# Shenzhou 15

> crewed spaceflight of the Shenzhou program of China

**Wikidata**: [Q110155911](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q110155911)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shenzhou_15)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/shenzhou-15

## Summary
Shenzhou 15 was a crewed spaceflight operated by the China National Space Administration as part of the Shenzhou program. Launched on November 29, 2022, the mission transported three crew members—Fei Junlong, Deng Qingming, and Zhang Lu—to the Tiangong space station. It marked the final mission of the Tiangong station's construction phase and was succeeded by Shenzhou 16.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date:** November 29, 2022, at 15:08:17 UTC.
- **Crew:** Fei Junlong (Commander), Deng Qingming, and Zhang Lu.
- **Destination:** Tiangong space station (specifically the Tianhe core module).
- **Launch Vehicle:** Long March 2F (serial number Y15).
- **Landing Date:** Scheduled in 2023.
- **Operator:** China National Space Administration.
- **Manufacturer:** China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation.
- **Mission IDs:** COSPAR ID 2022-162A; NSSDCA ID 2022-162A.
- **Spacecraft Type:** Shenzhou class (vehicle number 15).
- **Significant Events:** Launch from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center; Docking at the forward port of the Tianhe module on November 29, 2022, at 21:42.

## FAQs
### Q: Who were the crew members of Shenzhou 15?
A: The crew consisted of Fei Junlong, who served as the spacecraft commander, along with crew members Deng Qingming and Zhang Lu.

### Q: When did Shenzhou 15 launch and dock with the space station?
A: The spacecraft launched on November 29, 2022, at 15:08:17. It successfully docked with the forward port of the Tianhe core module at the Tiangong space station later that same day at 21:42.

### Q: What launch vehicle was used for the Shenzhou 15 mission?
A: The mission was launched using a Long March 2F rocket, specifically the Y15 variant, lifting off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center.

## Why It Matters
Shenzhou 15 represents a critical milestone in the China Manned Space Program. As a crewed mission to the Tiangong space station, it facilitated the first in-orbit crew rotation in the history of the Chinese space program, overlapping briefly with the Shenzhou 14 crew before they returned to Earth. This mission effectively marked the transition from the construction phase to the application and development phase of the Tiangong space station. By transporting Fei Junlong, Deng Qingming, and Zhang Lu to the orbital outpost, the mission demonstrated the reliability of the Shenzhou spacecraft and the Long March 2F launch vehicle in maintaining a permanent human presence in low Earth orbit.

## Notable For
- **Crew Rotation:** It was part of the operational crew rotation sequence, following Shenzhou 14 and preceding Shenzhou 16.
- **Specific Docking:** The spacecraft executed a precise docking maneuver at the forward port of the Tianhe core module.
- **Launch Precision:** The mission launched via the Long March 2F Y15 rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center.
- **Program Context:** It is identified as a distinct instance of a human spaceflight and space mission within the Shenzhou program.

## Body

### Mission Profile
Shenzhou 15 was a human spaceflight mission launched on November 29, 2022. The spacecraft lifted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center at 15:08:17 UTC aboard a Long March 2F (Y15) launch vehicle. The mission's primary objective was to transport three astronauts to the low Earth orbit Tiangong space station. Upon reaching orbit, the spacecraft successfully docked with the forward port of the Tianhe core module on the same day at 21:42.

### Crew and Personnel
The mission carried a crew of three taikonauts:
*   **Fei Junlong:** Served as the spacecraft commander.
*   **Deng Qingming:** Mission specialist.
*   **Zhang Lu:** Mission specialist.

### Technical Specifications
The vessel utilized was the Shenzhou spacecraft, specifically the 15th unit in the series. It was manufactured by the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation and operated by the China National Space Administration. The spacecraft was assigned the international designator COSPAR ID 2022-162A.

### Operational Context
Shenzhou 15 functioned as a satellite of the Earth in low Earth orbit. It was an integral component of the Tiangong space station infrastructure. The mission followed Shenzhou 14 and was succeeded by Shenzhou 16, maintaining the continuous chain of operations for the China Manned Space Program.

## Schema Markup
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## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report