Shenzhou-12 (SZ-12)

Launch, orbit & landing data: Designation  48852 / 21053A Launch date - time  17 June 2021 - 01:22:31 UTC Launch site  Jiuquan, LC-43/91 Launch vehicle  CZ-2F/G (Y12) Shenzhou designation   nr Mass (kg)  8082 kg Docking date - time  17 June 2021 - 07:54 UTC Target spacecraft/port  Tiangong/Tianhe forward Low Earth orbit:    - Perigee / Apogee  330 x 340 km    - Inclination  41.5°    - Period   min EVA duration   Undocking date - time  16 Sep 2021 - 00:56 UTC Time docked  90d, 17h, 2min Deorbit burn date - time  17 Sep 2021 - 04:48 UTC Landing date - time  17 Sep 2021 - 05:34:10 UTC Landing location  100°04′28E 41°37′43N (Inner Mo,golia) Flight Duration (d:hr:min)  92d, 4h, 11m Nbr orbits   Landing crew  launch crew

Launched Crew

Shenzhou-12 crew.

Backup Crew

Mission Report:

• CSS Expedition 1.
• The flight launched from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center on 17 June 2021 at 01:22 UTC, following the launch of the Tianzhou 2 cargo spacecraft. Just over 6.5 hours after launch, the spacecraft docked with the Tianhe core module's forward docking port. The crew entered the station later that same day at 10:48 UTC, becoming the first crew to visit Tiangong.
• During the mission, the Shenzhou 13 spacecraft remained on standby to serve as an emergency rescue vehicle.
• The Shenzhou 12 crew activated the station, carried out two spacewalks, and verified key technologies such as robotic arm operation, resource recycling, and long-term life support during the three-month mission.
  
  

  Shenzhou 12 rollout.

  Shenzhou 12 launch

  
  Spacewalks:
• On 4 July 2021, the first of two scheduled spacewalks was carried out by Liu Boming and Tang Hongbo. The taikonauts tested an updated version of the Feitian space suit, completed installation of the station's robotic arm, and installed exterior equipment for use on future missions, including a camera lifting bracket. This marked the second ever Chinese spacewalk, after Zhai Zhigang's spacewalk nearly 13 years prior on Shenzhou 7. The spacewalk lasted for 6 hours and 46 minutes.
• On 20 August 2021, Nie Haisheng and Liu Boming carried out the second scheduled spacewalk of the mission. The two tested spacecraft equipment, installed a backup thermal control pump, and installed and raised panoramic camera D on the Tianhe core module. The spacewalk lasted for 5 hours and 55 minutes.
  
  

  Shenzhou 12 recovery.

  Shenzhou 12 crew after landing

  
  Rendezvous test & return to Earth:
• Shenzhou 12, with Nie Haisheng, Liu Boming and Tang Honbo aboard, undocked from the Tianhe module forward docking port on 16 September 2021 at 00:56 UTC. Following undocking, they backed off to 2 km and then performed a re-rendezvous test, stationkeeping 20 metres from Tianhe′s nadir docking port. At 0538 UTC they again departed the vicinity of Tianhe. This procedures which would be utilized on the following mission, Shenzhou 13. After a successful test, Shenzhou 12 departed the station and returned to Earth on 17 September 2021.
• The orbital module was jettisoned at about 0445 UTC Sep 17, followed by a deorbit burn at 0448 UTC, and landing at 100 04 28E 41 37 43N near the Jiuquan space centre at about 0534:10 UTC.

External links:

• Spaceflight Now: 210616-Launch information
• CNN: 210616-Launch information
• Wikipedia: Descriptions
• Spacefacts: Satellite description
• Skyrocket: Satellite description

Astrophilately covers:

Launch cancel. Credit: #411a

Docking cancel. Credit: #411a