Speakers:
Wang Zhaoyao, director of China's Manned Space Program Office, Gao Ming, director of the Technology and Engineering Center for Space Utilization, Yang Baohua, deputy manager of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, Li Jian, director of the Beijing Aerospace Control Center, Huang Weifen, deputy chief designer of the Chinese Astronaut Research and Training Center.
Chairperson:
Hu Kaihong, vice director-general of the Press Bureau, State Council Information Office
Date:
Nov.18, 2016
Chairperson Hu Kaihong:
Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to the press conference of the State Council Information Office.The Shenzhou 11 reentry module landed safely at the expected site and the Tiangong 2 and Shenzhou 11 manned space mission was a complete success. We are honored to invite Wang Zhaoyao, director of China's Manned Space Program Office, Gao Ming, director of the Technology and Engineering Center for Space Utilization, Yang Baohua, deputy manager of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, Li Jian, director of the Beijing Aerospace Control Center, Huang Weifen, deputy chief designer of the Chinese Astronaut Research and Training Center, to introduce the manned space mission program and answer questions.
Wang Zhaoyao:
Good afternoon, ladies, gentlemen and friends from the media. The Shenzhou 11 reentry module landed successfully at the expected site in central Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region at about 13:59 Beijing Time on Friday.The two astronauts opened the return capsule's hatch successfully and are in good condition. They would be transferred to Beijing on Friday. The Tiangong 2 and Shenzhou11 manned space mission has been a complete success. We have been authorized by the headquarters of the manned space mission program and are very glad to see you here to introduce the space mission program and answer your questions.
The Shenzhou 11, with astronauts Jing Haipeng and Chen Dong on board, was launched at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center at 7:30 a.m. Beijing Time on Oct.17 atop a Long March-2F Y11 carrier rocket. The spacecraft later entered its designated orbit. The Shenzhou11 successfully completed its automated docking with the orbiting Tiangong 2 space lab at 3:31 a.m. on Oct. 19, which took place in orbit about 393 kilometers above the Earth. The two astronauts aboard Shenzhou11 entered the space lab of the Tiangong 2 at 6:32 a.m. successfully.
During the combination of the spacecraft, the two astronauts worked and lived normally and also conducted scientific and technical experiments on the physiological effects of weightlessness, tests on human-machine collaboration on in-orbit maintenance technology and released an accompanying satellite successfully. Accompanying photography and near-distance fly-by observation were also carried out. They collected abundant data and made some achievements in programs of gamma-ray burst polarimeter, space cold atomic clock and preparation of new materials. The Shenzhou11separated from the orbiting Tiangong 2 space lab at 12:41 p.m. Beijing Time on Nov. 17. After that, a rapid orbital maneuvering control demonstration test was carried out. At 13:11 on Nov. 18, the spaceship moved into re-entry process. At 13:59, the re-entry module landed precisely in the planned area.
The Tiangong 2 now has switched to independent operation mode to carry out space utilization science experiments. During the preparation and implementation of the manned space mission, Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, president of the People's Republic of China, chairman of the Central Military Commission, has given significant instructions many times on the success of the space laboratory mission. Xi sent congratulatory messages on the successful launch of the Shenzhou 11 mission, called and talked with the astronauts at the Command Center of the China Manned Space Program. Three other state leaders, Li Keqiang, Liu Yunshan and Zhang Gaoli were also present at the mission center and gave instructions. It indicates the Chinese government's close attention on the space mission and care for the entire staff.
This year marks the 60th anniversary of China's space industry. It is also a year of tremendous importance in the development of the manned space project. This year, we have undertaken several missions, including the debut flight of the Long March 7 rocket and the three missions of Tiangong 2 space station and Shenzhou 11 spaceship. We have also prepared for the launch of Tianzhou 1 cargo spaceship. Moreover, we are pushing ahead with research and follow-up preparations for the space station project. The various successes create important and decisive results for our space labproject, and lay a solid foundation for our space station operation and astronauts' long stays in space.
In 2017, Tianzhou1, China's first cargo spaceship, will be launched to verify the refueling technology that is key for any space station. Then, we will finish the testing phase of the space lab and enter into a new phase of building and operating space station.
Now, I'd like to take your questions. Thank you.