News

Shenzhou XIII space mission to begin on Saturday

Published

3 years ago

14/10/2021

MNN

By ZHAO LEI in Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center

China plans to launch the Shenzhou XIII manned spacecraft early on Saturday morning, carrying three astronauts who will stay inside the country’s Tiangong space station for six months, one of the lead officials in the country’s manned space program said.

Lin Xiqiang, deputy director of the China Manned Space Agency, said at a news conference on Thursday afternoon at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwestern China that the mission will also feature the first spacewalk by a Chinese woman.

It is expected to become the longest space journey by Chinese astronauts, doubling the time of their peers in the Shenzhou XII mission.

The Shenzhou XIII spacecraft is scheduled to be launched at 12:23 am Saturday by a Long March 2F carrier rocket at the Jiuquan center, Lin said. It will transport Major General Zhai Zhigang, the mission commander, Senior Colonel Wang Yaping and Senior Colonel Ye Guangfu to Tiangong’s core module Tianhe, or Harmony of Heavens.

Wang is China’s second female astronaut to participate in a spaceflight and was a member of the Shenzhou X mission in June 2013. She will become the first Chinese woman to enter the Tiangong space station and conduct a spacewalk, Lin said.

Zhai is the country’s first astronaut to take a spacewalk, having done so when he was mission commander during the Shenzhou VII mission in September 2008. Ye will be making his first journey to space on Saturday.

Lin said the Shenzhou XIII crew is tasked with a wide range of tasks, including performing two to three spacewalks to install a small robotic arm onto a larger one; verifying key procedures and technologies such as the manual control of the robotic arms and the robotic arm-assisted movement of station modules; checking the performance and capability of devices inside the station; and testing support instruments for astronauts’ lives and work during long-term flights.

He added that they will conduct scientific experiments and technology demonstrations in space medicine, microgravity physics and other fields.

Liquid propellants have started to be injected into the rocket that will carry the astronauts to space, according to Lin.

Shenzhou XIII will be the fourth spacecraft to visit China’s permanent space station — named Tiangong, or Heavenly Palace — and the second crewed ship to transport astronauts to the orbiting outpost.

The first astronauts inside Tiangong — Major General Nie Haisheng, Major General Liu Boming and Senior Colonel Tang Hongbo — finished their 92-day Shenzhou XII mission in mid-September.

They flew 90 days with Tiangong and made two spacewalks to use a large robotic arm and other equipment to install and adjust devices outside the station. They also performed a number of scientific experiments and technological tests and made video calls with President Xi Jinping and hundreds of researchers, teachers and students in Hong Kong.

One of China’s most challenging and sophisticated space endeavors, Tiangong will consist of three main components — a core module attached to two space labs, with a combined weight of nearly 70 metric tons. The entire station is expected to operate for about 15 years in a low-Earth orbit, about 400 kilometers above the planet.

The station’s core module Tianhe was lifted by a Long March 5B heavy-lift rocket at the Wenchang Space Launch Center in Hainan province in late April.

The craft is now connected with the Tianzhou 2 unmanned cargo ship that was launched from the Wenchang facility in late May, and the Tianzhou 3, another unmanned cargo ship that was lifted from Wenchang last month.

The biggest and heaviest spacecraft China has ever constructed, Tianhe is 16.6 meters long and has a diameter of 4.2 meters. The craft’s weight, at 22.5 tons, is equal to the combined weight of 15 standard-size automobiles. It has three parts: a connecting section, a life-support and control section, and a resources section.

In 2022, two large space labs will be launched to connect with the core module. Moreover, two manned missions and two robotic cargo flights will be made that year to continue construction of the Tiangong station, which is scheduled to become complete and start formal operation around the end of 2022.

Upon its completion, Tiangong will be manned regularly by groups of three astronauts in periods lasting several months. During handovers to new three-astronaut groups, the station will accommodate up to six astronauts.

www.chinadaily.com.cn

News

Modern innovations bring solutions to environmental issues: Minister Shiyam

Published

32 mins ago

25/04/2024

Minister of Fisheries and Ocean Resources Ahmed Shiyam has highlighted the transformative potential of today’s innovations in addressing climate challenges through modern technology, stressing the importance of collaborative efforts in seeking sustainable solutions

Minister Shiyam made the remarks during the inauguration of the Space for Island Nation Conference (SINC 2024), hosted by the Maldives Space Research Organisation. The conference’s focal point this year revolves around bolstering marine security through scientific endeavors.

