Edition: English | 中文简体 | 中文繁体 Монгол
Homepage > Sci Tech Video

China to launch Shenzhou-11 manned spacecraft on Oct. 17

CCTV.com

10-16-2016 19:45 BJT

Full coverage: China Tiangong-2 Space Lab Launch

China's latest manned spacecraft, the Shenzhou-11, will carry a two-man crew to the orbiting Tiangong-2 space lab on Monday. The crew gave a press conference on Sunday.

Chinese astronauts Jing Haipeng (L) and Chen Dong meet the media at a press conference at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, Oct. 16, 2016. The two male astronauts will carry out the Shenzhou-11 mission. The Shenzhou-11 manned spacecraft will be launched at 7:30 a.m. Oct. 17, 2016 Beijing Time (2330 GMT Oct. 16). (Xinhua/Li Gang)

Chinese astronauts Jing Haipeng (L) and Chen Dong meet the media at a press conference at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, Oct. 16, 2016. The two male astronauts will carry out the Shenzhou-11 mission. The Shenzhou-11 manned spacecraft will be launched at 7:30 a.m. Oct. 17, 2016 Beijing Time (2330 GMT Oct. 16). (Xinhua/Li Gang)

Jing Haipeng and Chen Dong are the two astronauts due to leave Earth on board the Shenzhou-11 spacecraft. Jing Haipeng will serve as commander of the mission, and it will be his third space flight following the Shenzhou-7 and 9 missions in 2008 and 2012.

"Being an astronaut is my career. Flying in space is my job and my dream. Although the job itself is full of challenges, even danger to my life, I really love and enjoy it," Jing Haipeng said.

With a safe flight record of 1 thousan 5 hundred hours as an air force pilot, Chen Dong became part of China's second group of astronauts in May 2010, and was selected as a crew member of the Shenzhou-11 mission in June.

"After six years of training, I finally got the job. The timing is just right for me. I'm very lucky to pair up with Jing Haipeng and I'm confident in conducting the mission," Chen Dong said.

China's longest stay in space was carried out by the astronauts of Shenzhou-10. That lasted 15 days. Now, the plan for the astronauts of Shenzhou-11 is to complete a 30-day residence in orbit. That is why the number of astronauts had to be reduced, to extend their time in space.

A spokesperson for the Chinese manned space program said Shenzhou-11 will be launched on Monday at 7:30 a.m. Beijing time.

After docking with the Tiangong-2 space lab, 14 scientific experiments will be carried out in orbit. The experiments will cover cutting-edge technologies like space materials science and space life science.

Follow us on

  • Please scan the QR Code to follow us on Instagram

  • Please scan the QR Code to follow us on Wechat