Leonard David's INSIDE OUTER SPACE

Image credit: CCTV/Inside Outer Space screengrab

All is in readiness for the liftoff of China’s next human space outing – the flight of the Shenzhou-18 crew.

Over the weekend, a full-system rehearsal was staged at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center.

This week’s projected takeoff, reportedly on April 25, is the 13^th piloted mission of China and the 18th overall flight of the Shenzhou program.

High-definition images of China’s space station were taken by the departing Shenzhou-16 crew last October 30.
Image credit: CMS

A still-to-be-identified three-person crew is to rocket to the China space station for a six-month stay onboard the facility.

The Astronaut Center of China says the Shenzhou-18 crew is in good condition, with all systems for their takeoff in go condition.

Once launched atop a Long March-2F Y18 carrier rocket, the Shenzhou-18 crew will join the already orbiting three-member crew of Shenzhou-17.