2016年CRI Shenzhou 11 spacecraft to carry two astronauts into space

Shenzhou 11 spacecraft to carry two astronauts into space

Sitting under the national flag and separated from the media by a transparent 1 glass wall, 50-year-old Jing Haipeng and 37-year-old Chen Dong appeared calm as they prepare to be part of, what is scheduled to be, China's longest-ever manned spaceflight mission.

The two are scheduled to spend a total of 33-days in orbit.

This will be 3rd trip into space for veteran Chinese astronaut Jing Haipeng.

He was on the Shenzhou-7 mission in 2008 and the Shenzhou-9 mission in 2012.

The mission's commander was also part of docking missions on both his previous space flights, giving him the experience needed to help dock Shenzhou-11 with Tiangong-2.

Jing Haipeng says this leaves him with a lot of confidence heading into tomorrow's launch.

"The past 18 years of intensive professional astronaut training, together with the two previous expereinces I've had flying in space, I'm very confident and determined 2 this mission is going to be a great success. Personally, I'm much calmer and in a more positive head-space than I was during my previous missions. I'm very proud to be here to greet our country. I know my confidence is shared with the rest of our entire space program."

With an unblemished flight record of 15-hundred hours as a pilot, 37-year old Chen Dong was chosen in 2010 to be part of the next generation of Chinese astronauts.

He too says he's confident heading into the mission, even though it will be his first time in space.

"I have the chance to join my first mission after 6-years of intensive training and learning. For me, the timing 3 is perfect - not too early, but not too late either. When we train, Jing is my teacher. In life, he is my brother. He is so dedicated 4, and demands only the best from me and the others that he works with. Because of his experience, I am very lucky to be paired with him on this mission into space."

After being put into orbit, Jing Haipeng and Chen Dong are going to conduct a series of experiments, including testing the latest in China's advanced life support systems, as well as scientific research.

Wu Ping, deputy director of China's Manned Space Program, explains the role of the two astronauts in space.

"During their mission, the two are essentially 5 back-ups to one-another. They are both capable of piloting the spacecraft, complex management, manual docking as well as handling any emergency situations or malfunctions 6. While in orbit, they are going to complete a number of maneuvers 7 with Shenzhou-11, as well as orbital experiments, demonstrations 8 and tests on human health in space."

After tomorrow morning's launch, Shenzhou-11 will stay in orbit for 2-days before docking with Tiangong-2 at an altitude of 393-kilometers above the earth.

For CRI, this is Liu Mohan in Jiuquan.