China has launched a rocket from the pad to transport three astronauts to its Tianhe core module. However, the launch date is still unknown.
On Thursday, Oct. 7, a 203-foot-high (62 meter) Long March 2F rocket was vertically transferred from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Gobi Desert.
The Shenzhou 13 spacecraft, which will transport the astronauts to orbit, is visible above the rocket. An escape launch system can be seen at the top of this fairing. It can quickly transport the spacecraft from the rocket in an emergency.
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Vertical transfer of the Long March 2F to launch Shenzhou 13, crew spacecraft to Jiuquan, Oc. 7, 2021 (Image credit to CMSA)
Although the crew has yet to be announced, it is expected that they will be the backup crew for Shenzhou 12's recently completed mission.
If that is correct, astronauts Zhai Zhigang and Wang Yaping would fly to Tianhe's space station module. It launched in April and has hosted only one crewed mission. Ye would make this his first flight, and Wang would become the first woman astronaut to visit Tianhe.
Vertical transfer of the Long March 2F to launch Shenzhou 13, crew spacecraft to Jiuquan, Oc. 7, 2021 (Image credit to CMSA)
However, the launch window for the mission has not been yet announced. Liftoff will occur at the same time as Tianhe's pass over Jiuquan. This will allow Shenzhou 13 to catch up and dock with her module just hours later. The first indication of when the mission will launch is likely to be an airspace closure notice.
Crew members will spend up to six months aboard the Tianhe module, which measures 54 feet in length (16.6m) and is used for verification and construction phases of China's space station. This visit will double China's current record for human spaceflight missions duration, which was previously set by Shenzhou 12.
Vertical transfer of the Long March 2F to launch Shenzhou 13, crew spacecraft to Jiuquan, Oc. 7, 2021 (Image credit to CMSA)
Tianzhou 3 a cargo spacecraft docked with Tianhe Sept. 20, and delivered nearly 13,230 pounds (6,600 kilograms) of supplies for the Shenzhou 13 mission.
The 13th Long March 2F rocket will be used for this mission. China's first rocket to be ready for launch and emergency rescue. Since launch of Shenzhou 12 on June 12, the rocket was vertically assembled at Jiuquan and was in near readiness. In the event of an emergency in orbit, it would have been possible to launch quickly.
Vertical transfer of the Long March 2F to launch Shenzhou 13, crew spacecraft to Jiuquan, Oc. 7, 2021 (Image credit to CMSA)
Liu Feng (Deputy Chief Designer of the Long March 2F Rocket), stated that vertical transfer has the advantage of allowing the rocket and spacecraft to retain their technical status following testing in the technical zone. This minimizes state transition and saves time in preparation for the launch area.
China space watchers also noted in press release photos by the China Manned Space Agency, (CMSA), that the Long March 2F for Shenzhou 14 had been assembled at Jiuquan's vertical integration building. This means it will be available in an emergency.
Vertical transfer of the Long March 2F to launch Shenzhou 13, crew spacecraft to Jiuquan, Oc. 7, 2021 (Image credit to CMSA)
According to CMSA, the facilities at the launch site have been in good condition. Launch preparations include pre-launch function checks, joint rocket-spacecraft tests, and joint rocket-spacecraft test runs.
This mission is the fifth in a series of 11 missions that will build the Chinese space station. In 2022, two new modules, Mengtian and Wentian will be launched and joined with Tianhe in orbit.
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