Full coverage: China Tiangong-2 Space Lab Launch
China's Shenzhou-11 spacecraft, which is carrying two astronauts, has docked with the Tiangong-2 space lab.
Photo taken on Oct. 19, 2016 shows the screen at the Beijing Aerospace Control Center showing astronauts Jing Haipeng (R) and Chen Dong celebrating on the success of the automated docking between Shenzhou-11 manned spacecraft and the space lab Tiangong-2. The Shenzhou-11 manned spacecraft successfully completed its automated docking with the orbiting Tiangong-2 space lab Wednesday morning, according to Beijing Aerospace Control Center. (Xinhua/Ju Zhenhua)
Shenzhou-11 reached the space lab after two days. The spacecraft adjusted its position four times at differences from Tiangong-2.
These adjustments were done at 5 kilometers, 400 meters, 120 meters and 30 meters. Shenzhou-11 needed to cut its speed to 0-point-2 meters per second to dock with the lab successfully.
To us here on earth, Shenzhou-11 and Tiangong-2 were travelling at 7-point-9 kilometers per second when the rendezvous happened.
Photo taken on Oct. 19, 2016 shows the screen at the Beijing Aerospace Control Center showing a simulated picture of an automated docking between the Shenzhou-11 manned spacecraft and the orbiting space lab Tiangong-2. The Shenzhou-11 manned spacecraft successfully completed its automated docking with the orbiting Tiangong-2 space lab Wednesday morning, according to Beijing Aerospace Control Center. (Xinhua/Ju Zhenhua)