According to an announcement from the China Manned Space Engineering Office, Shenzhou 17 is targeting launch at 11:14 on October 26.After research and decision by the Space Station Application and Development Stage Mission Headquarters, the astronaut crew for the Shenzhou 17 manned mission will consist of three astronauts: Tang Hongbo, Tang Shengjie, and Jiang Xinlin, with Tang Hongbo serving as the commander.
The crew includes 1 second-batch astronaut and 2 third-batch astronauts. It is the youngest average age of the astronaut crew since the launch of the space station construction mission.
The Shenzhou 17 manned mission is the 30th mission since the establishment of the manned space project and the 12th manned mission.
The main purpose of this task is:
Completed the on-orbit rotation with the Shenzhou 16 crew and stayed for about 6 months to carry out on-orbit (test) experiments of space science and applied loads, carry out astronaut and payload extravehicular activities, carry out extravehicular payload installation and space station maintenance and repairs.
At the same time, we will continue to evaluate the functional performance of the space station assembly, obtain and accumulate valuable data and experience in space station operations, assess the coordination and matching of the ground support center in performing space station operation and management tasks, and further improve the space station’s operating efficiency and fault handling capabilities.
While the Shenzhou 17 manned spacecraft is in orbit, it will receive visits from the Tianzhou 7 cargo spacecraft and the Shenzhou 18 manned spacecraft. It is planned to return to the Dongfeng Landing Site around April next year.