Shenzhou-10 docks with space lab
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E-mail CNTV, June 14, 2013
More than 40 hours after lift-off of Shenzhou-10 spacecraft, the craft has automatically docked with the Tiangong-1 space module early this afternoon. The crew are now in the module where they will spend the remainder of their mission.
Approaching the target module...Shenzhou-10 is being closely monitored by staff at the Aerospace Command and Control Center in Beijing.
The spacecraft has already been put through several orbital changes previously. It is now finally in an autonomous state of control.
Then the moment comes...at 18 minutes past 1 in the afternoon, Beijing time, Shenzhou-10 meets Tiangong-1.
"Shenzhou-10 reports. The monitors show the docking is completed. Over."
The docking over, the next stage of the mission begins.
Astronauts open the door of the space module, and float in.
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Photo taken on June 13, 2013 shows the screen at the Beijing Aerospace Control Center showing the three Chinese astronauts waving hands at the Tiangong-1 space module. China's Shenzhou-10 manned spacecraft successfully completed an automated docking with the orbiting Tiangong-1 space module at 1:18 p.m. Thursday and the astronauts Nie Haisheng, Zhang Xiaoguang and Wang Yaping opened the hatch of Tiangong-1 at 4:17 p.m. [Photo/Xinhua] |
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Photo taken on June 13, 2013 shows the screen at the Beijing Aerospace Control Center showing Nie Haisheng (L) helping Zhang Xiaoguang to stand after entering the Tiangong-1 space module. China's Shenzhou-10 manned spacecraft successfully completed an automated docking with the orbiting Tiangong-1 space module at 1:18 p.m. Thursday and the astronauts Nie Haisheng, Zhang Xiaoguang and Wang Yaping opened the hatch of Tiangong-1 at 4:17 p.m. [Photo/Xinhua] |
This is a model of the Shenzhou 10 spacecraft, and this, the Tiangong-1 space module. After the docking, the astronauts will enter the module to carry out scientific studies, technical tests, and maintenance operations of the module. All these efforts will lay technical foundation for the construction of China’s space station, which the country is planning to build in 2020.
This is fifth time a spacecraft has docked with the unmanned space lab, since it was sent to space two years ago.
Earlier, the Shenzhou-10 spacecraft blasted off from Jiuquan launch center late Tuesday afternoon carrying Commandar Nie Haisheng, astronaut Zhang Xiaoguang and the second Chinese woman in space Wang Yaping.
The three astronauts will stay in space for two weeks - the longest space trip of the country so far.
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Photo taken on June 13, 2013 shows the screen at the Beijing Aerospace Control Center showing Nie Haisheng contacting with the ground base after entering the Tiangong-1 space module. China's Shenzhou-10 manned spacecraft successfully completed an automated docking with the orbiting Tiangong-1 space module at 1:18 p.m. Thursday and the astronauts Nie Haisheng, Zhang Xiaoguang and Wang Yaping opened the hatch of Tiangong-1 at 4:17 p.m. [Photo/Xinhua] |
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Photo taken on June 13, 2013 shows the screen at the Beijing Aerospace Control Center showing Nie Haisheng entering the Tiangong-1 space module. China's Shenzhou-10 manned spacecraft successfully completed an automated docking with the orbiting Tiangong-1 space module at 1:18 p.m. Thursday and the astronauts Nie Haisheng, Zhang Xiaoguang and Wang Yaping opened the hatch of Tiangong-1 at 4:17 p.m. [Photo/Xinhua] |
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