The Shenzhou 15 mission will mark the start of full operations aboard Tiangong, with the trio lined up to conduct more than 100 experiments using 24 specially designed science cabinets installed in the new Wentian and Mengtian modules.
Fei, Deng and Zhang are expected to dock at Tiangong around six hours after launch. There they will be greeted by the Shenzhou 14 crew — Chen Dong, Liu Yang and Cai Xuzhe — who have spent the past half year in space helping construct the space station.
The three new astronauts will take control of the completed, T-shaped Tiangong space station, which received its second and third modules in recent months.
Fei, 57, was selected as one of China’s first-generation astronauts in January 1998 and made his first, and so far only, trip to space in 2005 as commander of the five-day-long Shenzhou 6 mission. He is returning to space after 17 years.
Deng, 56, is the last active member of the first generation of astronauts to get his first ride into outer space.
The third crew member, Zhang Lu, 46, is part of China’s second batch of astronauts, which were selected in May 2010. He is also making his first trip to space, following 12 years of training. Zhang also says he intends to sing(opens in new tab) in space.
“Although we are the oldest crew in terms of average age, we’re confident in our capabilities, as we are still in the ‘state of youth,'” Fei said(opens in new tab) during a Nov. 28 press conference.
“Seventeen years ago, I was on the Shenzhou 6 mission. Even now I’m still excited when I recall those vivid memories. Today I’m extremely proud and excited to go to space again for my country,” Fei added.
On Nov. 12, China launched the Tianzhou 5 cargo spacecraft, which delivered around 11,000 pounds (5,000 kilograms) of goods and materials to support the Shenzhou 15 crew for their mission.
The space freighter also carried 3,080 pounds (1,400 kg) of propellant to help the space station maintain its orbit.
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