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Tiangong space station

Tiangong (Chinese: 天宫; pinyin: Tiāngōng; lit. 'Sky Palace'),[5][6] officially the Tiangong space station[7] (Chinese: 天宫空间站; pinyin: Tiāngōng kōngjiānzhàn), is a permanently crewed space station constructed by China and operated by China Manned Space Agency.[8] Tiangong is a modular design, with modules docked together while in low Earth orbit, between 340 and 450 km (210 and 280 mi) above the surface. It is China's first long-term space station, part of the Tiangong program and the core of the "Third Step" of the China Manned Space Program; it has a pressurised volume of 340 m3 (12,000 cu ft), slightly over one third the size of the International Space Station. The space station aims to provide opportunities for space-based experiments and a platform for building capacity for scientific and technological innovation.[9]

Tiangong Space Station
A rendering of the station with the Tianhe at centre of picture, a Tianzhou on its aft port, the Wentian on its starboard port to the left, the Mengtian on its portside port to the right and two Shenzhou spacecraft, sharing its multi-docking hub
Station statistics
CrewMaximum: 6[1]
Currently aboard: 3 (Shenzhou 18)
Expedition: 7
Commander: Ye Guangfu (PLAAC)
Launch29 April 2021 (Tianhe)
24 July 2022 (Wentian)
31 October 2022 (Mengtian)
~2025 (Xuntian)
Launch padWenchang Spacecraft Launch Site LC-1
Mission statusOperational
Mass~ 100,000 kg
Length~ 55.6 m[2]
Diameter~ 39.0 m
Pressurised volume340 m3 (12,000 cu ft)
Habitable: 122 m3 (4,310 cu ft)
Periapsis altitude386.4 km[3]
Apoapsis altitude391.8 km[3]
Orbital inclination41.47°[3]
Typical orbit altitude389.1 km[3]
Orbital speed7.67 km/s[3]
Orbital period92.3 minutes[4]
Days in orbit1097 days, 22 hours, 10 minutes
(1 May 2024)
Days occupied967 days, 7 hours and 49 minutes
(1 May 2024)
Statistics as of 25 April 2024
Configuration
Station elements as of October 2023
(exploded view)

The construction of the station is based on the experience gained from its precursors, Tiangong-1 and Tiangong-2.[10][11][12] The first module, the Tianhe ("Harmony of the Heavens") core module, was launched on 29 April 2021.[5][6] This was followed by multiple crewed and uncrewed missions and the addition of two laboratory cabin modules. The first, Wentian ("Quest for the Heavens"), launched on 24 July 2022; the second, Mengtian ("Dreaming of the Heavens"), launched on 31 October 2022.[10]

Nomenclature edit

The names used in the space program, previously all chosen from the revolutionary history of the People's Republic, have been replaced with mystical-religious ones. Thus, the space capsule Divine Vessel (神舟; Shénzhōu),[13] spaceplane Divine Dragon (神龙; Shénlóng),[14] land-based high-power laser Divine Light (神光; Shénguāng),[15] and supercomputer Divine Might (神威; Shénwēi).[16]

These poetic[17] names continue as the first, second, third, fourth, fifth and future probes of the Chinese Lunar Exploration Program 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 China Manned Space Agency (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:[11]

  • The precursor space labs would be called Tiangong (天宫; Tiān Gōng; 'Sky 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.[7]
  • The cargo transport spacecraft would be called Tianzhou (天舟; Tiān Zhōu; '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, Tianzhou 4 and Tianzhou 5 were launched respectively on 20 September 2021, 9 May 2022 and 12 November 2022.
  • The Modular Space Station Core Module would be called Tianhe (天和; Tiān Hé; '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 (问天; Wèn Tiān; 'Quest for the 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 (梦天; Mèng Tiān; 'Dreaming of the Heavens[25]'), code MT.[21] Mengtian was successfully launched on 31 October 2022.[22][27]
  • The separate space telescope module would be called Xuntian (巡天; Xún Tiān; 'Touring the Heavens'), code XT (telescope), receiving the previously intended name for the Experiment Module II. Launch is planned for 2025.[28]

Purpose and mission edit

According to CMSA, which operates the space station, the purpose and mission of Tiangong is to develop and gain experience in spacecraft rendezvous technology, permanent human operations in orbit, long-term autonomous spaceflight of the space station, regenerative life support technology and autonomous cargo and fuel supply technology. It will also serve the platform for the next-generation orbit transportation vehicles, scientific and practical applications at large-scale in orbit, and technology for future deep space exploration.[29][30][31]

CMSA also encourages commercial activities led by the private sector and hopes their involvement could bring cost-effective aerospace innovations.[32] Space tourism at the space station is also considered.[33]

Scientific research edit

 
Basic space experiment cabinet of Tiangong space station

The space station will have 23 experimental racks in an enclosed, pressurised environment. There will also be platforms for exposed experiments; 22 and 30 on the Wentian and Mengtian laboratory modules, respectively.[34] Over 1,000 experiments are tentatively approved by CMSA,[35] and scheduled to be conducted on the space station.[36]

Agriculture in microgravity was explored with cultivation of rice and Arabidopsis thaliana as sustainable food sources for long-term spaceflight.[37]

The programmed experiment equipment racks for the three modules as of June 2016 were:[12]

  • 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 cultural outreach edit

The space station features space lectures and popular 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 session with school children's questions from classrooms across China.[38] The first and second Tiangong space lesson was conducted in December 2021 and March 2022, as a part of the Shenzhou 13 mission.[39][40] This tradition continued with the Shenzhou 14.[41]

The CSSARC is the Amateur Radio payload for the Chinese Space Station, proposed by the Chinese Radio Amateurs Club (CRAC), Aerospace System Engineering Research Institute of Shanghai (ASES) and Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT). The payload will provide resources for radio amateurs worldwide to contact onboard astronauts or communicate with each other, aim to inspire students to take interests and careers in science, technology, engineering, and math, and encourage more people to get interested in amateur radio.[42][43]

The first phase of the payload is capable of providing the following functions utilising the VHF/UHF amateur radio band:

  • V/V or U/U crew voice
  • V/U or U/V FM repeater
  • V/V or U/U 1k2 AFSK digipeater
  • V/V or U/U SSTV or digital image

Structure edit

 
T-shaped early concept of the Chinese large modular space station

The space station is 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. Modular design can greatly improve reliability, reduce costs, shorten development cycles, and meet diversified task requirements.[10]

Wentian
robotic arm
Chinarm
robotic arm
Solar arraySolar arrayDocking portSolar arraySolar array
Wentian
laboratory
Tianhe
core module
Mengtian
laboratory
Solar arrayEVA hatchDocking portDocking portSolar array
EVA hatchCargo airlock

Modules edit

 
Rear view of Tiangong Space Station, taken by Tianzhou cargo spacecraft ahead of docking.
 
A mockup of the Tiangong displayed at Hong Kong in 2022

The initial target configuration for the end of 2022 consisted of three modules. Previous plans suggested expanding to six modules by duplicating the initial three,[44] but as of 2023, planning has shifted to adding a single multi-functional module with six docking ports instead.[45] In October 2023, China announced revised plans to expand the station to six modules starting in 2027.[46]

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.

