Iran (IMNA) - The spacecraft lifted off aboard a Long March-2F rocket at 4:27 a.m. local time on October 30, 2024 (2027 GMT, October 29) and is expected to dock with the Chinese Tiangong space station approximately 6.5 hours after launch.
The Shenzhou-19 mission is commanded by Senior Colonel Cai Xuzhe, who previously spent six months aboard the Tiangong space station in 2022. He is joined by rookie astronauts Song Lingdong and Wang Haoze, both 34 years old, marking their first journey into near-Earth space. The crew is scheduled to remain in orbit for six months, conducting a series of scientific experiments across various fields, including biology and materials science.
The Long March-2F rocket, which stands 58 meters tall and can carry up to 8.6 tons into low Earth orbit, has been a reliable vehicle for China's manned space missions. According to Lin Siqiang, Deputy Director of the China Manned Space Agency, the Shenzhou-19 crew will undertake 86 planned scientific studies during their mission.
The Tiangong space station operates at an altitude of approximately 400 kilometers and is designed to support a crew of three for extended periods, with the capability to accommodate up to six astronauts during crew rotations. The Shenzhou-19 mission marks a significant step in China's ongoing commitment to expanding its presence in space and advancing scientific research.
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