Last I read, the complex is to be (confusingly) called 'Tiangong'.
It is rumored in Chinese aerospace forum that LM-5 core stage engine YF-77 failed again in a static fire test on 27 April 2019, and it was determined to be caused by a design flaw in the LOx turbopump which could not be fixed. It is also rumored that LM-5 return to flight is postponed indefinitely. If the rumor turns out to be true, Change-5,6, Mars exploration mission, and the space station will also be delayed indefinitely.Anyone can confirm the current status of LM-5 program and YF-77 engine problem? Thanks.source:https://tieba.baidu.com/p/6151776118https://tieba.baidu.com/p/6160324628
It is rumored in Chinese aerospace forum that LM-5 core stage engine YF-77 failed again in a static fire test on 27 April 2019, and it was determined to be caused by a design flaw in the LOx turbopump which could not be fixed. It is also rumored that LM-5 return to flight is postponed indefinitely. If the rumor turns out to be true, Change-5,6, Mars exploration mission, and the space station will also be delayed indefinitely.Can anyone confirm the current status of LM-5 program and YF-77 engine problem? Thanks.source:https://tieba.baidu.com/p/6151776118https://tieba.baidu.com/p/6160324628
Surely, it would just be a case of redesigning the 'LOX Turbopump fault' and flying again when the problem is resolved - however long that takes? I doubt the Chinese space agency would just shelve something for good when a problem could be fixed.
Quote from: MATTBLAK on 06/15/2019 02:59 amSurely, it would just be a case of redesigning the 'LOX Turbopump fault' and flying again when the problem is resolved - however long that takes? I doubt the Chinese space agency would just shelve something for good when a problem could be fixed.The engines originate from Ukraine but are licensed built in China with China receiving the knowledge to build successor engines since they had no prior hydrolox booster engine experience so fixes are much more involved.Or I may be thinking YF-100 but I think I recall that both are Ukrainian tech or YF-77 is Russian.
https://twitter.com/ShuttleAlmanac/status/1164511704752877574China has not one but two Tianhe Space Stations. That two Mir-like Stations awaiting launch. Following Soviet protocol of always having a backup Station incase you lose one in launch.
A core module prototype of China's space station and a prototype of China's new-generation manned spacecraft arrived at the launch site in south China's Hainan Province after a week of ocean and rail transport, the China Manned Space Engineering Office (CMSEO) announced Monday.The core module will take part in joint rehearsals with the Long March-5B carrier rocket at the Wenchang Space Launch Center while the new manned spacecraft will be launched by the rocket's maiden flight in the first half of this year.This means the building of China's space station in space will begin soon, the CMSEO said.The core module, named Tianhe (harmony of the heavens), will function as the command and control center of the space station. It is 16.6 meters long with a diameter of 4.2 meters and a takeoff weight of 22.5 tonnes.As the largest spacecraft ever developed by China, Tianhe will accommodate three astronauts and serve as a space laboratory to carry out scientific research and technological verifications, the CMSEO said...
In order to conduct the microgravity combustion experiments in China Manned Space Station, it is necessary to establish an onboard combustion science experiment system. With the experimental study of microgravity combustion, it is beneficial to expand the depth and breadth of combustion research and promote the development of combustion science. According to the functions to be realized and the requirements of combustion experiments, the design and analysis of the experimental system for combustion science rack are carried out. The combustion experiment system consists of eight subsystems, which is a comprehensive experiment system that is suitable for combustion experiments with gas, liquid and solid fuels, respectively. In consideration of the strength design requirements, after the completion of the scheme design, the finite element analysis of the system is carried out, and the mechanical environment experiment is completed with the developed structural setup. The experimental and analytical results show that the design can meet the requirements of the environment simulation experimental outline, and is reasonable and feasible for space experiments.
"After completing unmanned tests of the Tianhe main module, in a near-earth orbit, a Tianzhou-2 cargo spacecraft will be launched, which will deliver fuel and other supplies to the space station base module. After docking and supply delivery is ensured, to Tianhe and Tianzhou- 2, Shenzhou-12, a manned spacecraft, will be launched, "said Zhang Bainan, chief designer of the Chinese manned spacecraft program, in an interview with Science and Technology Daily.
From XinhuaMore details of China's space station unveiled.
The Long March-5B rocket will carry into space the core module and lab capsules, as well as a capsule holding a 2-meter-caliber optical telescope, which will fly in the same orbit as the space station.The telescope capsule, named Xuntian, is expected to provide observation data for astronomical and physical studies to help scientists better understand the universe. During its expected 10-year operation, it will be able to observe over 40 percent of the sky, said Zhou.The capsule can dock with the space station for maintenance and refueling.
