Chinas Shenzhou 12 astronauts have sent out back stunning images gotten of little windows of the Tianhe spaceport station module in low Earth orbit.The 3 astronauts, the very first crewmembers to go to Tianhe, have actually been aboard the module since June 17. The team have completed two extravehicular activities (EVAs), or spacewalks, and carried out a series of experiments, however Chinas human spaceflight agency has only recently launched images taken by the astronauts.A very first batch of images taken by Tang Hongbo and released in August include views from area of the Gulf of Guinea, lights lighting up north Africa, the Ethiopian Highlands and Indian Ocean, in addition to Tangs sleeping quarters. Shenzhou 12 leader Nie Haisheng also sent back pictures of Beijing during the night and a section of the Pacific Ocean. Related: The newest news about Chinas area programShenzhou 12 astronaut Tang Hongbo photographed his sleeping quarters on Aug. 18, 2021. (Image credit: Tang Hangbo/China Manned Space Engineering Office)One image shows a curve of light above the Earth. This is created by light going through sodium atoms in the environment at around 50 miles to 65 miles (80 to 105 kilometers) above Earths surface area. Other images supply a first glimpse at the windows on Tianhe, in addition to a take a look at the solar panels that supply electrical power for the orbital center. The photo of Tangs sleeping quarters reveals the sleeping bags that keep the astronauts secure in microgravity while they doze. A second batch of images launched on Sept. 8 consist of pics snapped by astronaut Liu Boming. These include Lake Urmia in Iran, Chinas Kizilsu Kyrgyz Autonomous Prefecture, Lake Van in Turkey and the Armenian highlands, and a view of South Africa.A part of South Africa, photographed by Shenzhou 12 astronaut Tang Hango in late August 2021. (Image credit: Tang Hangbo/China Manned Space Engineering Office)Reports did not specify the devices used by the astronauts to capture the images. The Shenzhou 12 astronauts are preparing for a return to Earth sometime in mid-September. The crew will take part in adaptive exercises, clean EVA suits and perform a spacecraft radial rendezvous test before returning home, according to CGTN.The radial, or R-bar, rendezvous will see the Shenzhou 12 spacecraft technique Tianhe from a direction perpendicular to the Earth, instead of along the line of Tianhes flight course. Shenzhou 12 will also circumnavigate Tianhe as an additional test in preparation for Octobers Shenzhou 13 crewed mission.The Peruvian coast, photographed by Shenzhou 12 astronaut Tang Hango (Image credit: Tang Hangbo/China Manned Space Engineering Office)Shenzhou 12 is the 3rd of 11 planned missions to construct the three-module Tiangong area station. A Long March 7 rocket is currently being prepared to release the 4th mission, the Tianzhou 3 cargo spacecraft, in mid- to late September. Shenzhou 13, which has actually been readied in case of emergency situation, is arranged to release from Jiuquan to Tianhe in October with a second three-person crew.Follow us on Twitter @Spacedotcom and on Facebook.
Chinas Shenzhou 12 astronauts have actually sent out back sensational images taken out of small windows of the Tianhe space station module in low Earth orbit.The 3 astronauts, the first crewmembers to check out Tianhe, have been aboard the module given that June 17. The crew have actually finished two extravehicular activities (EVAs), or spacewalks, and brought out a variety of experiments, but Chinas human spaceflight agency has only recently launched images taken by the astronauts.A first batch of images taken by Tang Hongbo and released in August consist of views from area of the Gulf of Guinea, lights lighting up north Africa, the Ethiopian Highlands and Indian Ocean, as well as Tangs sleeping quarters. (Image credit: Tang Hangbo/China Manned Space Engineering Office)One image reveals a curve of light above the Earth.