Station statistics | |
---|---|
Crew | Fully crewed: 3–6[1] Currently aboard: 3 Expedition: 3 Commander: Chen Dong |
Launch | 29 April 2021 (Tianhe) 24 July 2022 (Wentian) 31 October 2022 (Mengtian) December 2023 (Xuntian) |
Launch pad | Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site LC-1 |
Mission status | Under construction |
Mass | 100,000 kg (upon completion) |
Length | ~ 55.0 m |
Diameter | ~ 34.0 m |
Pressurised volume | Habitable: 110 m3 (3,880 cu ft) (planned) |
Periapsis altitude | 381.5 km[2] |
Apoapsis altitude | 385.2 km[2] |
Orbital inclination | 41.47°[2] |
Typical orbit altitude | 383.4 km[2] |
Orbital speed | 7.68 km/s[2] |
Orbital period | 92.2 minutes[3] |
Days in orbit | 543 days, 23 hours, 2 minutes (25 October 2022) |
Days occupied | 413 days, 8 hours and 41 minutes (25 October 2022) |
Statistics as of 1 October 2022 |
Tiangong (Chinese: 天宮; pinyin: Tiāngōng; lit. 'Palace in the Sky'),[4][5] officially the Tiangong space station[6] (Chinese: 天宫空间站; pinyin: Tiāngōng kōngjiānzhàn), is a space station being constructed by China and operated by China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) in low Earth orbit between 340 and 450 km (210 and 280 mi) above the surface. Being China's first long-term space station and the core of the "Third Step" of the China Manned Space Program, once completed, Tiangong will have a mass between 90 and 100 t (200,000 and 220,000 lb), roughly one-fifth the mass of the International Space Station and about the size of the decommissioned Russian Mir space station.
The construction of the station is based on the experience gained from its precursors, Tiangong-1 and Tiangong-2.[7][8][9] The first module, the Tianhe ("Harmony of the Heavens") core module, was launched on 29 April 2021,[4][5] followed by multiple crewed and uncrewed missions and two more major modules to be launched in 2022.[7] Chinese leaders have expressed the hope that the research conducted on the station will improve researchers' ability to conduct science experiments in space beyond the duration and capacity offered by China's existing space laboratories.[10]
Nomenclature
It has been attributed to former paramount leader Deng Xiaoping for the decision[citation needed] that the names used in the space program, previously all chosen from the revolutionary history of the People's Republic, would be replaced with mystical-religious ones. Thus, the new Long March launch vehicles were renamed Divine Arrow (神箭),[11][12] space capsule Divine Vessel (神舟),[13] spaceplane Divine Dragon (神龙),[14] land-based high-power laser Divine Light (神光),[15] and supercomputer Divine Might (神威).[16]
These poetic[17] names continue as the first, second, third, fourth, fifth and future Chinese Lunar probes are called Chang'e after the Moon goddess. The name "Tiangong" means "heavenly palace". Across China, the launch of Tiangong-1 was reported to have inspired a variety of feelings, including love poetry. The rendezvous of the space vehicles has been compared to the reunion of the cowherd and the weaver girl.[18]
Wang Wenbao, director of the CMSA, told a news conference in 2011: "Considering past achievements and the bright future, we feel the manned space programme should have a more vivid symbol, and that the future space station should carry a resounding and encouraging name. We now feel that the public should be involved in the names and symbols, as this major project will enhance national prestige and strengthen the national sense of cohesion and pride".[17][19][20]
On 31 October 2013, CMSA announced the new names for the whole space station program:[8]
- The precursor space labs would be called Tiangong (simplified Chinese: 天宫; traditional Chinese: 天宮; pinyin: Tiān Gōng; lit. 'Heavenly Palace'), code TG. Tiangong-1 and Tiangong-2 were launched respectively in 2011 and 2016.
- The large modular space station would be called Tiangong as well, without number.[6]
- The cargo transport spacecraft would be called Tianzhou (Chinese: 天舟; pinyin: Tiān Zhōu; lit. 'Heavenly Ship'), code TZ. The first Tianzhou mission successfully launched and deorbited in 2017. The first mission to the space station, Tianzhou 2, flew on 29 May 2021. Subsequently, Tianzhou 3 and Tianzhou 4 were launched respectively on 20 September 2021 and 9 May 2022.
