China's Space Station Module Prepares for 2nd Crewed Spacecraft Launch... Accelerating Construction Pace

The Shenzhou 13 spacecraft moved to the launch area. [Image source: China National Space Administration (CNSA) website]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Hyun-woo] China announced that it plans to launch its second manned spacecraft, Shenzhou 13, soon to accelerate the construction of its independent space station. It is reported that a female astronaut will also be on board this manned spacecraft.

According to China's state-run CCTV on the 7th, the China Manned Space Engineering Office moved the second manned spacecraft, Shenzhou 13, which will be sent to the core module of the space station, Tianhe, to the launch area. Although the launch date has not been disclosed, CCTV reported that Shenzhou 13 will undergo various functional inspections and tests before launch and is expected to be launched soon.

If this launch succeeds, it will be the second manned spacecraft following Shenzhou 12, which was sent to Tianhe on June 17. It is known that the crew of Shenzhou 13 will include a female astronaut for the first time. The three astronauts aboard Shenzhou 13 will stay in space for six months, simultaneously conducting space station construction, repairs, maintenance, and scientific work.

Earlier, on the 20th of last month, the cargo spacecraft Tianzhou 3, carrying supplies necessary for space station construction and items for astronauts, successfully docked with Tianhe. The Chinese government plans to continue alternating launches of cargo spacecraft and manned spacecraft to speed up the construction of the space station.

The Chinese government aims to complete its independent space station by the end of next year. The space station currently under construction in China is 37 meters long and weighs 90 tons, about one-third the size of the International Space Station (ISS), which is jointly operated by the United States, Russia, and others. After the ISS ceases operation in 2024, the Chinese space station is expected to be the only space station for a while.

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