The manned spacecraft called the Shenzhou-10 will launch its fifth manned spacecraft from China on Tuesday with three astronauts on board.
The spacecraft will be launched at 5:38 p.m. local time on Tuesday. It will carry two men, Nie Haisheng, 48, and Zhang Xiaoguang, 47, as well as 33-year-old female astronaut Wang Yaping.
"The [astronauts] will travel in space for 15 days and go through two docking tests with the orbiting space lab module Tiangong-1, one automatic and the other manual," Wu Ping, China's manned space program spokeswoman, told reporters at a press conference at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center on Monday.
The astronauts will perform medical and technical tests, but the most exciting news is that Yaping will host a live-broadcast lecture to a group of students on the ground while in orbit, introducing weightless condition.
"Through this event, we hope to bring the space program closer to the young generation, improve their understanding and attract their interests in our work," Wu said. "The launch ground and all control systems are ready. Astronauts are in good and stable condition."
The Tiangong-1 space lab has reportedly been in orbit for about 620 days and is ready for the astronauts to use.
According to Space.com, there are four main objectives Chinese space officials want to accomplish with the Shenzhou-10 space trip:
To ferry a crew and materials between the ground and the Tiangong 1 module and test the performance of the Shenzhou human capsule and its docking system. To further test the crew's ability to fly, live and work in the Shenzhou-Tiangong spacecraft complex. To demonstrate the adaptability and efficiency of the crew in the space environment and broadcast a classroom lesson to Chinese students. To further test the coordination among different systems in the human spaceflight program.
China is making history with the 15-day mission using Shenzhou-10 as their longest space visit ever. Officials said that they are taking all the necessary precautions for the trip.
"So far we only conducted three automatic docking tests and a manual one. More tests are needed," Wu said. "We also need to further prove that our astronauts are fit for a longer stay in space and the orbiters are able to support their life and work."
