NASASpaceFlight.com Forum
International Space Flight (ESA, Russia, China and others) => Chinese Launchers => Topic started by: Phillip Clark on 09/23/2011 07:25 am
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Some discussions which I started on the Tiangong 1 thread were mis-interpreted as relating to Tianging 1 rather than the future module space station which the Chinese are planning, so I am starting a new thread here in the hope of preventing such confusion.
We all know by now that around 2020 the Chinese hope to start the construction of a modular space station, which could be their equivalent of Mir.
We know that there will be a core module and at least two permanent/long-term modules of a similar size - around 20-25 tonnes - launched by the CZ-5 vehicle.
A Shenzhou is shown at the front longitudinal port, having taken three people (I assume) to the station. At the back there is a cargo freighter, derived from the Tiangong module.
This configuration appears in both still images like the one which I am attaching and videos showing the assembly of the station.
The front of the core module appears to have five docking ports. The front longitudinal one is occupied by a Shenzhou - other than when a new module does the preliminary docking - and the two radial ports are occupied by the plug-on modules. What about the zenith and nadir ports? I have never seen any depictions of these being occupied by either a Shenzhou or a plug-on module.
On Mir the standard practive was to vacate the rear longitudinal port to allow a new Soyuz crew to dock there and when the older crew and Soyuz returned to Earth the new Soyuz would move to the front port, allowing the rear port to be used once more by Progress cargo freighters. (Pause: yes, I know that there were exceptions, but I am talking in overall terms here.)
Therefore it would be reasonable that if the Chinese station were to be permanently occupied like Mir a used Tiangong-class module would be discarded from the rear port and the new Shenzhou docked there, and be relocated after the original crew returns to Earth. If the Chinese go for six months residencies then one Tiangong cargo freighter should be enough to keep them supplied.
So, why the zenith and nadir docking ports at the front of the core module? Maybe one could be used as an EVA hatch - but then again the Shenzhou orbital module could be used the same way if the Chinese want to do that. Maybe the Chinese are keeping open the option of having four radial plug-on modules, as Mir had?
Of course, in the next nine years the design of this station will surely changeand these questions will be answered.
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I would suggest specifying the "Chinese" space station in the title. We already have a modular space station which should be in orbit in 2020, for example. Also, Bieglow may have a modular space station in orbit by then, and so on...
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There are several depictions of all docking ports occupied:
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I would suggest specifying the "Chinese" space station in the title. We already have a modular space station which should be in orbit in 2020, for example. Also, Bieglow may have a modular space station in orbit by then, and so on...
Since this section is for Chinese launches and space programmes I thought people would take it for granted that I meant a Chinese module space station.
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There are several depictions of all docking ports occupied:
Thank you for posting these pictures.
I had seen the display picture before, but since a similar display showed a Shenzhou with solar panels docked at the smaller module of Tiangong 1, I wonder about their accuracy.
I had not seen to second picture before at all.
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Sorry, when I pull up "unread items" on the mobile site it doesn't list the thread location. $
Hence my suggestion.
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Deviating slightly from the title (is there a way to amend the title to "The Chinese Modular Space Station - circa 2020" to avoid confusion?), what can we look forward to in the Chinese programme?
Since Tiangong 1 will be hosting two crews next year then I assume that its operating lifetime wll be around 12-18 months. If the real future role of Tiangong is to to be a cargo freighter then you don't need multi-year operating times, as we saw with Salyuts 6/7. Six-nine months for each freighter would be reasonable, depending upon the stay times of the crews on te modular station.
On this basis, I would assume that Tiangongs 2 and 3 will be very much like Tiangong 1, launched at intervals of around 2-3 years. Maybe extending the in-orbit stay of the crews, varying experiments, gaining more EVA experience perhaps.
What would be nice - and it would need a redesign of Tiangong as we see it now - would be for Tiangong 3 to have a second docking port and then host a test flight of the cargo freighter version while there's a crew on board.