- The Modular Space Station Core Module would be called Tianhe (Chinese: 天和; pinyin: Tiān Hé; lit. 'Harmony of the Heavens'), code TH.[21] Tianhe was successfully launched on 29 April 2021.[22][23][24]
- The Modular Space Station Experiment Module I would be called Wentian (simplified Chinese: 问天; traditional Chinese: 問天; pinyin: Wèn Tiān; lit. 'Quest for Heavens[25]'), code WT.[21] Wentian was successfully launched on 24 July 2022.[22][26]
- The Modular Space Station Experiment Module II would be called Mengtian (simplified Chinese: 梦天; traditional Chinese: 夢天; pinyin: Mèng Tiān; lit. 'Dreaming of Heavens[25]'), code MT.[21] Launch is planned for October 2022.[22]
- The separate space telescope module would be called Xuntian (Chinese: 巡天; pinyin: Xún Tiān; lit. 'Touring the Heavens'), code XT (telescope), receiving the previously intended name for the Experiment Module II. Launch is planned for December 2023.[27]
Purpose and mission
According to CMSA, which operates the space station, the purpose and mission of Tiangong is listed as: Further development of spacecraft rendezvous technology; Breakthrough in key technologies such as permanent human operations in orbit, long-term autonomous spaceflight of the space station, regenerative life support technology, and autonomous cargo and fuel supply technology; Test of next-generation orbit transportation vehicles; Scientific and practical applications at large-scale in orbit; Development of technology that can aid future deep space exploration.[28][29][30]
In addition, private sector commercial activities being encouraged, according to the designer of China's human spaceflight program: “When our space station is completed and running, we will actively encourage the private sector to engage in space through various ways.” “We hope there will be competitive, cost-efficient commercial space players to participate in areas including space applications and space resource development.”[31]
Operations will be controlled from the Beijing Aerospace Flight Control Center in China. To guarantee the safety of astronauts on board, a Long March 2F with a Shenzhou spacecraft will always be on standby for an emergency rescue mission.[32]
Scientific experiments
The space station will have 23 experimental racks with enclosed, pressurized environment. There will also be platforms for exposed experiments; 22 and 30 on the Wentian and Mengtian laboratory modules respectively.[33] Over 1,000 experiments are tentatively approved by CMSA.[34] The programmed experiment equipment for the three modules as of June 2016 are:[9]
- Space life sciences and biotechnology
- Ecology Science Experiment Rack (ESER)
- Biotechnology Experiment Rack (BER)
- Science Glove-box and Refrigerator Rack (SGRR)
- Microgravity fluid physics and combustion
- Fluids Physics Experiment Rack (FPER)
- Two-phase System Experiment Rack (TSER)
- Combustion Experiment Rack (CER)
- Material science in space
- Material Furnace Experiment Rack (MFER)
- Container-less Material Experiment Rack (CMER)
- Fundamental Physics in Microgravity
- Cold Atom Experiment Rack (CAER)
- High-precision Time-Frequency Rack (HTFR)
- Multipurpose Facilities
- High Micro-gravity Level Rack (HMGR)
- Varying-Gravity Experiment Rack (VGER)
- Modularized Experiment Rack (RACK)
Education and culture
The space station features space lectures and pop-science experiments to educate, motivate and inspire the younger Chinese generation and world audience in science and technology. Each lecture is concluded with a Question-and-Answer (Q&A) session with schoolchildren's questions from classrooms across China.[35] The first and second Tiangong space lesson was conducted in December 2021 and March 2022, as a part of the Shenzhou 13 mission.[36][37] This tradition continued with the Shenzhou 14.[38]
Structure
The space station will be a third-generation modular space station. First-generation space stations, such as early Salyut, Almaz, and Skylab, were single-piece stations and not designed for resupply. Second generation Salyut 6 and 7, and Tiangong 1 and 2 stations, are designed for mid-mission resupply. Third-generation stations, such as Mir and the International Space Station, are modular space stations, assembled in orbit from pieces launched separately. Modularized design methods can greatly improve reliability, reduce costs, shorten development cycles, and meet diversified task requirements.[7]
Wentian robotic arm | Solar array | Chinarm robotic arm | Solar array | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Solar array | Solar array | Docking port | Solar array | Solar array | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Wentian laboratory | Tianhe core module | Mengtian laboratory | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Solar array | EVA hatch | Docking port | Docking port | Solar array | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
EVA hatch | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Modules
The initial target configuration for the end of 2022 consists of three modules, which may be expanded to six in the future.[39]
The Tianhe Core Cabin Module (CCM) provides life support and living quarters for three crew members and provides guidance, navigation, and orientation control for the station. The module also provides the station's power, propulsion, and life support systems. The module consists of three sections: living quarters, a service section, and a docking hub. The living quarters will contain a kitchen and toilet, fire control equipment, atmospheric processing and control equipment, computers, scientific apparatus, communications equipment to send and receive communications via ground control in Beijing, and other equipment.