In 2018 a full-scale mockup of CCM was publicly presented at China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition in Zhuhai.[47] 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 (LCM), Wentian, provides additional avionics, propulsion, and life support systems as backup functions for the CCM.[48] 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.[49] For the scientific payload, the LCM is equipped with multiple internal science racks and 22 payload adapters on the exterior for various types of experiments.[50] Aside from scientific equipment, the module features three additional living quarters designed for short-term stay, which will be used during crew rotation.[51] Wentian was launched and docked with the Tianhe on 24 July 2022.[52]

The second LCM, Mengtian, was launched on 31 October 2022. The Mengtian module is equipped with expanded in-orbit experiment capacity.[53] The module is divided into multiple sections, including the pressurised crew working compartment, the unpressurised cargo section, the cargo airlock/on-orbit release mechanism, as well as the control module section featuring external experiment adapters, a communication antenna, and two solar arrays.[27] In total, it carries 13 experimental racks and 37 external payload adapters.[54] The cargo airlock is specifically designed for conveying payloads from inside the station to the exterior.[54]

Both LCMs provide a pressurised 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.[55] Overall, Wentian prioritises life science, while the Mengtian focus on microgravity experiments.[54]

The axial port of the LCMs is fitted with rendezvous equipment for docking at the axial port of the CCM. A mechanical arm called the indexing robotic arm, externally resembling the Lyappa arm used on the Mir space station, moves Wentian LCM to the starboard side, and the Mengtian LCM module to a port-side port of the CCM.[56] The Indexing robot arms differentiate from the Lyappa arm as they are used when docking is needed in the same plane, while the Lyappa arm controls the pitch of the spacecraft to re-dock it at a different plane. The Chinarm on the Tianhe module can be used as a backup for docking relocation.[57][58]

Module Launch time and International Designator Launch vehicle Docking date and position Length Diameter Mass On-orbit Image (Illustration) Ground 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) 22,500 kg (49,600 lb)  
 
The Tianhe core module prior to launch, 2021
The Tianhe core module consists of three sections: the living quarters, the service section, and a docking hub.[59][60]
Wentian module 24 July 2022 06:22:32 UTC

2022-085A

Long March 5B (Y3) 24 July 2022 19:13 UTC[61]
(Front docking)

30 September 2022 04:44 UTC[62]
(Front → Starboard side of the Tianhe core module)

17.9 m (59 ft)[63] 4.2 m (14 ft) 23,200 kg (51,100 lb)  
 
The Wentian laboratory cabin module prior to launch, 2022
The first 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 EVA airlock that serves as the station's main exit for spacewalks and a 5-meter-long robotic arm.[60]
Mengtian module 31 October 2022 07:37:23 UTC

2022-143A

Long March 5B (Y4)[27] 31 October 2022 20:27 UTC[55]
(Front docking)

3 November 2022 01:32 UTC[64]
(Front → Larboard side of the Tianhe core module)

17.9 m (59 ft)[63] 4.2 m (14 ft) ~23,000 kg (51,000 lb)  
 
The Mengtian laboratory cabin module prior to launch, 2022
The second lab module. It has a cargo airlock and payload transportation system.[60]

Systems edit

 
Deployment of flexible solar arrays on Tianhe core module
 
15 m combined robotic arm on Tiangong
 
Indexing Robot Arm on Wentian

Communication edit

The real-time communications, including live audio and video links, are provided by the Tianlian II series of data relay satellites. A constellation of three satellites was launched into geostationary orbits, providing communication and data support for the station.[65]

Docking edit

Tiangong is fitted with the 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,[66] 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.[67][68][69] It has a circular transfer passage that has a diameter of 800 mm (31 in).[70][71] The androgynous variant has a mass of 310 kg and the non-androgynous variant has a mass of 200 kg.[72]

The Chinese Docking Mechanism was used for the first time on Shenzhou 8 and Tiangong 1 space stations and will be used on future Chinese space stations and with future CMSA cargo resupply vehicles.[73][67]

Power supply edit

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.[74]

Propulsion edit

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.[75] 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 crewed mission safety in mind with effort to prevent erosion and damage caused by the accelerated ion particles.[76]

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 ran continuously for 8,240 hours without a glitch during the testing phase, indicating its suitability for Tiangong's designated 15-year lifespan.[76] These are the world's first Hall thrusters to be used on a human-rated mission.[77][78]

Robotic arms edit

The Tiangong station features five robotic arms. The longest one is the 10-meter-long, ISS Canadian-style SSRMS robotic arm, nicknamed Chinarm, mounted on the Tianhe core module.[79]

The Wentian module features a smaller, 5 m (16 ft) long SSRMS robotic arm that is 5 times more accurate in positioning than the Chinarm. The Wentian arm is primarily used to transfer extravehicular experiments and other hardware outside the station during astronaut EVAs. A dual-arm connector is installed on the Chinarm, providing it the capability to link with the Wentian robotic arm, extending its reach and weight-carrying limits.[80]

The Mengtian module carries a payload release mechanism,[54] installed to assist in cargo transfer.[27] The robotic arm can retrieve experiments from the cargo airlock, then install them onto the external adapters fitted on the module exterior.[81] It can also be used to launch microsatellites.[27][82]

Two Indexing robotic arms, developed by the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology,[83] are fitted on top of docking ports for the two laboratory modules to help relocate them during construction.[56][57]

Co-orbit modules edit

Spacecraft[a] Launch time and International Designator Launch vehicle Operational date Notes Length Diameter Mass On-orbit Image (Illustration)
Xuntian Space Station Telescope 2025 (Planned) Long March 5B (Y5) (Planned) 2025 (Planned) Will share the same orbit and periodically dock with Tiangong 14 m (46 ft)[84] 4.5 m (15 ft) 15,500 kg (34,200 lb)[84]  
Planned independent Chinese space station telescope currently under development. It will feature a 2-metre (6.6 ft; 79 in) 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 for maintenance.[85]

Construction edit

Planning edit

In 2011, it was announced that the future space station was planned to be assembled from 2020 to 2022.[86] 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.[87] By 2018, it was reported that this had slipped to 2020–2023.[23][88] In February 2020, a total of 11 launches were planned for the whole construction phase, beginning in 2021.[89][90] In 2021, it was reported China National Space Administration planned to complete the construction of the space station in 2022.[91]

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 crewed spaceflight experiences, including those gained from Tiangong-1 and Tiangong-2 prototypes,[92] as well as the purchase of aerospace technology from Russia in the early 1990s.[93] 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.[94] 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.[95]

In accordance to the plan, by the end of 2022, the fully assembled Tiangong space station had three 22 metric-ton modules in a basic T-shape.[96][97] With the modular design, the Tiangong space station can be further expanded into six modules prospectively enabling for more astronaut participation in the future.[98]

Assembly edit

 
A Long March 5B launching the Tianhe core module in April, 2021
 
Flexible solar array on Tianhe core module after deployment.
 
A Long March 5B launching the Wentian lab cabin module in July, 2022
 
The module relocation process with rotation arm equipped by the Wentian lab cabin module

The construction of the Chinese Space Station officially began in April 2021. The planned 11 missions include three module launches, four crewed missions, and four autonomous cargo flights.[99] 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.[100] 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.[101] On 17 June 2021, Shenzhou 12 team docked with the space station, marking them the first visitors to the Tiangong station.[102] The first crew mission began the examination of the core module and verification of key technologies.[103] 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) equipment, 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.[104] 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.[105] 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.[106][107] The crew landed in the Gobi Desert of Inner Mongolia on the same day.[108] Tianzhou 3 cargo spacecraft, which arrived at the launch facility a month earlier,[109] was immediately rolled out onto the launch pad for the next supply mission.[107]

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.[110] The Shenzhou 13 was the first six-month mission on the Tiangong station, whereas previous Shenzhou 12 was only three months in length.[111] The Shenzhou 13 docked with the space station on 15 October 2021.[112][113][114] Missions for the Shenzhou 13 crew included orbit experiments, spacewalks, and for the station's future expansion.[115] 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.[116] 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.[80] During spacewalks, various preparations were performed on the robotic arm for manipulation and construction of future modules.[80]

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.[117] They also practiced various movements with the help of Chinarm controlled by the monitoring astronaut Wang Yaping inside the station.[118] During the construction phase of the station in 2021, according to documents filed by China Manned Space Agency (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.[119][120][121] 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.[79] On January 13, the crew tested the emergency docking system by controlling the cargo spacecraft manually.[122] In March 2022, Shenzhou 13 crew began the preparation to undock from the space station.[123] The crew landed in China on 16 April 2022, after staying 182 days in the low-Earth orbit.[124][125] Soon afterward, China launched Tianzhou 4 cargo spacecraft in preparation for the next crewed mission in May.[126] The automated freighter docked with the space station on 9 May 2022, and carried vital maintenance equipment and a refrigerator for scientific experiment.[127]

 
Astronaut Zhai Zhigang of Shenzhou 13 crew performing spacewalk on Tiangong Space Station on November 7, 2021.
 
