Successful launch preparations underway for Shenzhou XXII resupply mission
The agency confirmed on Monday that the Long March 2F launch vehicle, which will carry Shenzhou XXII, has completed propellant injection. All members of the Shenzhou XXI crew remain in good health aboard the Tiangong space station.
Officials released no further specifics on the immediate objectives for Shenzhou XXII. Zhou Yaqiang, representing the agency's general technical bureau, stated that the mission will deliver a full load of supplies, including equipment and provisions needed to support operations on Tiangong.
Shenzhou XXII was initially planned to transport its assigned crew to the station in April 2026. However, since the Shenzhou XX astronauts returned to Earth using the Shenzhou XXI spacecraft, the newly prepared spacecraft now serves as a contingency vehicle for the station's crew.
Inspections detected small cracks on the return capsule's viewport window of Shenzhou XX, which authorities attribute to a space debris impact.
The Shenzhou XX crew safely landed on November 14 with the Shenzhou XXI capsule, after extending their original mission by nine days. This return concluded a record-setting 204-day stay by Chinese astronauts in orbit.
Officials credit the mission's safe conclusion to contingency plans that maintain a backup rocket and spacecraft ready for launch within nine days should any in-orbit vehicle become unserviceable.
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