Beijing: The China Manned Space Administration announced at a press conference Saturday that a team of Chinese astronauts, consisting of Zhu Yangzhu, Zhang Zhiyuan, and Lai Ka-ying, will operate the manned spaceflight "Shenzhou-23," with Zhu Yangzhu serving as mission commander.
According to Thai News Agency, a spokesperson for the space agency revealed that the manned Shenzhou-23 spacecraft is scheduled to be launched into space this Sunday from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwestern China.
The three astronauts consist of a flight engineer, a pilot, and an operations systems specialist. Mr. Zhu previously participated in the Shenzhou-16 space mission. Mr. Zhang and Ms. Lai, from the country's third and fourth generation of astronauts respectively, will be undertaking their first space missions. Prior to their selection, Mr. Zhang served as an Air Force pilot, while Ms. Lai worked in the Hong Kong Police Force.