Speaking at the conference, Minister Shiyam underscored the intertwined relationship between environmental preservation and governmental policies. He emphasised the indispensable role of oceans in people’s lives and cautioned against neglecting environmental concerns. Highlighting the pressing issues of climate change, rising sea levels, and coral bleaching impacting the Maldives, he expressed optimism in leveraging modern technology and innovative approaches to tackle these challenges.

Additionally, Minister Shiyam advocated for harnessing the power of science and technology to drive sustainable transformations. He emphasised the importance of accurately identifying the root causes of environmental issues and implementing monitoring mechanisms to effect positive change. He also underscored the significance of such efforts not only for the Maldives but also for the global safeguarding of oceanic ecosystems.

Furthermore, Minister Shiyam commended President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s dedication to advancing research initiatives and seeking sustainable solutions. He highlighted the pivotal role of space research in gathering crucial data about oceans and the environment, including information on sea temperature, sea level rise, and marine ecosystems. In addition, he emphasised the role of spatial data in enforcing fisheries policies, such as detecting illegal border crossings and unauthorised fishing activities. He, however, stressed that while technological advancements are crucial, collective action is imperative to effectively address shared challenges.

The SINC 2024 conference was attended by 18 researchers from the Maldives and renowned international organisations specialising in space exploration. The conference was held at Crossroads Maldives over three days, and facilitated discussions and knowledge exchange on space science and oceanic exploration. In addition, attendees had the opportunity to visit an island within the country’s atolls, further enhancing insights into marine ecosystems and their significance.

Source(s): PsmNews

News

Air Service World Congress 2024 to be held in Kurumbaa Maldives

Published

4 hours ago

25/04/2024

The Air Service World Congress serves as a significant platform for international representatives from the route development community to discuss the future of global air service growth and development. The annual forum is scheduled to be held from July 9 to July 11 in Kurumbaa Maldives.

Speaking regarding the event to PSM News, Corporate Communication Manager of Maldives Airport Company Limited (MACL), Shamaan Shakir disclosed that efforts are underway to register airports and airlines, market the congress and ensure maximum number of airports and airlines participate in the forum. Shamaan additionally revealed that decisions have been made such that Velana International Airport (VIA) is set to be the official host of the Air Service World Congress 2024, marking the first time the Maldives welcomes this significant global event.

With 55 airlines attending, the prestigious event will feature insightful industry discussions, individual meetings, and ample networking opportunities. Several discussions are to take place during the event as this forum will serve to connect airlines and airports.

Moreover, Shamaan stated that this presents a unique prospect for VIA to showcase its advancements and establish alliances with prominent airlines. He further emphasised that the congress will assist to acquiring additional airlines to operate flights within other international airports within the nation. Hence, he expressed confidence that the opportunity of hosting the global event will benefit all the airports operating in the country.

VIA was announced as the official host of the event, following the successful conclusion of the Air Service World Congress 2023 in Oakland, San Francisco Bay Area.

Source(s): PsmNews

News

First SEZ approval for floating solar project

Published

4 hours ago

25/04/2024

The first permission under the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) Act, has been extended to establish a floating solar system in the Greater Male’ region.

The project was greenlit at the third meeting of the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade’s Board of Investment, held on Wednesday.

Ministry of Economic Development and Trade reported it had extended the project approval to Canada’s Abraxas Power Corp, which it is set to run in partnership with Sungrow Power Supply Co Limited.

Under the project, a 150-megawatt floating photovoltaic (PV) power plant and supporting infrastructure would be established, while additional fund injection would required to connect the project to the main electrical grid in the Greater Male’ region.

The initiative is aligned with President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s vision of expanding renewable energy share in the national power supply network to 33% by 2028.

While the renewable plan will pave way towards expanding the alternative utility footprint in the Maldives, President Muizzu announced receipt of a large-scale proposal under the SEZ on December 24th, 2023 – days after the government decided to reduce the lowest project value for an SEZ initiative.

Earlier on December 17 last year, President Muizzu reduced the lowest project value of an SEZ projects to USD 100 million, which previously stood at USD 150 million.

The SEZ Act was first introduced in 2015 under which special economic zones focused towards developing various economic initiatives were set.

President Muizzu pledged to inroduce special economic zones across the Maldives and open up foreign investment prospects.

Source(s): sun.mv