China to unveil younger team of astronauts for Shenzhou 13 space mission

China is set to unveil a younger team of three astronauts for its Shenzhou 13 space mission, which is expected to take off in its northwest Gobi desert shortly after midnight on Saturday (Oct 16).

The mission, which is planned to last for six months, will be piloted by Zhai Zhigang, 55, Wang Yaping, 41, and Ye Guangfu, 41, who were the backup crew of the recently completed Shenzhou 12 mission, said a source familiar with the mission plan. Wang will become China’s first female astronaut to work in its new Tianhe core module of the Chinese space station.