Shenzhou 18
| Mission type | Tiangong space station crew transport |
|---|---|
| Operator | China Manned Space Agency |
| COSPAR ID | 2024-078A |
| SATCAT no. | 59591 |
| Mission duration | 180 days (planned) |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Spacecraft type | Shenzhou |
| Manufacturer | China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation |
| Crew | |
| Crew size | 3 |
| Members | Ye Guangfu Li Cong Li Guangsu |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 25 April 2024, 12:59 UTC (planned) |
| Rocket | Long March 2F |
| Launch site | Jiuquan, LA-4/SLS |
| Contractor | China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology |
| End of mission | |
| Landing date | October 2024 (planned) |
| Landing site | Inner Mongolia, China |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric orbit |
| Regime | Low Earth orbit |
| Inclination | 41.5° |
| Docking with Tiangong space station | |
| Docking port | Tianhe nadir |
| Docking date | 25 April 2024 (planned) |
| Undocking date | October 2024 (planned) |
| Time docked | 180 days (planned) |
Shenzhou 18 (Chinese: 神舟十八号; pinyin: Shénzhōu Shíbā-hào; lit. 'Divine Boat Number 18') is a planned Chinese spaceflight to the Tiangong space station, expected to launch on 25 April 2024, near the end of the Shenzhou 17 mission. It will carry three taikonauts on board a Shenzhou spacecraft. The mission will be the thirteenth crewed Chinese spaceflight and the eighteenth flight overall of the Shenzhou program.[1]
Background
Shenzhou 18 is expected to launch prior to the completion of the previous mission, Shenzhou 17. It is planned to last about six months, as is standard with Shenzhou missions to Tiangong. It will depart following the arrival of the Shenzhou 19 crew.
The crew of Shenzhou 18 consist of Ye Guangfu, Li Cong and Li Guangsu.[2]
Mission
The mission will launch from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center on board a Long March 2F rocket. The Shenzhou spacecraft will dock to the Tianhe core module of the station, where the crew will enter prior to the departure of Shenzhou 17.
Crew
| Position | Crew member | |
|---|---|---|
| Commander |  Ye Guangfu, CMSA
| |
| Operator | Li Cong, CMSA
| |
| System Operator | Li Guangsu, CMSA
| |
The crew of the Shenzhou 18 mission was announced by the CMSA on 24 April 2024 during a press conference in Jiuquan, China.[2]
References
- ^ Jones, Andrew (2023-11-22). "China's next cargo spacecraft arrives at launch site ahead of early 2024 liftoff". Space.com. Retrieved 2024-01-06.
- ^ a b "China unveils Shenzhou-18 crew for space station mission". Xinhua. 24 April 2024. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
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