An ISS Canadian-style SSRMS robotic arm, dubbed "Chinarm" was folded under the Tianhe core module.[40] Additionally, the Wentian and Mengtian experiment modules (described below) will carry a similar smaller, 5 m (16 ft) long stowed SSRMS robotic arms that are more accurate in positioning than the Tianhe Arm. In 2018 full-scale mockup of CCM was publicly presented at China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition in Zhuhai.[41] The video from CMSA revealed that two of these core modules have been built. Artist impressions have also depicted the two core modules docked together to enlarge the overall station.
The first of two Laboratory Cabin Modules, Wentian, provides additional avionics, propulsion, and life support systems as backup functions for the CCM.[42] The Wentian is also fitted with an independent airlock cabin to serve as the main entry-exit point for extravehicular activities (EVA), replacing the Tianhe docking hub.[43] The module is equipped with multiple internal science racks and 22 payload adapters on the exterior for various types of experiments.[44] It was launched and docked with the Tianhe on 24 July 2022.[45]
The second LCM, Mengtian, is scheduled for launch in October 2022. The Mengtian module is equipped with expanded in-orbit experiment capacity. Both LCMs will provide a pressurized environment for researchers to conduct science experiments in freefall or microgravity which could not be conducted on Earth for more than a few minutes. Experiments can also be placed on the outside of the modules for exposure to the space environment, cosmic rays, vacuum, and solar winds.
The axial port of the LCMs will be fitted with rendezvous equipment and will first dock at the axial port of the CCM. A mechanical arm dubbed as the Indexing robotic arm, externally resembles the Lyappa arm used on the Mir space station, moves Wentian to the Starboard-side and Mengtian module to a portside port of the CCM.[46] It is different from Lyappa as the two arms are based on mechanisms. The Lyappa arm was needed to control the pitch of the spacecraft and redocking in a different plane. But the Indexing robot arm is used when docking is needed in the same plane. In addition to the Indexing robot arm, the Chinarm on the Tianhe module can also be used as a backup for docking relocation.[47][48]
Wentian was successfully relocated to the starboard port on 30 September 2022 at 04:44 UTC[49] by indexing robot arm.
Module | Launch time and International Designator | Launch vehicle | Docking date and position | Length | Diameter | Mass | Image |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tianhe core module | 29 April 2021 03:23:15 UTC
2021-035A |
Long March 5B (Y2) | (Core Module) | 16.6 m (54 ft) | 4.2 m (14 ft) | 22,600 kg (49,800 lb) | |
The Tianhe core module consists of three sections: the habitable living quarter, the non-habitable service section, and a docking hub.[50][51] | |||||||
Wentian module | 24 July 2022 06:22:32 UTC
2022-085A |
Long March 5B (Y3) | 24 July 2022 19:13 UTC[52] (Front docking) 30 September 2022 04:44 UTC[53] |
17.9 m (59 ft)[54] | 4.2 m (14 ft) | 23,200 kg (51,100 lb) | |
The initial lab module, which also serves as the backup platform of the core module with the capability of space station control and management. It has its own airlock that served as the main exit for future spacewalking and a second mechanical arm for the station.[51] | |||||||
Mengtian module | 31 October 2022[55] | Long March 5B (Y4) | November 2022 (Planned)
Front → Right of the Tianhe core module (Planned) |
17.9 m (59 ft)[54] | 4.2 m (14 ft) | ~20,000 kg (44,000 lb) | |
The second lab module. It has its own airlock for supplement and equipment transportation.[51] |
Systems
Power supply
Electrical power is provided by two steerable solar power arrays on each module, which use gallium arsenide photovoltaic cells to convert sunlight into electricity. Energy is stored to power the station when it passes into the Earth's shadow. Resupply spacecraft will replenish fuel for the station's propulsion engines for station keeping, to counter the effects of atmospheric drag. The solar arrays are designed to last up to 15 years.[56]
Docking
Tiangong is fitted with Chinese Docking Mechanism used by Shenzhou spacecraft and previous Tiangong prototypes. The Chinese docking mechanism is based on the Russian APAS-89/APAS-95 system. Despite NASA describing it as a "clone" to APAS,[57] there have been contradictory claims on the compatibility of the Chinese system with both current and future docking mechanisms on the ISS, which are also based on APAS.[58][59][60] It has a circular transfer passage that has a diameter of 800 mm (31 in).[61][62] The androgynous variant has a mass of 310 kg and the non-androgynous variant has a mass of 200 kg.[63]
