The three Shenzhou-14 Chinese astronauts, or taikonauts, have spent two months in orbit since they were sent to the country's space station on June 5.
The crew members, tasked with the most complicated and challenging mission during the construction phase of China's space station so far, have been carrying out various types of work in an orderly manner during the first two months of their six-month trip, and are in good physical condition, according to the Astronaut Center of China.
Setting up living environment in Wentian lab module
On July 25, the team witnessed the rendezvous and docking of the Wentian lab module with the Tianhe core module in orbit.
It is the first time that China's two 20-tonne-level spacecraft conducted a rendezvous and docking operation in orbit, and also the first time that space rendezvous and docking were carried out during the taikonauts' in-orbit stay in the space station.
The Wentian lab module has the same astronaut living facilities as the Tianhe core module, including three sleeping areas, a toilet and a kitchen – all waiting to be set up by the Shenzhou-14 crew.
Since the arrival of the Wentian, the trio has been busy setting up the living environment in the new module.
They are close to completing the installation and testing of the equipment for the regenerative life support system, which will regenerate vital resources such as oxygen and water in outer space, according to the Astronaut Center of China.
With the efforts by the team, now the lab module is almost ready for the taikonauts to live in, and one of the crew members Cai Xuzhe has been sleeping in the new bedroom for a period of time to test its functions.
In addition, they have been installing and testing the scientific experiment cabinets in the Wentian lab module.
Read More at https://news.cgtn.com/news/2022-08-06/Two-months-in-space-what-has-China-s-Shenzhou-14-crew-done--1chaSdwuawE/index.html
Comments