Shenzhou XVI crew looks forward to challenge
Shenzhou XVI crew members Zhu Yangzhu (right) and Gui Haichao take part in underwater training on March 29. Xu Bu / for China Daily
Jing Haipeng, commander of the Shenzhou XVI spaceflight, said on Monday that his crew is ready and confident to make their coming mission a full success.
"We will be the first crew to live and work inside the Tiangong space station since it entered the application and development phase. My crew consists of a spacecraft pilot, a spaceflight engineer and a science payload specialist. This means that we are going to face heavier, more difficult tasks," Jing said at a briefing with reporters a day ahead of the launch of the mission at Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwestern China's Gobi Desert.
He and his fellow astronauts — Zhu Yangzhu and Gui Haichao — spent a lot of time and energy during their training improving their skills in terms of space station control and analysis, decision-making and response capabilities.
"We discussed and made detailed plans for scientific experiments, spacewalks, maintenance and repair work, health management, and especially emergency response procedures, because we all know that only after we have trained to reach the best of our skills and capabilities, could we handle any possible risks or emergencies," Jing said.
Despite Jing being 20 years older than his two fellow crew members, he said there is no generation gap between them. He described his two young peers as "energetic, diligent and self-motivated".
"We respect each other, learn from each other, and encourage and support each other. We are working toward the same goal," Jing said, noting that the crew members work harmoniously together.
Zhu, the spaceflight engineer on the Shenzhou XVI mission, said that he looks forward to his first space journey and will strive to accustom himself to the space environment as soon as possible.
"I will use my energy, enthusiasm and expertise to maintain the good condition of all equipment and make the best use of each scientific experiment to produce as many scientific and technological achievement as possible," he said.
Jing added that his crew will take paintings by children from 10 African nations — Algeria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritius, Nigeria, Somalia, South Africa and Zimbabwe — to the Tiangong space station and display them. Those children are among the winners of a Chinese spaceflight-themed picture contest for youngsters around the world.
"The exploration of the universe is a shared aspiration of all people on this planet no matter where you come from, which race you belong to or how old you are. We will take the best of the children's memories, friendship and dreams to outer space. We will plant the seeds of science, friendship and dreams in our space station and wait for them to grow, blossom and bear fruit," he said, encouraging all children around the world to follow their dreams.
Related articles
US opens investigation into Ford crashes involving Blue Cruise partially automated driving system
DETROIT (AP) — Two fatal crashes involving Ford’s Blue Cruise partially automated driving system hav2024-04-30China arrests over 1,500 for illegal acts related to cyberspace rumors
China has arrested over 1,500 suspects for starting or spreading online rumors since the start of a2024-04-30Chinese President Xi Declares 31st World University Games Open
Contact Us HomeNewsHighlightACWF NewsSocietyWom2024-04-30Chinese swimmer Wang wins men's 200m IM at Tokyo Olympics
Wang Shun of China celebrates after the men's 200m individual medley final of swimming at the Tokyo2024-04-30China's NEVs powering up to lead global sustainability charge
People visit the 2024 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition in Shunyi District, Beijing, capit2024-04-30Zhangjiakou is ready for the 2022 Winter Olympics
Aerial photo taken on Dec. 19, 2020 shows the National Ski Jumping Center in Chongli District of Zha2024-04-30
atest comment