One element of a space station programme does seem to be missing from the Chinese discussions. From what has been published the Chinese plan to go from the Tiangong-based spacelab to the modular space station, without having a Salyut 6/7 equivalent. This is surprising since the CZ-5 will be available for the launch of such a 20-25 tonnes station from te middle of this decade.
Of course, it is possible that the Chinese are planning such a mission after Tiangong 3 but they just aren't talking about it yet.
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AFAIK, Tiangong-3 is planned to be redesigned to have two docking ports. (I have read this somewhere, but forgot where I read it. Sorry.)
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I have just come across the attached illustration at the following web site:
http://english.people.com.cn/102775/202988/index.html
This shows a Shenzhou at both the front and rear longitudinal ports of the core module, one apparently at the nadir port, a Tiangong (cargo freighter variant?) and the zenith port and the two experiment modules, approximately the same size as the core module.
I don't think I have seen this specific configuration before. Of course, if we consider the three large modules (core and two experiment modules) as fixed, then the Shenzhous and Tiangongs can go anywhere!
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@ Phillip Clark,
Depending on the accuracy of this illustration, TG-3's experimental modules look like their TG-1 heritage designs (OML at least). That picture seems to have a single SZ crew ferry and two SZ cargo ships (one on core aft and one on node nadir).
Of course, a lot can change in a decade.
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@ Phillip Clark,
Depending on the accuracy of this illustration, TG-3's experimental modules look like their TG-1 heritage designs (OML at least). That picture seems to have a single SZ crew ferry and two SZ cargo ships (one on core aft and one on node nadir).
Of course, a lot can change in a decade.
I have always considered the experimental modules to be similar to Tiangong 1 but with a longer narrow-diameter section and probably with the propulsion system relocated to the rear of the large diameter section. Maybe they are simply variants of the core module's design?
Why have a cargo version of Shenzhou when Tiangong will do the job? I am wondering whether the picture that I posted is primarily a fiction and that the original pictures of the modular space station from 2007-2008 are the accurate ones.
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The Novosti Kosmonavtiki forum shows a new/alternative? design for the large space station: http://www.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=8751&start=645
More images at: http://www.mychinanet.com/newcarwen/archive/11977.aspx
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Could the spare ports be for experimental Luna landers?
Or a space tug
The potential of the Chinese space program over the next few decades is incredible = total goverment control combined with a GDP bigger than America and growing.
http://www.economist.com/node/21542155
It's estimated that China's GDP will reach the US level by 2017 so by the time this modular space station is finished in 2020 China will be comfortably the richest country in the world. Nasa has put off the US return to the moon until the end of the 2020s. By that time, will the US be able to catch up with China who plan to be on the moon by 2025?
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Some amazing new images lucspace !! :D
http://www.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=8751&start=645
http://www.mychinanet.com/newcarwen/archive/11977.aspx
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That's a bit of a beast of a station! :o
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A considerable amount of work has gone into these images. Is there any associated text to describe the origin of the images?
And I'm intrigued by the 'lego'-like wings on what appears to be an airlock module (3rd from last image) - any ideas as to what they are? Radiators?
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A considerable amount of work has gone into these images. Is there any associated text to describe the origin of the images?
And I'm intrigued by the 'lego'-like wings on what appears to be an airlock module (3rd from last image) - any ideas as to what they are? Radiators?
http://lt.cjdby.net/thread-1305670-1-1.html
Fan made.
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A considerable amount of work has gone into these images. Is there any associated text to describe the origin of the images?
And I'm intrigued by the 'lego'-like wings on what appears to be an airlock module (3rd from last image) - any ideas as to what they are? Radiators?
http://lt.cjdby.net/thread-1305670-1-1.html
Fan made.
So that's not what the station will really be?
