October 29, 2024

— China has launched a new three-person crew to its space station, including a commander making his second visit to the orbiting laboratory and the only female flight engineer currently in China's astronaut corps.

Cai Xuzhe, Song Lingdong and Wang Haoze lifted off on the Shenzhou-19 mission on Tuesday (Oct. 29). The three Chinese taikonauts took flight at 4:27 p.m. EDT (2027 GMT or 4:27 a.m. on Oct. 30 Beijing Time) atop a Long March-2F carrier rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China.

Cai, Song and Wang are expected to arrive at the Tiangong ("Heavenly Palace") space station after about a six and a half hour rendezvous. Once docked to the three-module complex, the Shenzhou 19 crew will join Shenzhou 18 taikonauts Ye Guangfu, Li Cong and Li Guangsu for a brief time — the fifth direct handover in China's history.

Ye, Li and Li, who have been aboard the station since April, will then depart the space station to return to Earth, leaving Cai, Song and Wang to staff Tinagong for the next six months.

Launch of China's Shenzhou-19. Click to enlarge video in new pop-up window. (CCTV)

During their stay, the Shenzhou 19 crew are scheduled to conduct 86 science experiments and technology demonstrations, with a particular focus on biological and physical science research. In addition to growing protein crystals and studying the non-equilibrium dynamics of soft matter in the microgravity environment of space, Cai, Song and Wang will also work with bricks made from simulated lunar soil as a potential material for constructing habitats on the moon.

The bricks will arrive on the Tianzhou-8 cargo spacecraft during the Shenzhou 19 mission and be returned to Earth for analysis by the end of 2025.

"[My] last mission took place during the construction phase of the space station, which as developed from a single-module structure into a T-shape configuration of three modules. Our [Shenzhou 19] spaceflight marks the entry of the space station into the application and development phase," said Cai an interview with China Central Television. "During this phase, many new experiments and projects have been added to our mission, some of which are quite distinctive and interesting."

"Therefore, I very much look forward to the experimental projects," said Cai.

Cai, 48, previously logged 182 days as the system and science officer on the Shenzhou-14 crew in 2022. A member of China's second group of taikonauts, he has also performed two spacewalks to date, helping to install equipment on the exterior of the Wentian laboratory module.

Cai's two crewmates are both from the third taikonaut group and first-time fliers.

Song, 34, was an air force pilot before joining the Chinese space program.

"Twenty-one years ago, at the age of 13, my classmates and I sat in front of the television, watching the successful launch of Shenzhou-5. Filled with awe, the seed of the dream to fly to space was sown," Song, referring to China's first human spaceflight with taikonaut Yang Liwei, said during a pre-launch press conference. "As a 'post-90' astronaut, I feel incredibly honored and proud to serve my country by undertaking the Shenzhou-19 mission."

Wang, 34, is China's third woman to fly into space after Liu Yang on Shenzhou-9 and Wang Yaping on Shenzhou-13. Wang (Haoze) previously designed rocket engines at the Academy of Aerospace Propulsion Technology under the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation.

"In the past, I worked on the design of the propellant and engine for rockets. Now I have a new identity, an astronaut," said Wang. "What has remained unchanged is my ambition to serve the country."

"I want to fly around in our 'space mansion' and experience the joy of weightlessness," she said. "I want to diligently complete every task and protect our 'space home.' I also wish to roam through the depths of space and wave to the stars. Above all, I want to catch a glimpse of my motherland that nurtured me."

In addition to their science and maintenance tasks, the Shenzhou 19 crew also plan to engage in science education outreach and public welfare activities. They will be in space for the Chinese New Year, or Spring Festival, for which the flight controllers has packed a surprise gift for the crew.

Shenzhou-19 is the 33rd mission of China's human space program, the 14th to fly with a crew, the 11th to include three taikonauts and the eighth to live on board the Tiangong space station.