China's first and only female space flight engineer Wang Haoze expressed profound pride in working with the country's aerospace professionals during a press conference on Tuesday ahead of the Shenzhou-19 crewed spaceflight mission.
Wang will carry out the mission along with Chinese astronauts Cai Xuzhe and Song Lingdong, with Cai serving as commander, the China Manned Space Agency announced at a press conference on Tuesday.
The three Chinese astronauts met the press on Tuesday at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China.
The Shenzhou-19 crewed spaceship is scheduled to launch at 4:27 Wednesday (Beijing Time) from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, said Lin Xiqiang, spokesperson of the agency.
Cai completed the Shenzhou-14 space mission in 2022. Song and Wang, both age 34, are among the third batch of Chinese astronauts and are newcomers to space.
Wang is currently China's only female space flight engineer and will become the third Chinese woman to embark on a crewed spaceflight mission.
Once a senior engineer of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, she is now part of the People's Liberation Army Astronaut Division. She was selected as the third batch of Chinese astronauts in 2020.
During the press conference, Wang said that while her identity is changing from a rocket engine designer to a space flight engineer, her original aspiration and commitment to serving the country through aerospace endeavors remain unchanged.
From building rockets to boarding them, from supporting space missions to embarking on them herself, Wang said she is deeply grateful to all the aerospace technology professionals.
"For over three decades of manned spaceflight, from the launch of 'Shenzhou 5' to the operation of the space station, from Chinese venturing into space to cutting-edge space scientific research, every major technological breakthrough, every complex engineering accomplishment, every intricate scientific experiment all show the wisdom, persistence, and dedication of all aerospace professionals. As astronauts, transitioning from behind the scenes to the forefront, we are also the hands and eyes of countless aerospace professionals, exploring the mysteries of space together," said Wang.
"During the mission, we will undertake arduous tasks in space science experiments and space station management. I am mainly responsible for space experiment projects, material management, and station operation. Of course, many major projects will be accomplished collectively by the three of us in the crew. There are no perfect individuals, only perfect teams. I believe that under the guidance of the mission commander and with seamless cooperation between us and the ground team, we will accomplish the mission successfully," she said.
The astronaut told press that she is lucky to shoulder this mission as an astronaut in the prime of her life, and she is happy to integrate personal values with the needs of her country.
The Shenzhou-19 astronauts will complete in-orbit rotation with the Shenzhou-18 trio and stay at the space station for approximately six months, witnessing the arrival of the Tianzhou-8 cargo craft and Shenzhou-20 crewed spaceship during the mission.
Many tasks await the new crew to complete, including conducting space science and application tests, performing extravehicular activities, installing protective devices against space debris, and installing and recycling extravehicular payloads and equipment. They will also engage in science education, public welfare activities, and other payload tests.
The Shenzhou-19 astronauts are scheduled to return to the Dongfeng landing site in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region in late April or early May next year, according to the agency.
China's first female flight engineer proud to embark on Shenzhou-19 mission
China's first female flight engineer proud to embark on Shenzhou-19 mission
