an unprecedented test for the astronaut’s physical and psychological health, and the reliability of the equipment,” said Crew commander Zhai.