Astronaut Fei Junlong of Shenzhou 15 crew performing spacewalk on Tiangong Space Station on February 9, 2023.
 
A Long March 5B launching the Mengtian lab cabin module in October, 2022

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.[128] On 5 June 2022, Shenzhou 14 crew arrived at the space station,[129] docking at the Earth-facing nadir port.[130] Shenzhou 14 crew will begin the assembly for both Wentian and Mengtian modules, arriving in second half of the year.[130] The crew installed carbon dioxide reduction system for the space station, tested Feitian spacesuits, and debugged Tianhe core module.[131] On 19 July 2022, Tianzhou 3 was undocked from the station, making way for the arrival of the Wentian module.[132] 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.[133][48] 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.[49] The module also feature backup avionics, propulsion, and life support systems, improving Tiangong space station's operational redundancy.[48][134] 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.[135][50] On 17 September 2022, astronauts Chen Dong and Cai Xuzhe performed the second spacewalk, installing external pumps and verified emergency rescue capability.[136] 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 on 30 September 2022 at 04:44 UTC.[137] The relocation process was largely automated with the assistance of the Indexing robotic arm.[138] In October 2022, CMSA prepared to launch the third and final module, Mengtian, to complete the construction for the Tiangong space station.[98][139]

On 31 October 2022, Mengtian module was launched from the Wenchang space center,[140] and docked with the station 13 hours later.[55][141][142] The assembly of the Mengtian marks the final step in the 1.5-year construction process.[143][144][145] According to China Academy of Space Technology, the rendezvous and docking process for Mengtian was conducted expeditiously, as then L-shaped Tiangong station consumed large amount of energy to stay oriented in its asymmetrical arrangement.[81] On 3 November 2022, Mengtian was relocated autonomously from the forward docking port to port-side lateral docking port via Indexing robotic arm, and successfully berthed at its planned permanent location with Tianhe module at 01:32UTC (9:32BJT), forming a T-shape.[146] Subsequently, CMSA announced the construction of the Tiangong space station is officially complete.[147] Designer of Mengtian module, Li Guangxing, explained the space station was maneuvered to a special position, utilizing the Earth's gravity to help stabilize the docking process.[147] At 07:12UTC, The Shenzhou 14 crew entered the Mengtian module.[147][148] On 10 November 2022, Tianzhou 4 cargo spacecraft undocked from the Tiangong, and Tianzhou 5 was prepared to launch on the same day.[149] Tianzhou 5 was launched on 12 November 2022, carrying supplies, experiments, and microsatellites to the space station.[150][151] It also contained gifts for China's first crew handover ceremony in orbit.[152] The completed station had extra capacity for expanded crew activities and living space for six, allowing crew rotation.[153] On 29 November 2022, the Shenzhou 15 crew Fei Junlong, Deng Qingming, and Zhang Lu[154] was launched to the space station.[155] The crew spent one week together for handover and verification for sustainable six-man operations.[156][157] With the crew rotation operation, China commenced its permanent space presence.[158][159][160]

Expansion edit

 
Possible future expansion of Tiangong space station

According to CMSA, the Tiangong space station is expected to be expanded from three to six modules,[140][161] with improved versions of the Tianhe, Wentian, and Mengtian modules.[161]

According to Wang Xiang, commander of the space station system at the China Academy of Space Technology (CAST), the potential next phase would be adding a new core module. “Following our current design, we can continue to launch an extension module to dock with the forward section of the space station, and the extension module can carry a new hub for docking with the subsequent space vehicles,” Wang told CCTV.[162][163] In October 2023, CAST presented new plan on the 74th International Astronautical Congress to expand the Tiangong to 180 tons, six-module assembly, with at least 15 years of operational life.[164] A multi-functional module with six docking ports was planned as the foundation for the expansion. New sections included 3D printers, robots, improved robotic arms, and space debris observation, detection, and warning systems.[165]

The Xuntian space telescope module is planned to be launch in 2025.[28]

International co-operation edit

China's incentive to build its own space station was amplified after US Congress prohibited NASA from any direct engagement & cooperation with CNSA thus effectively prohibiting any Chinese participation in the International Space Station (ISS) in 2011,[166] although China, Russia and Europe mutually vowed intentions to maintain a cooperative and multilateral approach in space.[167] Between 2007 and 2011, the space agencies of Russia, Europe, and China carried out the ground-based preparations in the Mars500 project, which complement the ISS-based preparations for a human mission to Mars.[168]

Tiangong has involved cooperation with France, Sweden, and Russia.[169]

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.[170]

In November 2011, the China National Space Administration and the Italian Space Agency signed an initial cooperative agreement, covering areas of collaboration within space transportation, telecommunications, Earth observation, and so on.[171]

On 22 February 2017, the CMSA and the Italian Space Agency (ASI) signed an agreement to cooperate on long-term human spaceflight activities.[172] 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.[173] The European Space Agency (ESA) started human spaceflight training with CMSA in 2017, with the ultimate goal of sending ESA astronauts to Tiangong.[174] To prepare for the future missions, selected ESA astronauts lived together with their Chinese counterparts and engaged in training sessions such as splashes-down survival, language learning, and spacecraft operations.[175][176] However, in January 2023, ESA announced that the agency will not send its astronauts to China's space station due to political and financial reasons.[177]

In 2019, an Italian experiment High Energy cosmic-Radiation Detection (HERD) was scheduled on board the Chinese station.[178]

In 2019, international experiments were selected by the CMSA and the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) in a UN session. 42 applications were submitted, and 9 experiments were accepted.[179] 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.[180] Canadian Professor Dr. Tricia Larose of the University of Oslo has been developing a cutting-edge cancer research experiment for the station.[181] The 31-day experiment is to research whether weightlessness has a positive effect in stopping cancer growth.[182] The High Energy Cosmic Ray Detector project is conducted by a 200 scientists team from Europe, mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan.[147] Under UNOOSA framework, Tiangong is also expected to host experiments from Belgium, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Mexico, the Netherlands, Peru, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and Spain,[180] involving 23 institutions and 17 countries.[35][183]

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".[184] 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."[185]

In October 2022, the station opened its selection process to Hong Kong and Macau, the two special administrative regions of China.[157][186]

Life aboard edit

Crew activities edit

 
Astronaut Nie Haisheng doing running exercise on Tiangong Space Station
 
Interior of Wentian lab module at Tiangong Space Station

Astronauts on the Tiangong station follow China Standard Time (CST) for their daily schedule. The crew often wakes up around 7:00 and begins their daily conference with Mission Control in Beijing before starting work at 08:00 (00:00UTC). The crew will then follow their planned schedule until 21:00, after which they report their work process to Mission Control. At 13:30, astronauts enter their living quarters to take a nap, which typically takes an hour. The crew also has multiple breaks for eating and resting.[187] The Tiangong station features a lighting scene function to simulate lighting conditions on Earth, including daylight, dusk, and night. As the station experiences 16 sunrises and sunsets per day in low Earth orbit, this function helps to avoid disruption to the crew's circadian rhythm.[187][188]

