After the successful docking, the "new tenants" of China Space Station, Zhai Zhigang, Wang Yaping and Ye Guang Fu, entered the Tianhe core module one after another and officially started their six-month on-orbit work.
So, what are the tasks of the three astronauts this time? This time, three astronauts need to live in space for six months, which is also the longest space mission in China's orbit. For astronauts, this is no small challenge, both physically and psychologically, including physical health.
Although they have just entered space, they have already participated in relevant training for this six-month space mission as early as March 20 17.
Of course, in the end, these three astronauts stood out and successfully carried out space missions as the second batch of "new tenants" of China Space Station, which also means that all their tests are up to standard perfectly, and with the full cooperation of the ground, there is no need to worry about the health of these three astronauts in the next six months.
From the three-month orbit of Shenzhou 12 to the six-month orbit of Shenzhou 13, the time suddenly increased by three months. Some friends may be curious. Do you really need to live in space for so long?
In fact, this is the key to the alignment between the China Space Station and the International Space Station, because although it seems to us that the one-time stay in orbit is very long, it is a very normal stay cycle for the International Space Station, and after the China Space Station officially starts to operate in full, other astronauts will have to stay for at least six months.
Naturally, the three astronauts, including Zhai Zhigang, also carried out in full accordance with international standards, which can help us understand a series of physiological, physical and genetic changes of male and female astronauts after half a year in orbit. These data are very valuable.
At the same time, in the next six months, they will also perform extravehicular missions for many times, and Wang Yaping will also become the first female astronaut to perform extravehicular missions in the history of China.
In addition, this time, because of the abundant time, the three astronauts will conduct more experimental projects in space, including Wang Yaping, who has taught in space before, and it is also possible to give you another lecture in space through live broadcast.
Speaking of it, internationally, people who go into space in other countries are called "astronauts" and China is called "astronauts". In this regard, some people say that this is because China astronauts have never landed on the moon, so although they have been in space, they are not astronauts in the true sense. Is it true?/You don't say.
So, why don't China astronauts be called astronauts?
In fact, China astronauts are not called astronauts, not because we have never landed on the moon, but because astronauts are unique to China, a unique name, and the origin of this name is also very meaningful.
The name "astronaut" was put forward by Mr Qian Xuesen, the founder of China Aerospace. This is because China has navigators and pilots. Therefore, being called an astronaut is also a continuation of the style and has become one of the characteristics of China's space flight.
Internationally, other countries are called astronauts because they are all named after the former Soviet Union. As we all know, the former Soviet Union was the first country in human history to successfully carry out manned space flight. At that time, the astronauts of the former Soviet Union were named "космонавт" (Cosmonaut in English) before they went into space, which came from Greek.
In China, the English word for astronauts is Taikonaut, and the pronunciation of Taiko is very similar to that of Chinese "space", instead of Cosmonaut, which is used internationally. Naturally, the characteristics of China's space industry are more distinct.
Therefore, in the future, even if our astronauts land on the moon, Mars and even have the opportunity to leave the solar system, we will still be called astronauts, not astronauts.
Now, China Space Station welcomes the second batch of three astronauts. After completing their in-orbit missions, they will not return to Earth until the middle and late April next year. So, when will Shenzhou XIV be launched?
According to the timetable of China Space Station, China Space Station will complete all on-orbit construction tasks by the end of 2022, and the main on-orbit construction tasks are concentrated in the Shenzhou 14 mission stage. Therefore, after the return of Shenzhou 13 in April next year, it is very likely that Shenzhou 14, which is also in orbit for six months, will be launched in May-June next year.
China's space flight has entered a new era of rapid development, and China's space station has also ushered in a new moment of decisive victory. This really makes us feel excited and proud. I wish the three astronauts all the best and China's space development is getting better and better!