Leonard David's INSIDE OUTER SPACE

Shenzhou-13 crew members.
Credit: CNS/Inside Outer Space screengrab

China’s Shenzhou-13 crew — Zhai Zhigang, Wang Yaping and Ye Guangfu – are returning to Earth in April. The taikonaut trio entered the Tianhe core module on October 16, 2021.

The under construction space station complex is composed of the core module and the cargo supply crafts Tianzhou-2 and Tianzhou-3.

Next up station modules.
Credit: CNSA

China has planned to carry out six spaceflight missions in 2022, including the launch of the Wentian and Mengtian lab modules, two cargo spacecraft and two crewed spaceships, to complete piecing together the space station outpost by year’s end.

The crews for the next two spaceflights have been selected and are in intense training, according to China Manned Space Agency (CMSA).

 Upcoming activity

Key technologies for assembly and construction of China’s space station, such as the technologies of module transfer supported by a robotic arm system and manual remote operation, have all been tested, in preparation for upcoming tasks.

Credit: CCTV/Inside Outer Space screengrab

In 2019, CMSA and the U.N. Office for Outer Space Affairs announced nine international projects selected for China’s space station. The first batch of the projects may be carried out in 2022.

As reported by China Global Television Network (CGTN), Zhou Jianping, the chief designer of China’s manned space program, said he’s looking forward to having foreign astronauts on board the country’s space station after it is completed and can operate stably and safely.