The Tiangong space station is fitted with home automation functions, including remote-controlled appliances and a logistics management system.[188] The crew can use their tablet computers to identify, locate, and organize items inside the station, as all items in the station are marked by QR codes. This will help ensure an orderly environment as more cargo arrives.[188] Inter-device communication inside the station is completely wireless via the Wi-Fi network to avoid cord mess.[188]

Food and personal hygiene edit

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 fruit 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 table for food preparation, a refrigerator, a water dispenser, and the first-ever microwave oven in spaceflight[187][189][190] so that astronauts can "always have hot food whenever they need."[191][192] Following the astronauts' feedback, larger supplies of vegetables were included since Tianzhou 4, making the variety of vegetable increased to 32.[193]

The station's core module, Tianhe, provides the living quarters for the crew members,[194][195] consisting of three separate sleeping berths,[196] a space toilet, shower facility, and gym equipment.[197] Each berth features one small circular window,[198] a headphone set, ventilation, and other amenities.[199] 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.[200][201] The ventilation system provides air circulation to the crew, with 0.08m/s wind speed for the working areas and 0.05 m/s for the sleeping stations.[188] Three additional living quarters for short-term stay are located in the Wentian laboratory module.[51]

Operations edit

Since 5 June 2022, Tiangong has been a permanently crewed station, typically staffed with a crew of 3 people but capable of supporting up to 6 people.[8][1] After the completion of the station in November 2022, it housed a crew of 6 people for the first time for 5 days during the crew rotation from Shenzhou 14 to Shenzhou 15 in December 2022.[1] Operations are controlled from the Beijing Aerospace Flight Control Center in China. To guarantee the safety of astronauts on board, a Long March 2F/G with a Shenzhou spacecraft will always be on standby for an emergency rescue mission.[202]

Crewed missions edit

 
First gathering of two Chinese astronaut crews (Shenzhou 14 and 15) on Tiangong on November 30, 2022.

The first crewed mission to Tiangong, Shenzhou 12, lasted 90 days. Starting with Shenzhou 13, subsequent missions have had a normal duration of about 180 days.[203]

CMSA has announced the testing of the Mengzhou 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. According to CMSA officials, the new capsule design is larger than the Shenzhou. Mengzhou 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.[204] 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.[204]

Cargo resupply edit

 
Cargo packages loaded on Tianzhou spacecraft.

Tianzhou (Heavenly Vessel), a modified derivative of the Tiangong-1 spacecraft, is used as robotic cargo spacecraft to resupply this station.[205] The launch mass of Tianzhou is around 13,000 kg with a payload of around 6,000 kg.[206] 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 standardizations 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.[207]

List of missions edit

  • 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
  Uncrewed cargo spacecraft are in light blue colour
  Crewed spacecraft are in light green colour
  Modules are in beige colour
Launch
date (UTC)
Docking date (UTC) Undocking date (UTC) Result Spacecraft/Module Launch vehicle Launch site Launch provider Docking/berthing port Duration[b]
29 April 2021,
03:23:15[5]
N/A N/A Success Tianhe Long March 5B   Wenchang LC-1   CASC N/A
29 May 2021,
12:55:29[208]
29 May 2021,
21:01[209]
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[210]
17 June 2021,
07:54[210]
16 September 2021,
00:56 [211]
Shenzhou 12 Long March 2F/G   Jiuquan SLS-1   CASC Tianhe forward 90 days, 14 hours and 8 minutes
20 September 2021,
07:10:11[212][213]
20 September 2021,
14:08[214]
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[215][216]
15 October 2021,
22:56[217]
15 April 2022,
16:44[218]
Shenzhou 13 Long March 2F/G   Jiuquan SLS-1   CASC Tianhe nadir 181 days, 14 hours and 46 minutes
9 May 2022,
17:56:37[219]
10 May 2022,
00:54
9 November 2022,
06:55
Tianzhou 4 Long March 7   Wenchang LC-2   CASC Tianhe aft 183 days, 6 hours and 1 minute
5 June 2022,
02:44:10[220]
5 June 2022,
09:42
4 December 2022,
03:01
Shenzhou 14 Long March 2F/G   Jiuquan SLS-1   CASC Tianhe nadir 181 days, 14 hours and 11 minutes
24 July 2022,
06:22:32[221][222]
24 July 2022,
19:13[61]
N/A Wentian Long March 5B   Wenchang LC-1   CASC Tianhe starboard[e]
31 October 2022,
07:37:23.191[222]
31 October 2022,
20:27
N/A Mengtian Long March 5B   Wenchang LC-1   CASC Tianhe port[f]
12 November 2022,
02:03:12:374[223][224]
12 November 2022,
04:10
11 September 2023
08:46
Tianzhou 5 Long March 7   Wenchang LC-2   CASC Tianhe forward[g] 303 days, 4 hours and 36 minutes
29 November 2022,
15:08:17[225]
29 November 2022,
21:42[226]
3 June 2023,
13:29
Shenzhou 15 Long March 2F/G   Jiuquan SLS-1   CASC Tianhe forward 185 days, 13 hours and 56 minutes
10 May 2023,
13:22:51:405[227]
10 May 2023,
21:16
12 January 2024,
08:02
Tianzhou 6 Long March 7   Wenchang LC-2   CASC Tianhe aft 246 days, 10 hours and 46 minutes
30 May 2023,
01:31:13[227]
30 May 2023,
08:29
30 October 2023,
12:37[228]
Shenzhou 16 Long March 2F/G   Jiuquan LA-4   CASC Tianhe nadir 153 days, 2 hours and 15 minutes
26 October 2023,
03:14:02[229]
26 October 2023,
09:46
30 April 2024,
00:43[230]
Shenzhou 17 Long March 2F/G   Jiuquan LA-4   CASC Tianhe forward 186 days, 13 hours and 9 minutes
17 January 2024,
14:27:30:728[231]
17 January 2024,
17:46
TBD Tianzhou 7 Long March 7   Wenchang LC-2   CASC Tianhe aft
25 April 2024,
12:59:00.479[232]
25 April 2024,
19:32[233]
TBD Shenzhou 18 Long March 2F/G   Jiuquan SLS-1   CASC Tianhe nadir
2025[28] N/A N/A Planned Xuntian Long March 5B   Wenchang LC-1   CASC N/A

End of mission edit

Tiangong is designed to be used for 10 years, though it could be extended to 15 years[234] and will accommodate three astronauts.[235] 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.[87]

Visibility edit

Similar to the ISS, the Tiangong space station can also be seen from Earth with the naked eye due to sunlight illumination reflected off the modules and solar panels, reaching a brightness magnitude of at least -2.2 mag.[236]

In popular culture edit

A predecessor, the Tiangong-1 space laboratory, and the International Space Station are subjects in the 2013 feature film Gravity.[237]

Near the end of the Netflix original animated film Over the Moon (2020), a red dragon is depicted playing with Tiangong space station.