Chinese Docking Mechanism was used for the first time on Shenzhou 8 and Tiangong 1 space station and will be used on future Chinese space stations and with future CMSA cargo resupply vehicles.[64][58]
Propulsion
Tiangong space station is fitted with conventional chemical propulsion and ion thrusters to adjust and maintain the station's orbit. Four Hall-effect thrusters are mounted on the hull of Tianhe core module.[65] The development of the Hall-effect thrusters is considered a sensitive topic in China, with scientists "working to improve the technology without attracting attention". Hall-effect thrusters are created with manned mission safety in mind with effort to prevent erosion and damage caused by the accelerated ion particles.[66]
A magnetic field and specially designed ceramic shield were created to repel damaging particles and maintain the integrity of the thrusters. According to a report by the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the ion drive used on Tiangong has burned continuously for 8,240 hours without a glitch during the testing phase, indicating its suitability for Tiangong's designated 15-year lifespan.[66] These are the world's first Hall thrusters to be used on a human-rated mission.[67][68]
Other associated modules
Spacecraft[a] | Launch time and International Designator | Launch vehicle | Operational date | Notes | Length | Diameter | Mass | Image |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Xuntian Space Station Telescope | December 2023 (Planned) | Long March 5B (Y5) (Planned) | 2024 (Planned) | Will share the same orbit and periodically dock with Tiangong | 14 m (46 ft)[69] | 4.5 m (15 ft) | 15,500 kg (34,200 lb)[69] | |
Planned Chinese space station telescope currently under development. It will feature a 2-meter (6.6 foot) diameter primary mirror and is expected to have a field of view 300–350 times larger than the Hubble Space Telescope. This will allow the telescope to image up to 40 percent of the sky using its 2.5 gigapixel camera over ten years. It will co-orbit with the space station in a slightly different orbital phase, which will allow for periodic docking with the station. |
Construction
Planning
In 2011, it was announced that the future space station was planned to be assembled from 2020 to 2022.[70] By 2013, the space station's core module was planned to be launched earlier, in 2018, followed by the first laboratory module in 2020, and a second in 2022.[71] By 2018, it was reported that this had slipped to 2020–2023.[23][72] In February 2020, a total of 11 launches were planned for the whole construction phase, beginning in 2021.[73][74] In 2021, it was reported China National Space Administration planned to complete the construction of the space station in 2022.[75]
Tiangong modules are self-contained and pre-assembled, in contrast to the US Orbital Segment of the ISS, which required spacewalking to interconnect cables, piping, and structural elements manually. The assembly method of the station can be compared with the Soviet-Russian Mir space station and the Russian orbital segment of the International Space Station, making China the second nation to develop and use automatic rendezvous and docking for modular space station construction. The technologies in the construction are derived from decades of Chinese manned spaceflight experiences, including those gained from Tiangong-1 and Tiangong-2 prototypes,[76] as well as the purchase of aerospace technology from Russia in the early 1990s.[77] A representative of the Chinese crewed space program stated that around 2000, China and Russia were engaged in technological exchanges regarding the development of a docking mechanism used for space stations.[78] Deputy Chief Designer, Huang Weifen, stated that near the end of 2009, China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) began to train astronauts on how to dock spacecraft.[79]
According to the plan, by the end of 2022, the fully assembled Tiangong space station will have three 20 metric-ton modules in T-shape.[80][81] With modular design, Tiangong space station can be expanded into six modules prospectively.[82]
Assembly
