China successfully launched Shenzhou-17 at 0314 GMT on 26 October from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, on a Long March 2F/G launch vehicle. This crewed mission to the Chinese Space Station (CSS) – also known as Tiangong – carried three taikonauts into LEO. On-board the craft were Commander Tang Hongbo, Mission Specialist Tang Shengjie, and Mission Specialist Jiang Xinlin.
The Long March 2F/G rocket carrying three crew into LEO. Courtesy: CGTN via YouTube
At T+6 hours 32 minutes Shenzhou-17 successfully docked with the station’s forward docking port. The new crew of Shenzhou-17 will be handed control of the CSS from the in-situ Shenzhou-16 crewmembers, who are expected to depart on 31 October 2023.