Notes edit

  1. ^ Excludes visiting cargo like Tianzhou and crew vehicles like Shenzhou that are meant for supplementing the space station
  2. ^ Duration of a spacecraft is calculated from the moment of docking with the Tianhe core module to the moment of undocking with the station.
  3. ^ Initially docked to aft port, moved to forward port on 18 Sep 2021, and then again to portside port on 6 Jan 2022
  4. ^ Initially docked to aft port, moved to forward port on 20 Apr 2022
  5. ^ Initially docked to forward port, it was moved to starboard port on 30 Sep 2022 by the Indexing Robot Arm
  6. ^ Initially docked to forward port, it was moved to Portside port on 3 Nov 2022 by the Indexing Robot Arm
  7. ^ Initially docked to aft port, from 5 May 2023, it was free-flying and co-orbiting the space station, then redocked to forward port on 5 June 2023

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External links edit

  • Official website
  • Complete Tiangong space station tracking location details from user location.
  • China Space Station Amateur Radio Project (CSSARC) website - The amateur radio payload for Tiangong Space Station.

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This article is about the Chinese permanent modular space station For preceding experimental space stations also named Tiangong see Tiangong program Tiangong Chinese 天宫 pinyin Tiangōng lit Sky Palace 5 6 officially the Tiangong space station 7 Chinese 天宫空间站 pinyin Tiangōng kōngjianzhan is a permanently crewed space station constructed by China and operated by China Manned Space Agency 8 Tiangong is a modular design with modules docked together while in low Earth orbit between 340 and 450 km 210 and 280 mi above the surface It is China s first long term space station part of the Tiangong program and the core of the Third Step of the China Manned Space Program it has a pressurised volume of 340 m3 12 000 cu ft slightly over one third the size of the International Space Station The space station aims to provide opportunities for space based experiments and a platform for building capacity for scientific and technological innovation 9 Tiangong Space StationA rendering of the station with the Tianhe at centre of picture a Tianzhou on its aft port the Wentian on its starboard port to the left the Mengtian on its portside port to the right and two Shenzhou spacecraft sharing its multi docking hubStation statisticsCrewMaximum 6 1 Currently aboard 3 Shenzhou 18 Expedition 7Commander Ye Guangfu PLAAC Launch29 April 2021 Tianhe 24 July 2022 Wentian 31 October 2022 Mengtian 2025 Xuntian Launch padWenchang Spacecraft Launch Site LC 1Mission statusOperationalMass 100 000 kgLength 55 6 m 2 Diameter 39 0 mPressurised volume340 m3 12 000 cu ft Habitable 122 m3 4 310 cu ft Periapsis altitude386 4 km 3 Apoapsis altitude391 8 km 3 Orbital inclination41 47 3 Typical orbit altitude389 1 km 3 Orbital speed7 67 km s 3 Orbital period92 3 minutes 4 Days in orbit1097 days 22 hours 10 minutes 1 May 2024 Days occupied967 days 7 hours and 49 minutes 1 May 2024 Statistics as of 25 April 2024ConfigurationStation elements as of October 2023 exploded view The construction of the station is based on the experience gained from its precursors Tiangong 1 and Tiangong 2 10 11 12 The first module the Tianhe Harmony of the Heavens core module was launched on 29 April 2021 5 6 This was followed by multiple crewed and uncrewed missions and the addition of two laboratory cabin modules The first Wentian Quest for the Heavens launched on 24 July 2022 the second Mengtian Dreaming of the Heavens launched on 31 October 2022 10 Contents 1 Nomenclature 2 Purpose and mission 2 1 Scientific research 2 2 Education and cultural outreach 3 Structure 3 1 Modules 3 2 Systems 3 2 1 Communication 3 2 2 Docking 3 2 3 Power supply 3 2 4 Propulsion 3 2 5 Robotic arms 3 3 Co orbit modules 4 Construction 4 1 Planning 4 2 Assembly 4 3 Expansion 5 International co operation 6 Life aboard 6 1 Crew activities 6 2 Food and personal hygiene 7 Operations 7 1 Crewed missions 7 2 Cargo resupply 7 3 List of missions 7 4 End of mission 8 Visibility 9 In popular culture 10 Notes 11 References 12 External linksNomenclature editThe names used in the space program previously all chosen from the revolutionary history of the People s Republic have been replaced with mystical religious ones Thus the space capsule Divine Vessel 神舟 Shenzhōu 13 spaceplane Divine Dragon 神龙 Shenlong 14 land based high power laser Divine Light 神光 Shenguang 15 and supercomputer Divine Might 神威 Shenwei 16 These poetic 17 names continue as the first second third fourth fifth and future probes of the Chinese Lunar Exploration Program 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 China Manned Space Agency 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 11 The precursor space labs would be called Tiangong 天宫 Tian Gōng Sky 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 7 The cargo transport spacecraft would be called Tianzhou 天舟 Tian Zhōu 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 Tianzhou 4 and Tianzhou 5 were launched respectively on 20 September 2021 9 May 2022 and 12 November 2022 The Modular Space Station Core Module would be called Tianhe 天和 Tian He 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 问天 Wen Tian Quest for the 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 梦天 Meng Tian Dreaming of the Heavens 25 code MT 21 Mengtian was successfully launched on 31 October 2022 22 27 The separate space telescope module would be called Xuntian 巡天 Xun Tian Touring the Heavens code XT telescope receiving the previously intended name for the Experiment Module II Launch is planned for 2025 28 Purpose and mission editAccording to CMSA which operates the space station the purpose and mission of Tiangong is to develop and gain experience in spacecraft rendezvous technology permanent human operations in orbit long term autonomous spaceflight of the space station regenerative life support technology and autonomous cargo and fuel supply technology It will also serve the platform for the next generation orbit transportation vehicles scientific and practical applications at large scale in orbit and technology for future deep space exploration 29 30 31 CMSA also encourages commercial activities led by the private sector and hopes their involvement could bring cost effective aerospace innovations 32 Space tourism at the space station is also considered 33 Scientific research edit nbsp Basic space experiment cabinet of Tiangong space station The space station will have 23 experimental racks in an enclosed pressurised environment There will also be platforms for exposed experiments 22 and 30 on the Wentian and Mengtian laboratory modules respectively 34 Over 1 000 experiments are tentatively approved by CMSA 35 and scheduled to be conducted on the space station 36 Agriculture in microgravity was explored with cultivation of rice and Arabidopsis thaliana as sustainable food sources for long term spaceflight 37 The programmed experiment equipment racks for the three modules as of June 2016 were 12 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 cultural outreach edit The space station features space lectures and popular 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 session with school children s questions from classrooms across China 38 The first and second Tiangong space lesson was conducted in December 2021 and March 2022 as a part of the Shenzhou 13 mission 39 40 This tradition continued with the Shenzhou 14 41 The CSSARC is the Amateur Radio payload for the Chinese Space Station proposed by the Chinese Radio Amateurs Club CRAC Aerospace System Engineering Research Institute of Shanghai ASES and Harbin Institute of Technology HIT The payload will provide resources for radio amateurs worldwide to contact onboard astronauts or communicate with each other aim to inspire students to take interests and careers in science technology engineering and math and encourage more people to get interested in amateur radio 42 43 The first phase of the payload is capable of providing the following functions utilising the VHF UHF amateur radio band V V or U U crew voice V U or U V FM repeater V V or U U 1k2 AFSK digipeater V V or U U SSTV or digital imageStructure edit nbsp T shaped early concept of the Chinese large modular space station The space station is 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 Modular design can greatly improve reliability reduce costs shorten development cycles and meet diversified task requirements 10 Wentianrobotic armChinarmrobotic arm Solar arraySolar arrayDocking portSolar arraySolar array WentianlaboratoryTianhecore moduleMengtianlaboratory Solar arrayEVA hatchDocking portDocking portSolar array EVA hatchCargo airlock Modules edit nbsp Rear view of Tiangong Space Station taken by Tianzhou cargo spacecraft ahead of docking nbsp A mockup of the Tiangong displayed at Hong Kong in 2022 The initial target configuration for the end of 2022 consisted of three modules Previous