Next, a query that needs someone who knows the Chinese language well. China is a predominantly atheist country and therefore the use of "Heavenly" as part of spacecraft names seems to be rather strange. I am wondering whether what we translate as "heavenly" might convey something like "beyond the atmosphere" (ie, outer space) rather than having religious associations. Same with "divine" as part of the Shenzhou name.
Time to revive this snoozing thread methinks! Next, a query that needs someone who knows the Chinese language well. China is a predominantly atheist country and therefore the use of "Heavenly" as part of spacecraft names seems to be rather strange. I am wondering whether what we translate as "heavenly" might convey something like "beyond the atmosphere" (ie, outer space) rather than having religious associations. Same with "divine" as part of the Shenzhou name.
Time to revive this snoozing thread methinks! A couple of queries for which someone might know the answer.When the names for the components of the Tiangong Complex (as I call the station) appeared, the second plug-on module was given the name Xuntian but the latest data show that the name is actually to be Mangtian, with the free-flying space telescope being Xuntian. I am wondering whether there has been a genuine name switch for the second module or what there was a bureaucratic blunder which led to the "Xuntian" name being applied to the wrong piece of the Tiangong Complex "kit" when the first details were released and this error simply got repeated in other literature. Thoughts anyone?Next, a query that needs someone who knows the Chinese language well. China is a predominantly atheist country and therefore the use of "Heavenly" as part of spacecraft names seems to be rather strange. I am wondering whether what we translate as "heavenly" might convey something like "beyond the atmosphere" (ie, outer space) rather than having religious associations. Same with "divine" as part of the Shenzhou name.I would be interested in any thoughts about this as well please.Many thanks in advance.
Quote from: Phillip Clark on 03/20/2017 08:23 amWhen the names for the components of the Tiangong Complex (as I call the station) appeared, the second plug-on module was given the name Xuntian but the latest data show that the name is actually to be Mangtian, with the free-flying space telescope being Xuntian.Using http://www.chinesetools.eu/tools/zhuyin/ the transliteration of 梦天 is Meng Tian, not Mang Tian.
When the names for the components of the Tiangong Complex (as I call the station) appeared, the second plug-on module was given the name Xuntian but the latest data show that the name is actually to be Mangtian, with the free-flying space telescope being Xuntian.
It is not "梦天", but "問天". "問" means "ask". Therefore, "問天" probably means Chinese are curious about the Nature and they want to figure out how it works.
Quote from: frensel on 03/23/2017 12:16 amIt is not "梦天", but "問天". "問" means "ask". Therefore, "問天" probably means Chinese are curious about the Nature and they want to figure out how it works.I only copied what was given from a Chinese presentation.
You are right. It seems that this is the new name of the second space laboratory. "問天" is the name of the first laboratory module.
Do we know for certain the diameters of the large cylinders on Tianhe, Wentian and Mengtian? I have seen some suggest 4.2 metres which is the same as the Salyut and Mir stations, but I have not seen a Chinese source for this.
Quote from: Phillip Clark on 03/28/2017 06:47 amDo we know for certain the diameters of the large cylinders on Tianhe, Wentian and Mengtian? I have seen some suggest 4.2 metres which is the same as the Salyut and Mir stations, but I have not seen a Chinese source for this.Somewhat larger I suspect, as the Proton fairing is 4.35 m whereas the CZ-5's is 5.2 m
Do I see a Lyappa fixture?https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lyappa_arm
Maybe this was already discussed earlier/elsewhere, but won't the Chinese station be subject to mutual shadowing of the solar arrays? If I recall correctly, Mir had the same problem.
I have just been nosing around on the Chinese site https://www.chinaspaceflight.com/China-Launch-Schedule.html and it has this list of launches in the Tiangong Complex programme:2019 Tianhe 1, Tianzhou 2, Shenzhou 122020 Wentian, Tianzhou 3, Shenzhou 132021 Mengtian, Tianzhou 4, Shenzhou 142022 Tianzhou 5, Shenzhou 15, Xuntian (free-flying telescope)Based upon this listing the Chinese are only planning one visit to the Tiangong Complex a year as it evolves, and I would guess that these visits might start with a 2-3 months residency and over 2-3 years build up to six months as the standard residency. Clearly the Chinese are not planning to permanently occupy the station during the initial years - maybe that will come once all three modules are docked together around 2022?In 2022 there is mention of a CZ-5B launch of "巡天号光学舱" which Google translates as "skylight optics cabin" - any ideas? Maybe it's not connected with the Tiangong Complex, of course.
Quote from: Phillip Clark on 04/28/2017 04:48 pmI have just been nosing around on the Chinese site https://www.chinaspaceflight.com/China-Launch-Schedule.html and it has this list of launches in the Tiangong Complex programme:2019 Tianhe 1, Tianzhou 2, Shenzhou 122020 Wentian, Tianzhou 3, Shenzhou 132021 Mengtian, Tianzhou 4, Shenzhou 142022 Tianzhou 5, Shenzhou 15, Xuntian (free-flying telescope)Based upon this listing the Chinese are only planning one visit to the Tiangong Complex a year as it evolves, and I would guess that these visits might start with a 2-3 months residency and over 2-3 years build up to six months as the standard residency. Clearly the Chinese are not planning to permanently occupy the station during the initial years - maybe that will come once all three modules are docked together around 2022?In 2022 there is mention of a CZ-5B launch of "巡天号光学舱" which Google translates as "skylight optics cabin" - any ideas? Maybe it's not connected with the Tiangong Complex, of course.That's the Xuntian free-flying telescope you just listed above.
"This again announces the ambition and aspiration of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese people, and our resolute confidence in becoming a major space power," the space station project's supervisor Wang Zhaoyao told a news briefing in Beijing."After completing experimental stage spaceflight missions, we will enter the development and construction phase. According to our plans we will carry out the assembly and construction of China's manned space station between 2019 and 2022."