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Chinese don't invent things. They copy it and make it from cheap materials. That station is a copy from old Russian technology. Although being an European, I think the US can top the Chinese easily just by constantly developing new tech AND keeping it a secret. This advice serves for space exploration and for your crappy cars.
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Chinese don't invent things. They copy it and make it from cheap materials. That station is a copy from old Russian technology. Although being an European, I think the US can top the Chinese easily just by constantly developing new tech AND keeping it a secret. This advice serves for space exploration and for your crappy cars.
That is a viable strategy and it has been proven to work (i.e. Microsoft). The real advantage for the Chinese is their long-term planning and constancy.
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I'm still unsure if the alternative design is an 'official' alternative, or just an enthusiasts idea. Anyone have a view?
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Chinese don't invent things. They copy it and make it from cheap materials. That station is a copy from old Russian technology. Although being an European, I think the US can top the Chinese easily just by constantly developing new tech AND keeping it a secret. This advice serves for space exploration and for your crappy cars.
You have no idea what's going on in China currently. You're phrase is full of wrong estimates. Simply check their university output of new engineers or their new high mark of new patents and you will see in which direction the Chinese economy is going.
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Chinese don't invent things. They copy it and make it from cheap materials. That station is a copy from old Russian technology. Although being an European, I think the US can top the Chinese easily just by constantly developing new tech AND keeping it a secret. This advice serves for space exploration and for your crappy cars.
You have no idea what's going on in China currently. You're phrase is full of wrong estimates. Simply check their university output of new engineers or their new high mark of new patents and you will see in which direction the Chinese economy is going.
Remember that China is not Hong Kong or Shanghai. It is a vast country where most people worked on farms 10 years ago.
All I see is tech copied from Russians. They have a lot of money, they are starting to outsource tech outside (I was asked to develop a cheap auto focus lenses 2y ago) but the general feeling is that they have too much cash in hand to bother developing on their own. I've worked with Chinese engineers and believe me that they have a very long way to go.
One of the worst thing about Chinese is that they are not assertive. You ask a Yes or No question and the guy starts talking about something else. That is so profound that even most their languages don't have past/present/future conjugation of verbs. I could give you examples all night, but the bottom line is that their peculiar way of thinking does not make a good engineer.
I had several conversations with Chinese engineers and it was very frustrating. Oh, and one of them tried to sell me an orphan, but that's another thing about them: money 1st, money 1st, money 1st.
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Here's some promotional stuff.
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Here's some engineering type models from the first half of last year. You can see some type of robotic arm on the Core Module and it looks like there's an airlock on Lab Module 1.
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There's a review of the subject by a China expert at
http://allthingsnuclear.org/post/25014808697/why-china-is-building-a-space-station
and a fuller version at
http://www.ucsusa.org/assets/documents/nwgs/why-china-is-building-a-space-station-06-12-12.pdf
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Here are some new graphics for the 2020 space station. Fast forward to 1:30 in the video below:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsobeAQSnNI
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All the material I have seen appears to indicate that there will be only two modules docked gto the core, but there appear to be four lateral docking ports. Is there any suggestion that they will be occupied at some stage? It would push the final mass from 60 tonnes to ~100, more with Shenzhou and the supply craft attached
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In which country were rockets invented? Where were man-carrying rockets first described?
Go on, guess!
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Whilst I started this thread with 2020 being the approximate date for China's modular space station, it isn't clear whether 2020 is the target date for the main core module to be launched, followed by the two main plug-on modules or whether 2020 is the target date for all three modules to have been launched and be operating.
Does anyone who can read original Chinese material clarify this? Of course, eight years into the future, probably the Chinese planners themselves do not know!
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Whilst I started this thread with 2020 being the approximate date for China's modular space station, it isn't clear whether 2020 is the target date for the main core module to be launched, followed by the two main plug-on modules or whether 2020 is the target date for all three modules to have been launched and be operating.
Does anyone who can read original Chinese material clarify this? Of course, eight years into the future, probably the Chinese planners themselves do not know!