plans suggested expanding to six modules by duplicating the initial three 44 but as of 2023 planning has shifted to adding a single multi functional module with six docking ports instead 45 In October 2023 China announced revised plans to expand the station to six modules starting in 2027 46 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 In 2018 a full scale mockup of CCM was publicly presented at China International Aviation amp Aerospace Exhibition in Zhuhai 47 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 LCM Wentian provides additional avionics propulsion and life support systems as backup functions for the CCM 48 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 49 For the scientific payload the LCM is equipped with multiple internal science racks and 22 payload adapters on the exterior for various types of experiments 50 Aside from scientific equipment the module features three additional living quarters designed for short term stay which will be used during crew rotation 51 Wentian was launched and docked with the Tianhe on 24 July 2022 52 The second LCM Mengtian was launched on 31 October 2022 The Mengtian module is equipped with expanded in orbit experiment capacity 53 The module is divided into multiple sections including the pressurised crew working compartment the unpressurised cargo section the cargo airlock on orbit release mechanism as well as the control module section featuring external experiment adapters a communication antenna and two solar arrays 27 In total it carries 13 experimental racks and 37 external payload adapters 54 The cargo airlock is specifically designed for conveying payloads from inside the station to the exterior 54 Both LCMs provide a pressurised 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 55 Overall Wentian prioritises life science while the Mengtian focus on microgravity experiments 54 The axial port of the LCMs is fitted with rendezvous equipment for docking at the axial port of the CCM A mechanical arm called the indexing robotic arm externally resembling the Lyappa arm used on the Mir space station moves Wentian LCM to the starboard side and the Mengtian LCM module to a port side port of the CCM 56 The Indexing robot arms differentiate from the Lyappa arm as they are used when docking is needed in the same plane while the Lyappa arm controls the pitch of the spacecraft to re dock it at a different plane The Chinarm on the Tianhe module can be used as a backup for docking relocation 57 58 Module Launch time and International Designator Launch vehicle Docking date and position Length Diameter Mass On orbit Image Illustration Ground 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 22 500 kg 49 600 lb nbsp nbsp The Tianhe core module prior to launch 2021 The Tianhe core module consists of three sections the living quarters the service section and a docking hub 59 60 Wentian module 24 July 2022 06 22 32 UTC 2022 085A Long March 5B Y3 24 July 2022 19 13 UTC 61 Front docking 30 September 2022 04 44 UTC 62 Front Starboard side of the Tianhe core module 17 9 m 59 ft 63 4 2 m 14 ft 23 200 kg 51 100 lb nbsp nbsp The Wentian laboratory cabin module prior to launch 2022 The first 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 EVA airlock that serves as the station s main exit for spacewalks and a 5 meter long robotic arm 60 Mengtian module 31 October 2022 07 37 23 UTC 2022 143A Long March 5B Y4 27 31 October 2022 20 27 UTC 55 Front docking 3 November 2022 01 32 UTC 64 Front Larboard side of the Tianhe core module 17 9 m 59 ft 63 4 2 m 14 ft 23 000 kg 51 000 lb nbsp nbsp The Mengtian laboratory cabin module prior to launch 2022 The second lab module It has a cargo airlock and payload transportation system 60 Systems edit nbsp Deployment of flexible solar arrays on Tianhe core module nbsp 15 m combined robotic arm on Tiangong nbsp Indexing Robot Arm on Wentian Communication edit The real time communications including live audio and video links are provided by the Tianlian II series of data relay satellites A constellation of three satellites was launched into geostationary orbits providing communication and data support for the station 65 Docking edit Tiangong is fitted with the 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 66 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 67 68 69 It has a circular transfer passage that has a diameter of 800 mm 31 in 70 71 The androgynous variant has a mass of 310 kg and the non androgynous variant has a mass of 200 kg 72 The Chinese Docking Mechanism was used for the first time on Shenzhou 8 and Tiangong 1 space stations and will be used on future Chinese space stations and with future CMSA cargo resupply vehicles 73 67 Power supply edit 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 74 Propulsion edit 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 75 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 crewed mission safety in mind with effort to prevent erosion and damage caused by the accelerated ion particles 76 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 ran continuously for 8 240 hours without a glitch during the testing phase indicating its suitability for Tiangong s designated 15 year lifespan 76 These are the world s first Hall thrusters to be used on a human rated mission 77 78 Robotic arms edit The Tiangong station features five robotic arms The longest one is the 10 meter long ISS Canadian style SSRMS robotic arm nicknamed Chinarm mounted on the Tianhe core module 79 The Wentian module features a smaller 5 m 16 ft long SSRMS robotic arm that is 5 times more accurate in positioning than the Chinarm The Wentian arm is primarily used to transfer extravehicular experiments and other hardware outside the station during astronaut EVAs A dual arm connector is installed on the Chinarm providing it the capability to link with the Wentian robotic arm extending its reach and weight carrying limits 80 The Mengtian module carries a payload release mechanism 54 installed to assist in cargo transfer 27 The robotic arm can retrieve experiments from the cargo airlock then install them onto the external adapters fitted on the module exterior 81 It can also be used to launch microsatellites 27 82 Two Indexing robotic arms developed by the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology 83 are fitted on top of docking ports for the two laboratory modules to help relocate them during construction 56 57 Co orbit modules edit Spacecraft a Launch time and International Designator Launch vehicle Operational date Notes Length Diameter Mass On orbit Image Illustration Xuntian Space Station Telescope 2025 Planned Long March 5B Y5 Planned 2025 Planned Will share the same orbit and periodically dock with Tiangong 14 m 46 ft 84 4 5 m 15 ft 15 500 kg 34 200 lb 84 nbsp Planned independent Chinese space station telescope currently under development It will feature a 2 metre 6 6 ft 79 in 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 for maintenance 85 Construction editPlanning edit In 2011 it was announced that the future space station was planned to be assembled from 2020 to 2022 86 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 87 By 2018 it was reported that this had slipped to 2020 2023 23 88 In February 2020 a total of 11 launches were planned for the whole construction phase beginning in 2021 89 90 In 2021 it was reported China National Space Administration planned to complete the construction of the space station in 2022 91 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 crewed spaceflight experiences including those gained from Tiangong 1 and Tiangong 2 prototypes 92 as well as the purchase of aerospace technology from Russia in the early 1990s 93 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 94 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 95 In accordance to the plan by the end of 2022 the fully assembled Tiangong space station had three 22 metric ton modules in a basic T shape 96 97 With the modular design the Tiangong space station can be further expanded into six modules prospectively enabling for more astronaut participation in the future 98 Assembly edit nbsp A Long March 5B launching the Tianhe core module in April 2021 nbsp Flexible solar array on Tianhe core module after deployment nbsp A Long March 5B launching the Wentian lab cabin module in July 2022 nbsp The module relocation process with rotation arm equipped by the Wentian lab cabin module The construction of the Chinese Space Station officially began in April 2021 The planned 11 missions include three module launches four crewed missions and four autonomous cargo flights 99 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 100 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 101 On 17 June 2021 Shenzhou 12 team docked with the space station marking them the first visitors to the Tiangong station 102 The first crew mission began the examination of the core module and verification of key technologies 103 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 