The construction of the Chinese Space Station officially began in April 2021. The planned 11 missions includes three module launches, four crewed missions, and four autonomous cargo flights.[83] On 29 April 2021, the first component of the station, Tianhe core module, was launched to the orbit aboard the Long March 5B rocket from Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site.[84] On 29 May 2021, Tianzhou 2 autonomous cargo spacecraft was launched to the Tianhe core module in preparation for the Shenzhou 12 crew, who will be responsible for testing Tianhe's various systems and preparing for future operations.[85] On 17 June 2021, Shenzhou 12 team docked with the space station, marking them the first visitors to the Tiangong station.[86] The first crew mission began the verification of key technologies in the station.[87] On 4 July 2021, Liu Boming and Tang Hongbo began their first spacewalk in upgraded Chinese Feitian spacesuits, outfitting the space stations with extravehicular activity (EVA) equipments, such as foot restraints and the standing platform for Chinarm. Shenzhou 12 commander Nie Haisheng stayed inside the station and tested the robotic arm movements.[88] Liu Boming and Nie Haisheng completed the second spacewalk on 20 August 2021, and installed various devices outside of the station, including a thermal control system, a panoramic camera, and other equipment.[89] On 16 September 2021, the Shenzhou 12 crew entered the returning spacecraft and undocked from Tianhe. Before leaving the orbit, the crew performed various radial rendezvous (R-Bar) maneuvers to circumnavigate around the space station. They tested the guidance system and recorded lighting conditions while approaching the Tianhe from different angles.[90][91] The crew landed in the Gobi Desert of Inner Mongolia on the same day.[92] Tianzhou 3 cargo spacecraft, which arrived at the launch facility a month earlier,[93] was immediately rolled out onto the launch pad for the next supply mission.[91]
On 20 September 2021, Tianzhou 3 autonomous freighter was launched from the Wenchang Satellite Launch Center in preparation for the arrival of Shenzhou 13 crew.[94] The Shenzhou 13 was the first six-month mission on the Tiangong station, whereas previous Shenzhou 12 was only three months in length.[95] The Shenzhou 13 docked with space station on 15 October 2021.[96][97] Missions for the Shenzhou 13 crew included orbit experiments, spacewalks, and preparations for the station's future expansion.[98] On 7 November 2021, Shenzhou 13 crew Zhai Zhigang and Wang Yaping conducted the first spacewalks to test the next-generation EVA suit and robotic Chinarm, making Wang Yaping China's first female spacewalker.[99] One of the missions in the 6.5-hour extravehicular activity was to install a dual-arm connector to the 10-meter-long robotic arm. The connector can provide the capability for Chinarm to extend in length with another 5-meter-long segment mounted on the Wentian module that will arrive in 2022. According to Gao Shen of the China Academy of Space Technology (CAST), the combined 15-meter Chinarm will have greater range and weight-carrying capacity.[100] During spacewalks, various preparations were performed on the robotic arm for manipulation and construction of future modules.[100]
On 26 December 2021, Shenzhou 13 crew Zhai Zhigang and Ye Guangfu conducted the second spacewalk to install a panoramic camera, which will be used for space station monitoring and robotic arm observation.[101] They also practiced various movements with the help of Chinarm controlled by the monitoring astronaut Wang Yaping inside the station.[102] During the construction phase of the station in 2021, according to documents filed by CMSA with the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs and reported by Reuters, the station had two "close encounters" with SpaceX's Starlink satellites on July 1 and October 21, with the station conducting evasive adjustment maneuvers.[103][104][105] On 5 January 2022, Shenzhou 13 team used the 10-meter long Chinarm to relocate the Tianzhou 2 supply ship by 20 degrees before returning it to the original location. This maneuver was conducted to practice the procedures, equipment, and backup operation system needed for future module assembly.[40] On January 13, the crew tested the emergency docking system by controlling the cargo spacecraft manually.[106] In March 2022, Shenzhou 13 crew began the preparation to undock from the space station.[107] The crew landed in China on 16 April 2022, after staying 182 days in the low-Earth orbit.[108][109] Soon afterward, China launched Tianzhou 4 cargo spacecraft in preparation for the next crewed mission in May.[110] The automated freighter docked with the space station on 9 May 2022, and carried vital maintenance equipment and a refrigerator for scientific experiment.[111]
