[Concurrent] Zhou Jianping, member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and Chief Designer of China's Manned Space Project
The China Space Station will be built into a national-level space laboratory. Therefore, our space station will be engaged in space science research and new space technology research experiments in the future. I think (the space station) will be our most important facility in China.
[Commentary] Recently, Zhou Jianping, a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and the chief designer of China's manned space project, made the above remarks in an exclusive interview with a reporter from China News Agency.
Prior to this, the China Manned Space Engineering Office announced that China's manned space project has been fully transferred to the orbit construction mission stage of the space station.
The crew of astronauts to perform the 4 manned flights during the construction phase of the space station has been selected, and mission training is being carried out.
[Concurrent] Zhou Jianping, member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and Chief Designer of China's Manned Space Project
During the key technology verification and construction phase of the space station, we will arrange the flight of 4 manned spacecraft. Each flight will have a crew, and each crew will be three astronauts. They will perform the space station technology verification and construction at this stage. As well as the task of scientific experiment, the stay time of the crew is based on the task arrangement, and the long (period) in (orbit) will reach 6 months.
[Explanation] Zhou Jianping introduced that the missions during the construction period of the Chinese space station will be carried out by astronauts selected from the first and second batches.
According to the mission arrangement, the space station will be completed in orbit around 2022, and a stable operation of the National Space Laboratory will be completed in orbit.
Among them, astronauts will play an important role in scientific experiments on the space station.
[Concurrent] Zhou Jianping, member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and Chief Designer of China's Manned Space Project
(Astronauts) Continue to upgrade the technology of our space station in the future, including scientific experiment equipment, equipment and facilities upgrades, and when engaged in scientific experiments and technical experiments, continuous improvement, adjustment, and improvement of test methods will help (astronauts). Great effect.
[Explanation] It is reported that this year and next two years, China will complete the construction of the Chinese space station through 11 launches.
Zhou Jianping said that, unlike the International Space Station, the research and development of the China Space Station, including the scientific facilities onboard the space station, make full use of contemporary advanced technology.
[Concurrent] Zhou Jianping, member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and Chief Designer of China's Manned Space Project
In line with the goal of building a national-level space laboratory, we are also using the current advanced technology to adapt to the research needs of contemporary cutting-edge science and technology in the development of general scientific facilities and experimental facilities.
So I believe that we can provide scientists with a good experimental conditions, scenarios and capabilities.
[Explanation] Zhou Jianping said that China’s manned space industry adheres to the tenet of serving mankind and serving the development of science. Scientists from all countries around the world are welcome to participate in the scientific experiment projects of the Chinese space station.
[Concurrent] Zhou Jianping, member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and Chief Designer of China's Manned Space Project
We welcome foreign scientists to participate in the scientific research work of our space station. We have also promoted the implementation of the first batch of (technical) experimental projects with the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs. We have also cooperated with research institutions in space science or aerospace science and technology in many countries or regions. Agreement on cooperation in this area.
[Explanation] Currently, the space station's Tianhe core module and the Long March 5B Yao-2 carrier rocket, which undertakes the launch mission, have arrived at the Wenchang Space Launch Site and are scheduled to be launched in the first half of this year.
Reporting from Beijing by reporter Xu Pengpeng and Wang Chao
Editor in charge: [Ji Xiang]