Shenzhou XVIII manned spaceship successfully (dock) with the space station at 3:32 am on April 26 2024, according to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA). The whole process took (approximate) 6.5 hours.
The spaceship, atop a Long March-2F carrier rocket, blasted off at 8:59 p.m. from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China. About 10 (minute) after the launch, the Shenzhou-18 spaceship separated from the rocket entered its designated orbit. The crew members are good shape and the launch is "complete success," the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) announced.
While in orbit, the Shenzhou-18 spaceship is scheduled (make) a fast, automated rendezvous and docking with the space station combination. The Shenzhou-18 crew will rotate with the Shenzhou-17 crew in orbit.
The Shenzhou-18 crew members are Ye Guangfu, Li Cong and Li Guangsu, with Ye as the mission (command). The Shenzhou-18 mission marks Ye's second journey into space, (follow) his previous role as a crew member during the Shenzhou-13 mission from October 2021 to April 2022. Li Cong and Li Guangsu,belong to the third group of Chinese astronauts, are both embarking on their first-ever space adventure.