Beginning with the Shenzhou 14, China officially started the final construction phase for the space station, with three astronauts tasked to oversee the arrival of two labotorary modules in 2022.[112] On 5 June 2022, Shenzhou 14 crew arrived at the space station,[113] docking at the Earth-facing nadir port.[114] Shenzhou 14 crew will begin the assembly for both Wentian and Mengtian modules, arriving in second half of the year.[114] The crew installed carbon dioxide reduction system for the space station, tested Feitian spacesuits, and debugged Tianhe core module.[115] On 19 July 2022, Tianzhou 3 was undocked from the station, making way for the arrival of the Wentian module.[116] On 24 July 2022, the Wentian laboratory module was launched from the Wenchang space center and rendezvoused with the Tianhe core module on the same day.[117][42] Wentian is the second module for the Tiangong space station, and the first laboratory cabin module (LCM). The module is equipped with an airlock cabin, which will become the primary entry-exit point for future EVAs.[43] The module also feature backup avionics, propulsion, and life support systems, improving Tiangong space station's operational redundancy.[42][118] On 2 September 2022, the crew member Chen Dong and Liu Yang performed their first spacewalk from the new Wentian airlock, installing and adjusting various external equipment as well as testing emergency return procedures.[119][44] On 17 September 2022, astronauts Chen Dong and Cai Xuzhe performed the second spacewalk, installing external pumps and verified emergency rescue capability.[120] On 30 September 2022, all crew members worked in coordination, moving the Wentian module from the forward port to the starboard lateral docking port, which is its planned permanent location. The relocation process was largely automated with the assistance of the Indexing robotic arm.[121] In October 2022, CMSA prepared to launch the third module, Mengtian, to the Tiangong station and completed the construction for the space station.[82]
Tianzhou 5 supply mission and Shenzhou 15 crew that is launched by the end of 2022. Shenzhou 15 will perform China's first crew handover in orbit, as the fully assembled Tiangong space station will have extra living quarters.[122][123] Xuntian telescope is expected to launch in late 2023.
International co-operation
China's incentive to build its own space station was amplified after NASA refused Chinese participation in the International Space Station(ISS) in 2011,[124] although China, Russia and Europe mutually vowed intentions to maintain a cooperative and multilateral approach in space.[125] Between 2007 and 2011, the space agencies of Europe, Russia and China carried out the ground-based preparations in the Mars500 project, which complement the ISS-based preparations for a human mission to Mars.[126]
Cooperation in the field of crewed space flight between the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA, formerly known as CMSEO) and the Italian Space Agency (ASI) was examined in 2011, and participation in the development of China crewed space stations and cooperation with China in the fields such as visiting astronauts, and scientific research was discussed.[127]
An initial cooperative agreement with China National Space Administration and the Italian Space Agency was subsequently signed in November 2011, covering areas of collaboration within space transportation, telecommunications, Earth observation, etc.[128] In 2019, an Italian experiment High Energy cosmic-Radiation Detection (HERD) was scheduled on board the Chinese station.[129] Tiangong also involved cooperation from France, Sweden, and Russia.[130]
On 22 February 2017, the CMSA and the Italian Space Agency (ASI) signed an agreement to cooperate on long-term human spaceflight activities.[131] The agreement holds importance due to Italy's leading position in the field of human spaceflight with regards to the creation and exploitation of the International Space Station (Node 2, Node 3, Columbus, Cupola, Leonardo, Raffaello, Donatello, PMM, etc.) and it signified Italy's increased anticipation in China's developing space station programme.[132] The European Space Agency (ESA) started human spaceflight training with CMSA in 2017, with the ultimate goal of sending ESA astronauts to Tiangong.[133]
International experiments were selected by the CMSA and the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) in a UN session in 2019. 42 applications were submitted and nine experiments were accepted.[134] Some of the experiments are a continuation to the ones on Tiangong-2 such as POLAR-2, an experiment of researching Gamma-ray burst polarimetry, proposed by Switzerland, Poland, Germany and China.[135] Canadian Professor Dr. Tricia Larose from the University of Oslo develops a cutting-edge cancer research experiment for the station. The 31-day experiment will test to see if weightlessness has a positive effect in stopping cancer growth.[136] Tiangong is also expected to host experiments from Belgium, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Mexico, the Netherlands, Peru, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and Spain.[135]
