Chinese astronauts Cai Xuzhe, Song Lingdong and Wang Haoze will carry out the Shenzhou-19 crewed spaceflight mission, with Cai serving as the commander, the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) announced at a press conference on Tuesday.
The Shenzhou-19 spaceship is scheduled to be launched at 4:27 a.m. on Wednesday from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, the CMSA said.
On Tuesday, the three Shenzhou-19 taikonauts also met the press at the launch center. Cai completed the Shenzhou-14 space mission in 2022, while 1990-born Song and Wang, part of the third batch of Chinese astronauts, are newcomers to space.
Cai Xuzhe
Born in 1976, Cai joined the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force in 1995 and was selected to be a member of the second batch of Chinese astronauts in 2010.
During his last and also the first mission to space, Cai experienced the 'busiest' six months. He had witnessed the completion of the basic structure of the station and accomplished a number of "firsts," including the first in-orbit crew turnover with the Shenzhou-15 crew members.
"It is because of the support from our country and its people that we have the opportunity to visit the space again and again," said Cai at the press conference.
Cai received a third-class medal and the honorary title "heroic astronaut" in March 2023.
Song Lingdong
Born in August 1990, pilot-turned-taikonaut Song has had the dream of traveling to space since he was little.
"Twenty-one years ago, at the age of 13, my classmates and I sat in front of the television, watching the successful launch of Shenzhou-5. Filled with awe, the seed of the dream to fly to space was sown," Song told the press.
Song recognized that his taking part in the Shenzhou-19 mission has been made possible "by the strength of his homeland, the continuous efforts of generations of space pioneers, and the greatness of this new era."
"I will carry the 'flying' baton well, showcasing the spirit of my generation and writing the glory of the nation across the cosmos."
He was selected to be a member of China's third batch of astronauts in September 2020.
Wang Haoze
Born in March 1990, Wang is currently China's only female flight engineer and will become the third Chinese woman to embark on a crewed spaceflight mission.
Before being selected as a member of China's third batch of astronauts, Wang used to work at the Academy of Aerospace Propulsion Technology under the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation as a senior engineer.
From designing rockets to riding one, Wang said that she's deeply grateful for all the people working in the space technology sector.
"I want to fly around in our 'space mansion' and experience the joy of weightlessness. I want to diligently complete every task and protect our 'space home.' I also wish to roam through the depths of space and wave to the stars. Above all, I want to catch a glimpse of my motherland that nurtured me," Wang told the press.
Together, the crew will conduct 86 space science research and technological experiments. Several scientific achievements are anticipated in areas such as frontier research in fundamental theories, new material preparation, mechanisms of space radiation, and the physiological effects of microgravity, as well as the biological effects of a hypomagnetic field and molecular mechanisms.