The original announced completion year was 20202022. I think the core module should be launched some time around 2018. And I think the station weren't be end up only 60 tons. There are two unused docking ports, other "friendly" countries may contribute their own modules to the station as well.
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Whilst I started this thread with 2020 being the approximate date for China's modular space station, it isn't clear whether 2020 is the target date for the main core module to be launched, followed by the two main plug-on modules or whether 2020 is the target date for all three modules to have been launched and be operating.
Does anyone who can read original Chinese material clarify this? Of course, eight years into the future, probably the Chinese planners themselves do not know!
The original announced completion year was 20202022. I think the core module should be launched some time around 2018. And I think the station weren't be end up only 60 tons. There are two unused docking ports, other "friendly" countries may contribute their own modules to the station as well.
Won't Tiangong-3 serve as the core module?
I'm taking my info from Wikipedia. Tiangong-3 will have the size and
mass of each of the modules of the planned Modular Chinese Space Station. And according to Wikipedia, Tiangong-3 will be launched
around 2015.
So for at least five years it appears, Tiangong-3 will orbit without additional modules.
Leaves me wondering what the Chinese manned psace program plans to
do between 2015 and 2020?
Send an upgraded Shenzhou to circle the Moon?
Send one to a NEO asteroid?
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Just looking at the pictures of the station with the three modules, it looks like it is under powered, not enough solar panels.
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How much power is required depends on the experiments planned, some are more power hungry than others.
Basic life support isn't that demanding, about 1 kw per person, with some reycling of oxygen and water. To support three people you only need about a 7 kW array
Also remember the steady improvments in solar panel efficiency, now over 30% (over 40% in the lab). I don't know what efficiency those on Mir were but given the construction period I would guess about 15%
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I think the unknown here is launcher development.
The ISS was hobbled by utilising the Space Shuttle to launch many of its components.
I think the chinese will aim for a larger station (by volume) with less modules launched by larger rockets.
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I think the unknown here is launcher development.
The ISS was hobbled by utilising the Space Shuttle to launch many of its components.
I think the chinese will aim for a larger station (by volume) with less modules launched by larger rockets.
Fallacy
It wasn't the size of the shuttle that hobbled the ISS, it was that it was the only launcher.
ISS does not need more volume, nor did it need larger launchers
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Maybe the only launcher from USA perspective - but I thought the Russian Proton had a marginally larger capacity and was not constrained by the Cargo Bay size.
After all it launched some ISS components.
Assembly on ground in larger volume modules would have been cheaper than multiple modules which means multiple projects / launches and would have enabled the ISS to be completed sooner.
Maybe this way the ISS Centrifuge Accommodations Module would have made it to space.
As I said - it will be interesting to see the Chinese strategy unfold.
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Perhaps Tiangong 3 will be prepresentative of the size, mass of the modular station's core module, but I would expect this to be more akin to a "Salyut 6/7" station rather than a "Mir" core module.
This would mean that the Chinese could get basic experience with Tiangong 1 and Tiangong 2 (using a modificed TG 1 back-up module?), with Tiangong 3 allowing longer piloted missions with the cargo variant of Tiangong annually (?) taking supplies to the station.
Remember that the schedule for Tiangong 3 (in particular) and the modular station are dependent upon the early success of the CZ-5 class launch vehicles. Would the Chinese put Tiangong 3 on the very first CZ-5?
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Such an approach would make sense to me. It would also allow them to perfect multiple dockings and resupply.
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Assembly on ground in larger volume modules would have been cheaper than multiple modules which means multiple projects / launches and would have enabled the ISS to be completed sooner.
Unsubstantiated and basically wrong. There is no data to support your claim.
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Assembly on ground in larger volume modules would have been cheaper than multiple modules which means multiple projects / launches and would have enabled the ISS to be completed sooner.
Unsubstantiated and basically wrong. There is no data to support your claim.
