Shenzhou 16 was successfully launched! Pu Pu takes you to imagine the astronauts' departure from a first-person perspective

Long March 2F rocket takes off (Photo source: China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation)

On May 30, 2023, the first manned launch mission of China's space station application and development phase was a complete success. At 9:31, the Long March 2F carrier rocket, known as the "magic arrow", lifted the Shenzhou 16 manned spacecraft into the sky. Under the escort of the "magic arrow" and "Shenzhou", three Chinese astronauts, Jing Haipeng, Zhu Yangzhu and Gui Haichao, successfully entered space and started a 5-month journey to survey the sky. This is the first flight mission of my country's third batch of astronauts, and it is also the "first show" of the "new members" of my country's astronaut team - space flight engineers and payload experts.

As China's space station officially enters the application and development stage, my country will launch two manned spacecraft every year, sending a total of six astronauts to space to perform flight missions. Flying into space is about to become a "fixed program" twice a year in my country, but it is still a high threshold for most people. If given the opportunity, who wouldn't want to fly into space and take a look? In this article, let Pupu help you realize a small dream, and start your journey to space from the perspective of an astronaut!

Are you ready?

So, let’s begin!

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Fall asleep about 13 hours before launch

At the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, you and the other crew members return to the astronaut dormitory and prepare to sleep for about 8 hours. Although sleeping is a very common thing, you must complete this sleep before the mission on time. After all, according to the mission arrangement, the next sleep is scheduled for 15 hours later.

Original image source/"Gobi Sky Harbor"

Lying in bed, you recall your yearning for spaceflight when you were young. If you were in that situation, you would be too excited to fall asleep because of the upcoming launch mission. But now, you won't. You have gone through hundreds of training and drills on the ground and in the sky, and you know every operation and every action by heart. For tomorrow's mission, although it is your first space flight, you are not very nervous, but more looking forward to it, mixed with some excitement about testing the results of your training.

Then, you fell asleep quickly...

Preparation about 5 hours before launch

Following the alarm clock, you wake up from your sleep, get up, tidy up your room, and do physiological tests before the flight. Everything seems to be exactly the same as usual, but it is completely different.

This physiological test is very comprehensive and crucial. It is the last comprehensive confirmation before the flight that you and other crew members are in good physical condition. Although, if you or other crew members show abnormal results in this test, the entire crew will face the possibility of being replaced by the reserve team, but you know that this is also responsible for your life and the entire mission. Thinking of this, the little bit of uneasiness in my heart also dissipated without a trace.

After that, it is the first meal after getting up. In order to keep your body in a good physical condition as much as possible, the staff carefully prepared food that is not easy to irritate the stomach. Looking at the variety of dishes, you can't help but order dumplings.

The hot dumplings reminded you of your mother. Whenever you were leaving home, your last meal was always dumplings made by your mother. Today, she must have been watching TV early to see you off. You said silently in your heart, Mom, I'm finally going to heaven! Be happy for me, my dream is finally coming true!

Original image source/Pixabay

After dinner, you and your crew members prepare to leave the apartment. As usual, you write your names and today's date on the door of the dormitory you have stayed in, freezing this precious moment forever. As you sign, the sense of reality that you are about to carry out the mission seems to be even stronger in your heart.

Walking on the road, you recall the scene when you were young, watching on TV, when astronaut Yang Liwei left his name on the door of his dormitory during China's first manned flight. Since then, you have had a deeper yearning for space.

About 2 hours and 30 minutes before launch

You and the crew members came to the isolation hall through a special passage. Here, the media reporters have been looking forward to it. As soon as you appeared, flashes and shutter sounds began to sound one after another. Then, the leaders, the commanders-in-chief of each system, and the chief designer said a brief farewell to you, encouraging, exhorting, and blessing you. You feel that the responsibility is heavy, but you are also full of confidence and look forward to the upcoming life in space.

