Space & Astronomy
Launch preps for China's 4th manned mission
By
T.K. RandallMay 17, 2012 ·
4 comments
Image Credit: Xinhua
Three astronauts are scheduled to visit the Tiangong 1 laboratory on China's fourth manned space mission.
This mission will also see China's first female astronaut go in to space although the names of the trio have not yet been announced. Preparations are underway for the launch which could take place as early as mid-June, engineers have been conducting checks of the rocket and crew module to ensure that everything goes to plan on the day.
Once the astronauts reach the Tiangong 1 laboratory they will spend several days conducting experiments intended to advance future research and development including plans for the construction of a new space station about the size of NASA's Skylab.
Three astronauts will fly into space on the Shenzhou 9 mission, which will be China's fourth human spaceflight. Shenzhou 9 could carry China's first female space flier, according to state media. One official Chinese website indicated the mission would include a woman.
Source:
Spaceflight Now |
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