Out of curiosity, do actual data exist which definitively support one point-of-view over the other?
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From page 86 of the August 2012 ESA Bulletin
http://esamultimedia.esa.int/multimedia/publications/ESA-Bulletin-151/offline/download.pdf
CREW TRANSPORTATION
International Berthing and Docking Mechanism (IBDM) IBDM dynamic testing was completed at SIRRIS in Leuven, Belgium. The results confirmed the feasibility of a design compatible with both NASA and Russian designs.
International Docking System Standard (IDSS)
Docking standardisation discussions continued with representatives of the Chinese Manned Space Engineering Office (CMSEO) at ESTEC in May. The Chinese have shown interest in discussing possible adaptations of their docking system to an international standard and to the joint definition of a new large-diameter mechanism, capable (like the IBDM) of docking and berthing, for the permanent connection of major modules of their Space Station. The exchanges on the development of docking systems with the Chinese showed that also China identified the need for a docking system that could work for space vehicles of various masses and deliver moderate impact loads.
An International Docking Systems Workshop at ESTEC in May involved about 30 experts (from USA, Europe, Canada, Russia, China and Japan), bringing together for the first time the IDSS partners from the ISS countries and new participants, offering an opportunity to enlarge the docking standardisation discussions to a new set of international partners (for example, China).
The need for a standard docking interface was reconfirmed and the design of ESAs IBDM system appeared as a very promising candidate for such a standard. ESA was asked to organise a follow-up workshop at the IAF Conference in October. Discussions with NASA and the Canadian Space Agency looked at the possible joint development of a new docking system based on the IBDM.
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The need for a standard docking interface was reconfirmed and the design of ESAs IBDM system appeared as a very promising candidate for such a standard...Discussions with NASA and the Canadian Space Agency looked at the possible joint development of a new docking system based on the IBDM.
Sounds like ESA is trying to give themselves much more credit than they deserve. Their "International Berthing Docking Mechanism" (IBDM) is simply an implementation of the International Docking System Standard (IDSS).
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All I see is tech copied from Russians. They have a lot of money, they are starting to outsource tech outside (I was asked to develop a cheap auto focus lenses 2y ago) but the general feeling is that they have too much cash in hand to bother developing on their own. I've worked with Chinese engineers and believe me that they have a very long way to go.
The Chinese have had LOX/LH2 upper stage engines for years now. The Russians still do not even though they developed one for the Indians which is supposed to be used in Angara.
If it is cheaper to buy a license rather than doing all the R&D from scratch why bother? Their technological gap is so wide that currently this is the best way of proceeding. Eventually they will start doing more things on their own.
Talk about cultural differences blocking R&D development are just that: talk. I have heard the same thing applied to Japan and South Korea. They have been proven wrong time and again. China has enough skilled people and resources to pull it off. They import a lot of tech, but so did Russia between WWI and WWII. They still managed to put Sputnik, Gagarin and Leonov in space.
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I think the unknown here is launcher development.
The ISS was hobbled by utilising the Space Shuttle to launch many of its components.
I think the chinese will aim for a larger station (by volume) with less modules launched by larger rockets.
Fallacy
It wasn't the size of the shuttle that hobbled the ISS, it was that it was the only launcher.
ISS does not need more volume, nor did it need larger launchers
Jim, I think he is thinking Skylab as the method of assembling a station. The Saturn V was able to put very large and very heavy components into orbit. If the equivillant of Skylab was to be assembled in orbit by shuttle, how many shuttle flights and EVAs would it have required? Whatever your answer is, I'm sure it would have required more flights and EVA time, costing more, while increasing risk.
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Won't Tiangong-3 serve as the core module?
I'm taking my info from Wikipedia. Tiangong-3 will have the size and
mass of each of the modules of the planned Modular Chinese Space Station. And according to Wikipedia, Tiangong-3 will be launched
around 2015.
