China will carry out the longest crewed mission they have ever undertaken. On (10/16) these astronauts will glide by aboard the Shenzhou-13 aircraft.
Chinese astronauts from the China Manned Space Agency, right to left, Wang Yaping, Zhai Zhigang, and Ye Guangfu wave at a press conference at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, Jiuquan, China, Thursday (14/10) local time.
At a press conference, China's Manned Space Agency (CMSA) said the three astronauts would launch Saturday (16/10/2021) at 12:23 pm from the launch center in northwestern China's Gobi desert.
CMSA deputy director Lin Xiqiang, said the mission would include two to three space trips to install components needed in future construction work.
The three astronauts include commander Zhai Zhigang, 55, a former People's Liberation Army (PLA) fighter pilot, who in 2008 made the first spacewalk by a Chinese astronaut.
Zhai said the main challenges for astronauts would include more complex space travel than previous missions. It will also result in extra physical and mental pressure to stay in space for a longer time.
Another crew member, Wang Yaping, 41, will be the first female astronaut to visit the country's space station. She previously became China's second woman in space in 2013.
