In Space - April 26, 2024

Storyline:
The astronauts of the Shenzhou-18 manned spaceship met with their Shenzhou-17 colleagues after arriving at the Tiangong space station in the early hours of Friday (Beijing Time).

The Shenzhou-17 crew opened the hatch at 05:04 (Beijing Time). The three space station occupants greeted the new arrivals, and they took group pictures.

The newcomers expressed their excitement for the gathering and thanked the previous crew for their hard work over the past six months.

The Shenzhou-17 crew then warmly welcomed the new arrivals.

The space get-together of the two crews kicked off the fourth in-orbit crew rotation in China's space station.

According to the China Manned Space Agency, the six astronauts will live and work together for about five days to complete planned tasks and handover work.

The Shenzhou-18 manned spaceship, atop a Long March-2F carrier rocket, blasted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China Thursday (Beijing Time).

Shotlist:
In Space - April 26, 2024:
1. Shenzhou-18 astronauts entering space station from spaceship;
2. Split screens showing astronauts entering space station;
3. Six astronauts talking inside space station;
UPSOUND (Chinese) Ye Guangfu, commander, Shenzhou-18 spaceflight mission crew:
"Thank you very much to the Shenzhou-17 crew for welcoming us so warmly today. My heart is very warm and touched at this moment. I was here for six months, and it's really exciting to be back on our space station, back in our space home. You've been in orbit for six months and have done a great job. You have worked so hard to take good care of the space home. A big thumb-up to you."
UPSOUND (Chinese) Li Cong, crew member, Shenzhou-18 spaceflight mission:
"I see you are in much better shape than us, all looking whiter, which means that the environment of our space station is very nourishing. While on the ground, we were paying close attention to you, and repeatedly watched and learned from your wonderful extravehicular activity, especially the excellent completion of the first solar wing repair task, which set a good example for us. Please share more of your experience with us."
UPSOUND (Chinese) Li Guangsu, crew member, Shenzhou-18 spaceflight mission:
"How time flies. I still remember vividly the see-off ceremony half a year ago. In a few days, we will also see you off back to home on Earth. So we'll make the best of these few days together to learn more from you."
UPSOUND (Chinese) Tang Shengjie, member of Shenzhou-17 crew:
"Let's learn from each other. We've been expecting you for a long time. It's been half a year and I finally see my close friends face to face. We are a big family in the space, I am very happy, very excited. You are here, and our life in space is more splendid."
UPSOUND (Chinese) Jiang Xinlin, member of Shenzhou-17 crew:
"Commander Ye, when you were on the mission, it was still one cabin, right? Now our space home has become a mansion. Working and living facilities are complete, and all supplies are in good order. I can't wait to show you around."
UPSOUND (Chinese) Tang Hongbo, member of Shenzhou-17 crew:
"We'll have time to talk more in the next few days, so why don't we take a photo together to capture this unforgettable moment?"
4. Six astronauts extending good wishes in front of camera in Tianhe, cheering in chorus
UPSOUND (Chinese) Shenzhou-18, Shenzhou-17 astronauts:
"China's space station is always worth looking forward to."

[Restrictions : No access Chinese mainland]