Regarding the participation of foreign astronauts, CMSA has repeatedly communicated its support for such proposals. During the press conference of the Shenzhou 12 mission, Zhou Jianping, the chief designer of China Manned Space Program explained that multiple countries had expressed their wishes to participate. He told journalists that the future participation of foreign astronauts "will be guaranteed".[137] Ji Qiming, an assistant director at CMSA told reporters that he believes "in the near future, after the completion of the Chinese space station, we will see Chinese and foreign astronauts fly and work together."[138]
Life aboard
Tiangong is currently staffed with a crew of 3 people. Once the construction is complete, the crew size will increase to a maximum of 6 people, beginning with Shenzhou 15, scheduled to launch before the end of 2022.[1]
The station possesses a Wi-Fi network for wireless connection and each astronaut wears a bone-conduction headphone and microphone for easy communication.[139]
Food and personal hygiene
Meals consisting of 120 different types of food, selected based on astronauts' preferences, are stored aboard. Staples including shredded pork in garlic sauce, kung pao chicken, black pepper beef, yuxiang shredded pork, pickled cabbage, and beverages, including a variety of teas and juices, are resupplied by trips of the Tianzhou-class robotic cargo spacecraft. Fresh fruits and vegetables are stored in coolers. Huang Weifen, the chief astronaut trainer of CMSA, explains that most of the food is prepared to be solid, boneless, small-piece. Condiments such as pork sauce and Sichuan pepper sauce are used to compensate for the changes in the sense of taste in microgravity. The station is equipped with a small kitchen for food preparation and the first-ever microwave oven in spaceflight[140][141] so that astronauts can "always have hot food whenever they need."[142][143] Following the astronauts' feedback, larger supplies of vegetables were included since Tianzhou 4, making the variety of vegetable increased to 32.[144]
The station's core module, Tianhe, provides the living quarters for the crew members,[145][146] containing of three separate sleeping berths,[147] a space toilet, shower facility, and gym equipment.[148] Each berth features a headphone, ventilation and other amenities, and at least one of them has a small window.[149] Neuromuscular electrical stimulator is used to prevent muscle atrophy. The noise level in the working area is set at 58 decibels, while in the sleeping area, the noise is kept at 49 decibels.[150][151]
Operations
The station's resupply is conducted by visiting crewed and robotic spacecraft. China has sent a new data relay satellite on its way to geostationary orbit to support the nation’s crewed space station project.
The Tianlian 2 (03) satellite will join a network for space tracking and data relay.[152]
Crewed mission
Initial crewed missions to Tiangong, including its first mission Shenzhou 12 which lasted the planned 90 days, uses the Shenzhou spacecraft. Subsequent missions starting with Shenzhou 13 will last a planned 180 days, this then would become the normal duration of a mission cycle at Tiangong.[153]
CMSA announced the testing of a next-generation crewed spacecraft to eventually replace Shenzhou. It is designed to carry astronauts to Tiangong and offer the capability for lunar exploration. China's next-generation crew carrier is reusable with a detachable heat shield built to handle higher-temperature returns through Earth's atmosphere. The new capsule design is larger than the Shenzhou, according to CMSA officials. The spacecraft is capable of carrying astronauts to the Moon, and can accommodate up to six to seven crew members at a time, three more astronauts than Shenzhou.[154] The new crewed spacecraft has a cargo section that allows astronauts to bring cargo back to Earth, whereas the Tianzhou cargo resupply spacecraft is not designed to bring any cargo back to Earth.[154]
Cargo resupply
Tianzhou (Heavenly Vessel), a modified derivative of the Tiangong-1 spacecraft, is used as robotic cargo spacecraft to resupply this station.[155] The launch mass of Tianzhou is around 13,000 kg with a payload of around 6,000 kg.[156] Launch, rendezvous and docking shall be fully autonomous, with mission control and crew used in override or monitoring roles. This system becomes very reliable with standardisations that provide significant cost benefits in repetitive routine operations. An automated approach could allow the assembly of modules orbiting other worlds prior to crewed missions.[157]
List of missions
- All dates are UTC. Dates are the earliest possible dates and may change.
