A second crew of three astronauts are heading for China's Tianhe space station module after the (succeed) launch of the Shenzhou – 13 mission Friday. Astronauts Zhai Zhigang, Wang Yaping and Ye Guangfu will be busy during their six months in orbit. They'll spend a lot of time (test) and validating(验证) technologies that will allow China to finish construction of the new space station, is called Tiangong ("Heavenly Palace"). That station will consist of three modules; the other two (expect) to launch toward the 54-foot-long (16.6meters) Tianhe next year. For example, the Shenzhou 13 crew will move the robotic Tianzhou 2 cargo(货物) spacecraft from one Tianhe docking(对接) port to using the module's robotic arm, Chinese officials said. Tianzhou 2 (arrive) at Tianhe in May, delivering supplies for the Shenzhou 12crew. Zhai, Wang and Ye will also conduct a variety of (experiment) onboard Tianhe, including work (design) to advance space medicine and scientists' understanding of microgravity physics. And researchers on the ground will keep close tabs(监视) on the trio's health, to learn more how long-duration spaceflight affects people (mental) and physically. The crew will also conduct two or three spacewalks during the Shenzhou 13 mission.
