By 
February 1st, 2022
Credit: CMS/CCTV/Inside Outer Space screengrab
China’s high-flying Shenzhou-13 crew — Zhai Zhigang, Wang Yaping and Ye Guangfu, have decorated the space station core module with traditional Chinese paper-cuts, red lanterns, and Spring Festival Couplets – all in preparation to welcoming the Chinese Lunar New Year.
Commander Zhai, a Chinese calligraphy aficionado, displayed a pair of couplets.
Credit: CMS/CCTV/Inside Outer Space screengrab
The taikonaut trio, who have now spent three and a half months on the in-construction space station, also plan to eat dumplings with three fillings to celebrate the Year of the Tiger, which starts on Feb. 1.
Credit: CMS/CCTV/Inside Outer Space screengrab
The space travelers have written Chinese poems and, according to China Central Television (CCTV), are watching the 2022 Spring Festival Gala on the network.
The Shenzhou-13 crew were launched on October 16 of last year, headed for a projected six-month mission to take part in constructing the country’s space station, due to be completed by end of this year.
Credit: CMS/CCTV/Inside Outer Space screengrab
Zhai and Wang have set records for the most number of days living and working in space by a Chinese man and woman respectively, and will hold the records until at least 2023, reports China’s Xinhua news agency.
Credit: CMS/CCTV/Inside Outer Space screengrab
To watch a video describing the festive festival activities by the crew, go to:
Posted in Space News
