SCIO briefing on China's Tiangong 2 and Shenzhou 11 manned space mission

: 0 Comment(s)Print E-mail China.org.cn, November 19, 2016

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Speakers:
Wang Zhaoyao, director of China's Manned Space Program Office, Gao Ming, director of the Technology and Engineering Center for Space Utilization, Yang Baohua, deputy manager of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, Li Jian, director of the Beijing Aerospace Control Center, Huang Weifen, deputy chief designer of the Chinese Astronaut Research and Training Center.

Chairperson:
Hu Kaihong, vice director-general of the Press Bureau, State Council Information Office

Date:
Nov.18, 2016

TVB:

In reading about in this space mission, I note the astronauts took some high school students' experiments into the space. I would like to know the results or primary outcome of these experiments. In the past, after astronauts returned to Earth, they would form a delegation to visit Hong Kong and Macao, so is there such a plan this time? If so, when will it happen? Thank you.

Wang Zhaoyao：

This Shenzhou 11 spaceflight mission carried the prize-winning works from three Hong Kong students who participated in the Space Science Experiment Design Competition, including space silkworm breeding, chemical reaction in a water membrane, and double pendulum movements. The three experiments achieved very good results. In the silkworm experiment, five of the six silkworms were able to create cocoons. The chemical reaction produced membrane. The double pendulum movement experiment also completed the filming of movement imagery. I have to say, due to the careful scientific planning design and full preparation, everything went very smoothly in regard to the experiments in orbit and we received the expected results. And those experiments received wide attention. After the module returns to Earth, the researchers will study the cocoons and membrane and they may have some new scientific discoveries.

As for when the astronauts of Shenzhou 11 will visit Hong Kong, I would say our compatriots from Hong Kong and Macao have always been caring and shown their support for the motherland's manned spacecraft cause. After the Shenzhou-5 manned spaceflight mission, we were invited by the local governments, and our engineering delegates visited Hong Kong and Macao multiple times. They were greeted with warm welcome not only from the Hong Kong and Macao governments, but also from all sectors of society. The astronauts of Shenzhou 11 just returned to Earth today. They have stayed in the space for a relatively long period this time, so they need time to recover. After they have got enough rest and fully recovered, we will arrange follow-up events. At present, we have no plan. Thank you.

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