Original image source/Xinhuanet

Five minutes later, you and your crew members walked through the special passage and arrived at the departure square outside the Wentian Pavilion. Your departure ceremony officially began. As you appeared, cheers immediately rang out in the square. You started forward and waved to the crowd. The children were full of admiration, the adults were excited, and everyone held flowers and national flags in their hands, singing "Ode to the Motherland" in unison. At this moment, a warm current surged into your heart. Trust, respect, love, countless enthusiasm rushed to your face, you smiled, and your mood became excited.

You and your crew members came to the microphone, and the square began to quiet down. You all saluted the commander-in-chief, and the commander-in-chief saluted back, and there was complete silence all around.

Original image source/Xinhuanet

Then, the commander reported to the commander-in-chief on the preparations before the expedition: "Comrade Commander-in-chief, we have been ordered to carry out the Shenzhou Changxiang manned space flight mission. We are ready. Please give us your instructions! Ke Xiaoming, an astronaut of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Astronaut Corps."

"Astronaut Pu Xiaohong."

"Astronaut (please enter your name)."

Commander-in-Chief: “Let’s go!”

You: “Yes!”

After saluting the commander-in-chief again, you boarded the special car with your mission and responsibility, and walked away escorted by mounted police officers on motorcycles as the cheerful songs rang out again.

Original image source/CCTV News

Climb the tower about 2 hours and 15 minutes before launch

The launch tower stands quietly, and the Long March 2F carrier rocket and the Shenzhou Changxiang manned spacecraft have been waiting for a long time. You and the crew get off the vehicle one by one and come to the leaders who have lined up here.

On behalf of all the astronauts on the crew, the commander expressed his determination to the leader who was seeing him off: "Please rest assured, we will resolutely complete the flight mission of Shenzhou Changxiang. Salute!"

Leader: "We are waiting for your triumphant return in Beijing. We wish you all the best!"

You: “Thank you, Chief!”

Then, you took the elevator to the ninth floor of the launch tower, where the Shenzhou manned spacecraft's entrance is located. Since you were wearing a bulky space suit, you were led by the staff to sit on a chair to prepare. The staff came forward to help you change the outer protective boots for antibacterial and dustproof, and put on the space suit gloves on the lower part of your legs. Soon, it was time to enter the cabin.

Original image source/CCTV News

Enter the cabin about 2 hours and 5 minutes before launch

You started to enter the cabin. You stood up from your seat first, and with the help of two spacecraft system staff, you entered the orbital module of the spacecraft on your back. In the orbital module, another staff member supported you and gently sent you to the return module below, where you sat on the left hand. Then Pu Xiaohong entered the cabin and sat on the right hand. You observed and confirmed the status of the return module together.

Original image source/CCTV News

Finally, Commander Ke Xiaoming entered the cabin. He first entered the orbital module, carefully checked the status of the orbital module against the documents, confirmed and signed, then entered the return module and sat in the middle seat. Looking at the commander's relaxed expression, you and Pu Xiaohong smiled knowingly.

In a relaxed atmosphere, you began to tidy up your clothes - connecting the circuit interface and gas interface on the space suit in the cabin with the circuit interface and gas interface on the seat of the return capsule. Soon, the spacecraft began to distribute electricity and gas to the space suit in the cabin, and the heat generated by the cabin entry action was quickly calmed down. Afterwards, you and the crew members put on the restraints to make your body more stable in the seat. Listening to the instructions from the ground staff in the headphones, you skillfully carried out various preparations. Although those movements were very complicated, you were able to do it in a neat and calm manner, and you looked so confident and familiar that everyone who saw your movements was convinced.

"Attention everyone, prepare in one hour."

You and your crew members are quietly waiting in the return capsule. On the ground personnel's monitoring screen, your electrocardiograms are stable and in good condition. The commander fixes the joystick and resets the spacecraft instruments, and you monitor the status of the spacecraft together.

"Attention everyone, you have thirty minutes to get ready.

“Fifteen minutes to prepare.

"Five minutes to prepare."

…

Time passed quickly and the moment of launch was approaching.

"Attention everyone, one minute to get ready. 40 seconds, 30 seconds, 20 seconds.

"10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, ignition! Take off!"

A huge push came from under the seat, and we set off! You said silently in your heart:

"Starry sea, here I come!"