- Forward ports are at the front of the station according to its normal direction of travel and orientation (attitude). Aft is at the rear of the station, used by spacecraft to boost the station's orbit. Nadir is closest to the Earth, zenith is on top. Port is to the left if pointing one's feet towards the Earth and looking in the direction of travel; starboard to the right.
- Key
Launch date (UTC) | Docking date (UTC) | Undocking date (UTC) | Result | Spacecraft/payload | Launch vehicle | Launch site | Launch provider | Docking/berthing port | Duration[b] |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
29 April 2021, 03:23:15[4] | — | — | Success | Tianhe | Long March 5B | Wenchang LC-1 | CASC | N/A | |
29 May 2021, 12:55:29[158] | 29 May 2021, 21:01[159] | 27 March 2022, 07:59 | Tianzhou 2 | Long March 7 | Wenchang LC-2 | CASC | Tianhe port[c] | 301 days, 10 hours and 58 minutes | |
17 June 2021, 01:22:27[160] | 17 June 2021, 07:54[160] | 16 September 2021, 00:56 [161] | Shenzhou 12 | Long March 2F | Jiuquan SLS-1 | CASC | Tianhe forward | 90 days, 14 hours and 8 minutes | |
20 September 2021, 07:10:11[162][163] | 20 September 2021, 14:08[164] | 17 July 2022, 02:59 | Tianzhou 3 | Long March 7 | Wenchang LC-2 | CASC | Tianhe forward[d] | 299 days, 12 hours and 51 minutes | |
15 October 2021, 16:23:56[165][166] | 15 October 2021, 22:56[167] | 15 April 2022, 16:44 [168] | Shenzhou 13 | Long March 2F | Jiuquan SLS-1 | CASC | Tianhe nadir | 181 days, 14 hours and 46 minutes | |
9 May 2022, 17:56:37[169] | 10 May 2022, 00:54 | TBD | Tianzhou 4 | Long March 7 | Wenchang LC-2 | CASC | Tianhe aft | ||
5 June 2022, 02:44:10[170] | 5 June 2022, 09:42 | TBD | Shenzhou 14 | Long March 2F | Jiuquan SLS-1 | CASC | Tianhe nadir | ||
24 July 2022, 06:22:32[55][171] | 24 July 2022, 19:13[172] | — | Wentian | Long March 5B | Wenchang LC-1 | CASC | Tianhe starboard[e] | ||
31 October 2022[171] | TBD | — | Planned | Mengtian | Long March 5B | Wenchang LC-1 | CASC | Tianhe starboard | |
6 November 2022[173][174] | TBD | TBD | Tianzhou 5 | Long March 7 | Wenchang LC-2 | CASC | Tianhe aft | ||
26 November 2022[175] | TBD | TBD | Shenzhou 15 | Long March 2F | Jiuquan SLS-1 | CASC | Tianhe nadir |
End of mission
Tiangong is designed to be used for 10 years, though it could be extended to 15 years[176] and will accommodate three astronauts.[177] CMSA crewed spacecraft use deorbital burns to slow their velocity, resulting in their re-entry to the Earth's atmosphere. Vehicles carrying a crew have a heat shield which prevents the vehicle's destruction caused by aerodynamic heating upon contact with the Earth's atmosphere. The station itself has no heat-shield; however, small parts of space stations can reach the surface of the Earth, so uninhabited areas will be targeted for de-orbit manoeuvres.[71]
In popular culture
The Tiangong space station and the International Space Station are subjects in feature movie Gravity (2013).[178]
Notes
- ^ Excludes visiting cargo like Tianzhou and crew vehicles like Shenzhou that are meant for supplementing the space station
- ^ Duration is calculated from the moment of entry into the Tianhe core module to the time of undocking with the station.
- ^ Initially docked to aft port, moved to forward port on 18 Sep 2021, and then again to portside port on 6 Jan 2022
- ^ Initially docked to aft port, moved to forward port on 20 Apr 2022
- ^ Initially docked to forward port, it was moved to starboard port on 30 Sep 2022 by the Indexing Robot Arm
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