equipment 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 104 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 105 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 106 107 The crew landed in the Gobi Desert of Inner Mongolia on the same day 108 Tianzhou 3 cargo spacecraft which arrived at the launch facility a month earlier 109 was immediately rolled out onto the launch pad for the next supply mission 107 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 110 The Shenzhou 13 was the first six month mission on the Tiangong station whereas previous Shenzhou 12 was only three months in length 111 The Shenzhou 13 docked with the space station on 15 October 2021 112 113 114 Missions for the Shenzhou 13 crew included orbit experiments spacewalks and for the station s future expansion 115 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 116 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 80 During spacewalks various preparations were performed on the robotic arm for manipulation and construction of future modules 80 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 117 They also practiced various movements with the help of Chinarm controlled by the monitoring astronaut Wang Yaping inside the station 118 During the construction phase of the station in 2021 according to documents filed by China Manned Space Agency 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 119 120 121 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 79 On January 13 the crew tested the emergency docking system by controlling the cargo spacecraft manually 122 In March 2022 Shenzhou 13 crew began the preparation to undock from the space station 123 The crew landed in China on 16 April 2022 after staying 182 days in the low Earth orbit 124 125 Soon afterward China launched Tianzhou 4 cargo spacecraft in preparation for the next crewed mission in May 126 The automated freighter docked with the space station on 9 May 2022 and carried vital maintenance equipment and a refrigerator for scientific experiment 127 nbsp Astronaut Zhai Zhigang of Shenzhou 13 crew performing spacewalk on Tiangong Space Station on November 7 2021 nbsp Astronaut Fei Junlong of Shenzhou 15 crew performing spacewalk on Tiangong Space Station on February 9 2023 nbsp A Long March 5B launching the Mengtian lab cabin module in October 2022 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 128 On 5 June 2022 Shenzhou 14 crew arrived at the space station 129 docking at the Earth facing nadir port 130 Shenzhou 14 crew will begin the assembly for both Wentian and Mengtian modules arriving in second half of the year 130 The crew installed carbon dioxide reduction system for the space station tested Feitian spacesuits and debugged Tianhe core module 131 On 19 July 2022 Tianzhou 3 was undocked from the station making way for the arrival of the Wentian module 132 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 133 48 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 49 The module also feature backup avionics propulsion and life support systems improving Tiangong space station s operational redundancy 48 134 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 135 50 On 17 September 2022 astronauts Chen Dong and Cai Xuzhe performed the second spacewalk installing external pumps and verified emergency rescue capability 136 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 on 30 September 2022 at 04 44 UTC 137 The relocation process was largely automated with the assistance of the Indexing robotic arm 138 In October 2022 CMSA prepared to launch the third and final module Mengtian to complete the construction for the Tiangong space station 98 139 On 31 October 2022 Mengtian module was launched from the Wenchang space center 140 and docked with the station 13 hours later 55 141 142 The assembly of the Mengtian marks the final step in the 1 5 year construction process 143 144 145 According to China Academy of Space Technology the rendezvous and docking process for Mengtian was conducted expeditiously as then L shaped Tiangong station consumed large amount of energy to stay oriented in its asymmetrical arrangement 81 On 3 November 2022 Mengtian was relocated autonomously from the forward docking port to port side lateral docking port via Indexing robotic arm and successfully berthed at its planned permanent location with Tianhe module at 01 32UTC 9 32BJT forming a T shape 146 Subsequently CMSA announced the construction of the Tiangong space station is officially complete 147 Designer of Mengtian module Li Guangxing explained the space station was maneuvered to a special position utilizing the Earth s gravity to help stabilize the docking process 147 At 07 12UTC The Shenzhou 14 crew entered the Mengtian module 147 148 On 10 November 2022 Tianzhou 4 cargo spacecraft undocked from the Tiangong and Tianzhou 5 was prepared to launch on the same day 149 Tianzhou 5 was launched on 12 November 2022 carrying supplies experiments and microsatellites to the space station 150 151 It also contained gifts for China s first crew handover ceremony in orbit 152 The completed station had extra capacity for expanded crew activities and living space for six allowing crew rotation 153 On 29 November 2022 the Shenzhou 15 crew Fei Junlong Deng Qingming and Zhang Lu 154 was launched to the space station 155 The crew spent one week together for handover and verification for sustainable six man operations 156 157 With the crew rotation operation China commenced its permanent space presence 158 159 160 Expansion edit nbsp Possible future expansion of Tiangong space station According to CMSA the Tiangong space station is expected to be expanded from three to six modules 140 161 with improved versions of the Tianhe Wentian and Mengtian modules 161 According to Wang Xiang commander of the space station system at the China Academy of Space Technology CAST the potential next phase would be adding a new core module Following our current design we can continue to launch an extension module to dock with the forward section of the space station and the extension module can carry a new hub for docking with the subsequent space vehicles Wang told CCTV 162 163 In October 2023 CAST presented new plan on the 74th International Astronautical Congress to expand the Tiangong to 180 tons six module assembly with at least 15 years of operational life 164 A multi functional module with six docking ports was planned as the foundation for the expansion New sections included 3D printers robots improved robotic arms and space debris observation detection and warning systems 165 The Xuntian space telescope module is planned to be launch in 2025 28 International co operation editSee also Wolf Amendment and Politics of the International Space Station China China s incentive to build its own space station was amplified after US Congress prohibited NASA from any direct engagement amp cooperation with CNSA thus effectively prohibiting any Chinese participation in the International Space Station ISS in 2011 166 although China Russia and Europe mutually vowed intentions to maintain a cooperative and multilateral approach in space 167 Between 2007 and 2011 the space agencies of Russia Europe and China carried out the ground based preparations in the Mars500 project which complement the ISS based preparations for a human mission to Mars 168 Tiangong has involved cooperation with France Sweden and Russia 169 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 170 In November 2011 the China National Space Administration and the Italian Space Agency signed an initial cooperative agreement covering areas of collaboration within space transportation telecommunications Earth observation and so on 171 On 22 February 2017 the CMSA and the Italian Space Agency ASI signed an agreement to cooperate on long term human spaceflight activities 172 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 173 The European Space Agency ESA started human spaceflight training with CMSA in 2017 with the ultimate goal of sending ESA astronauts to Tiangong 174 To prepare for the future missions selected ESA astronauts lived together with their Chinese counterparts and engaged in training sessions such as splashes down survival language learning and spacecraft operations 175 176 However in January 2023 ESA announced that the agency will not send its astronauts to China s space station due to political and financial reasons 177 In 2019 an Italian experiment High Energy cosmic Radiation Detection HERD was scheduled on board the Chinese station 178 In 2019 international experiments were selected by the CMSA and the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs UNOOSA in a UN session 42 applications were submitted and 9 experiments were accepted 179 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 180 Canadian Professor Dr Tricia Larose of the University of Oslo has been developing a cutting edge cancer research experiment for the station 181 The 31 day experiment is to research whether weightlessness has a positive