By 
October 17th, 2016
Credit: CCTV
China’s space lab Tiangong-2 is in good condition and ready to receive the piloted Shenzhou-11 spacecraft that successfully launched from Jiuquan satellite launch center on Monday (Beijing time).
Tiangong-2 has been in orbit for 30 days since its launch on September 15, 2016.
Beijing Aerospace Control Center adjusted the space lab for the last time early Sunday to prepare it to dock with Shenzhou-11. The control center also made some preparation so that the astronauts can live and work under safe conditions in the space lab.
Docking orbit
The docking orbit is at an altitude of nearly 245 miles (393 kilometers) above the Earth. Shenzhou-11 will be on its own in orbit for 2-days before docking with Tiangong-2.
Credit: CCTV America
“We have conducted relevant tests of the pressure, temperature and toxic gas in Tiangong-2,” explains Chen Xianfeng, a director at the Beijing Aerospace Control Center. “By doing so, the astronauts will have normal working and living conditions after they get inside it. After testing, we have identified that there is no toxic gas. We have ensured that Tiangong-2 is fully operational, ready to dock with Shenzhou-11.”
Craft in good condition
According to Yan Donglai, engineer in Kashgar space observation station: “Looking at the measurement and control systems seen by the mission control center, the Shenzhou-11 spacecraft is currently in a good condition. The circuit is working smoothly between the spacecraft and observation deck, and meanwhile, images of the cabin crew and area outside sent from the craft seem to be normal.”
The Kashgar space observation deck was the first site to observe the Shenzhou-11 spacecraft, shortly after its launch on Monday.
Credit: CCTV
30-day mission
As China’s sixth piloted space mission, the Shenzhou-11 spacecraft carried into Earth orbit astronauts Jing Haipeng and Chen Dong. It is the third space mission for Jing, 50, and the first for Chen, 38.
The plan calls for them to reside in the Tiangong-2 space lab for 30 days and carry out a number of experiments. Experience gained is geared to putting in place China’s space station in the 2020s.
Video resources
For a series of CCTV-plus videos on the launch and the Shenzhou-11 mission, go to:
http://cd-pv.news.cctvplus.com/2016/1017/8034513_Preview_2103.mp4
http://l3-pv.news.cctvplus.com/2016/1017/8034537_Preview_1476702245180.mp4
http://l3-pv.news.cctvplus.com/2016/1017/8034543_Preview_1476706326274.mp4
Posted in Space News