effect in stopping cancer growth 182 The High Energy Cosmic Ray Detector project is conducted by a 200 scientists team from Europe mainland China Hong Kong and Taiwan 147 Under UNOOSA framework Tiangong is also expected to host experiments from Belgium France Germany India Italy Japan Mexico the Netherlands Peru Russia Saudi Arabia and Spain 180 involving 23 institutions and 17 countries 35 183 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 184 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 185 In October 2022 the station opened its selection process to Hong Kong and Macau the two special administrative regions of China 157 186 Life aboard editCrew activities edit nbsp Astronaut Nie Haisheng doing running exercise on Tiangong Space Station nbsp Interior of Wentian lab module at Tiangong Space Station Astronauts on the Tiangong station follow China Standard Time CST for their daily schedule The crew often wakes up around 7 00 and begins their daily conference with Mission Control in Beijing before starting work at 08 00 00 00UTC The crew will then follow their planned schedule until 21 00 after which they report their work process to Mission Control At 13 30 astronauts enter their living quarters to take a nap which typically takes an hour The crew also has multiple breaks for eating and resting 187 The Tiangong station features a lighting scene function to simulate lighting conditions on Earth including daylight dusk and night As the station experiences 16 sunrises and sunsets per day in low Earth orbit this function helps to avoid disruption to the crew s circadian rhythm 187 188 The Tiangong space station is fitted with home automation functions including remote controlled appliances and a logistics management system 188 The crew can use their tablet computers to identify locate and organize items inside the station as all items in the station are marked by QR codes This will help ensure an orderly environment as more cargo arrives 188 Inter device communication inside the station is completely wireless via the Wi Fi network to avoid cord mess 188 Food and personal hygiene edit See also Space food and Sleep in space 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 fruit 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 table for food preparation a refrigerator a water dispenser and the first ever microwave oven in spaceflight 187 189 190 so that astronauts can always have hot food whenever they need 191 192 Following the astronauts feedback larger supplies of vegetables were included since Tianzhou 4 making the variety of vegetable increased to 32 193 The station s core module Tianhe provides the living quarters for the crew members 194 195 consisting of three separate sleeping berths 196 a space toilet shower facility and gym equipment 197 Each berth features one small circular window 198 a headphone set ventilation and other amenities 199 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 200 201 The ventilation system provides air circulation to the crew with 0 08m s wind speed for the working areas and 0 05 m s for the sleeping stations 188 Three additional living quarters for short term stay are located in the Wentian laboratory module 51 Operations editSince 5 June 2022 Tiangong has been a permanently crewed station typically staffed with a crew of 3 people but capable of supporting up to 6 people 8 1 After the completion of the station in November 2022 it housed a crew of 6 people for the first time for 5 days during the crew rotation from Shenzhou 14 to Shenzhou 15 in December 2022 1 Operations are controlled from the Beijing Aerospace Flight Control Center in China To guarantee the safety of astronauts on board a Long March 2F G with a Shenzhou spacecraft will always be on standby for an emergency rescue mission 202 Crewed missions edit Main article Shenzhou spacecraft nbsp First gathering of two Chinese astronaut crews Shenzhou 14 and 15 on Tiangong on November 30 2022 The first crewed mission to Tiangong Shenzhou 12 lasted 90 days Starting with Shenzhou 13 subsequent missions have had a normal duration of about 180 days 203 CMSA has announced the testing of the Mengzhou 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 According to CMSA officials the new capsule design is larger than the Shenzhou Mengzhou 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 204 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 204 Cargo resupply edit Main article Tianzhou spacecraft nbsp Cargo packages loaded on Tianzhou spacecraft Tianzhou Heavenly Vessel a modified derivative of the Tiangong 1 spacecraft is used as robotic cargo spacecraft to resupply this station 205 The launch mass of Tianzhou is around 13 000 kg with a payload of around 6 000 kg 206 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 standardizations 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 207 List of missions edit See also List of human spaceflights in Tiangong Program List of human spaceflights to the Tiangong space station and List of Tiangong Space Station expeditions 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 Uncrewed cargo spacecraft are in light blue colour Crewed spacecraft are in light green colour Modules are in beige colour Launchdate UTC Docking date UTC Undocking date UTC Result Spacecraft Module Launch vehicle Launch site Launch provider Docking berthing port Duration b 29 April 2021 03 23 15 5 N A N A Success Tianhe Long March 5B nbsp Wenchang LC 1 nbsp CASC N A 29 May 2021 12 55 29 208 29 May 2021 21 01 209 27 March 2022 07 59 Tianzhou 2 Long March 7 nbsp Wenchang LC 2 nbsp CASC Tianhe port c 301 days 10 hours and 58 minutes 17 June 2021 01 22 27 210 17 June 2021 07 54 210 16 September 2021 00 56 211 Shenzhou 12 Long March 2F G nbsp Jiuquan SLS 1 nbsp CASC Tianhe forward 90 days 14 hours and 8 minutes 20 September 2021 07 10 11 212 213 20 September 2021 14 08 214 17 July 2022 02 59 Tianzhou 3 Long March 7 nbsp Wenchang LC 2 nbsp CASC Tianhe forward d 299 days 12 hours and 51 minutes 15 October 2021 16 23 56 215 216 15 October 2021 22 56 217 15 April 2022 16 44 218 Shenzhou 13 Long March 2F G nbsp Jiuquan SLS 1 nbsp CASC Tianhe nadir 181 days 14 hours and 46 minutes 9 May 2022 17 56 37 219 10 May 2022 00 54 9 November 2022 06 55 Tianzhou 4 Long March 7 nbsp Wenchang LC 2 nbsp CASC Tianhe aft 183 days 6 hours and 1 minute 5 June 2022 02 44 10 220 5 June 2022 09 42 4 December 2022 03 01 Shenzhou 14 Long March 2F G nbsp Jiuquan SLS 1 nbsp CASC Tianhe nadir 181 days 14 hours and 11 minutes 24 July 2022 06 22 32 221 222 24 July 2022 19 13 61 N A Wentian Long March 5B nbsp Wenchang LC 1 nbsp CASC Tianhe starboard e 31 October 2022 07 37 23 191 222 31 October 2022 20 27 N A Mengtian Long March 5B nbsp Wenchang LC 1 nbsp CASC Tianhe port f 12 November 2022 02 03 12 374 223 224 12 November 2022 04 10 11 September 202308 46 Tianzhou 5 Long March 7 nbsp Wenchang LC 2 nbsp CASC Tianhe forward g 303 days 4 hours and 36 minutes 29 November 2022 15 08 17 225 29 November 2022 21 42 226 3 June 2023 13 29 Shenzhou 15 Long March 2F G nbsp Jiuquan SLS 1 nbsp CASC Tianhe forward 185 days 13 hours and 56 minutes 10 May 2023 13 22 51 405 227 10 May 2023 21 16 12 January 2024 08 02 Tianzhou 6 Long March 7 nbsp Wenchang LC 2 nbsp CASC Tianhe aft 246 days 10 hours and 46 minutes 30 May 2023 01 31 13 227 30 May 2023 08 29 30 October 2023 12 37 228 Shenzhou 16 Long March 2F G nbsp Jiuquan LA 4 nbsp CASC Tianhe nadir 153 days 2 hours and 15 minutes 26 October 2023 03 14 02 229 26 October 2023 09 46 30 April 2024 00 43 230 Shenzhou 17 Long March 2F G nbsp Jiuquan LA 4 nbsp CASC Tianhe forward 186 days 13 hours and 9 minutes 17 January 2024 14 27 30 728 231 17 January 2024 17 46 TBD Tianzhou 7 Long March 7 nbsp Wenchang LC 2 nbsp CASC Tianhe aft 25 April 2024 12 59 00 479 232 25 April 2024 19 32 233 TBD Shenzhou 18 Long March 2F G nbsp Jiuquan SLS 1 nbsp CASC Tianhe nadir 2025 28 N A N A Planned Xuntian Long March 5B nbsp Wenchang LC 1 nbsp CASC N A End of mission edit Tiangong is designed to be used for 10 years though it could be extended to 15 years 234 and will accommodate three astronauts 235 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 87 Visibility editSimilar to the ISS the Tiangong space station can also be seen from Earth with the naked eye due to sunlight illumination reflected off the modules and solar panels reaching a brightness magnitude of at least 2 2 mag 236 In popular culture editA predecessor the Tiangong 1 space laboratory and the International Space Station are subjects in the 2013 feature film Gravity 237 Near the end of the Netflix original animated film Over the Moon 2020 a red dragon is depicted playing with Tiangong space station Notes edit Excludes visiting cargo like Tianzhou and crew vehicles like Shenzhou that are meant for supplementing the space 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title Tiangong space station amp oldid 1221630721, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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