So for at least five years it appears, Tiangong-3 will orbit without additional modules.
Leaves me wondering what the Chinese manned psace program plans to
do between 2015 and 2020?
Send an upgraded Shenzhou to circle the Moon?
Send one to a NEO asteroid?
Tiangong-3 will be launched around 2015,while core module of chinese future space station will be launched around 2018~2020
there isn't Human mission to Moon or NEO ,Cargo spacecraft will be docked with Tiangong-3
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There are some interesting statements about the Chinese Space Station plans in this blog/report by Clive Simpson, who was previously editor of 'Spaceflight'.
http://simcomm.blogspot.com/
Some of these comments were not previously know to me, and I don't think they had been explicitly stated by China:-
- The Chinese space station is expected to be completed and fully operational around 2020.
- The Space Station will conduct long-term man-tended operations with the nominal status of three crew who will alternate every half year
- The construction phase would see intermittent visits and stays depending on mission requirements and that some EVAs would be performed
- There will also be a cargo re-supply ship sent up to the orbiting complex between one and two times a year
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http://www.stdaily.com/stdaily/content/2012-11/30/content_546525.htm
论坛上,中国载人航天工程总师周建平介绍了空间站建设总体构想:在轨运营10年以上,基本构型为T字型,由3个22吨级舱段组成,核心舱居中,实验舱Ⅰ和实验舱Ⅱ分别连接于两侧。核心舱前端设两个对接口,接纳载人飞船对接和停靠;后端设后向对接口,作为货运飞船补给端口。站上设气闸舱用于航天员出舱,配置大小两个机械臂用于辅助对接、补给、出舱和科学实验。在空间站运营阶段,还将发射第二个核心舱进行前向对接,最终整站形成十字构型,并具备进一步的舱段扩展能力。
some statements of future modular space station circa 2020:
the space station will have two mechanical arms
baseline configuration: core module + experiment module 1 + experiment module 2
final configuration: core module + experiment module 1 + experiment module 2 + core module 2 (china version MIR?)
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This mockup of a "Mechanical Arm for Space Station" was exhibited at the China Airshow 2012 in Zhuhai in November:
(Sorry for the low quality of the pic of the artwork. It's just a cutout from the other picture, since I did not take a separate shot of the artwork.)
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From Xinhua, China's space station will be energy-efficient: lead designer (http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/china/2013-03/02/c_132202849.htm).
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From Xinhua, China's space station will be energy-efficient: lead designer (http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/china/2013-03/02/c_132202849.htm).
That notes,
The green technologies to be applied in the station will raise its recycling rate and reduce its reliance on input from the ground.
For example, waste water and urine will be used to extract oxygen, and carbon dioxide and other human waste will also be recycled, Zhou said.
Which, interpreted optimistically, sounds like working in the direction of a DSH ECLSS.
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kktt have scanned the newest paper of china space station,here is url:
http://liuqiankktt.blog.163.com/blog/static/121264211201342864744355/ (http://liuqiankktt.blog.163.com/blog/static/121264211201342864744355/)
photos:
baseline configuration(up to 90mt):
1 core module,experiment module 1,experiment module 2,big mechanical arm&small mechanical arm
extended configuration(up to 180mt):
2 core module,experiment module 1,experiment module 2,big mechanical arm&small mechanical arm,experiment module 3,experiment module 4, exposed facility 1、2、3、4
cargo spacecraft:
mass: up to 13.5mt
upload: up to 6.5mt
module design : pressurized,semi-pressurized,unpressurized configuration, upload cargo、suppuly、 propellant, and solar wing, exposed facility, small station module ...
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What does this say?
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What does this say?
That's the model of the future Chinese cargo supply spacecraft. :)
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I don't speak Chinese, but I see no radiators there. Are this notional, an artist impression or what exactly?
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What does this say?
That's the model of the future Chinese cargo supply spacecraft. :)
But specifically what does the text say?
EDIT: I did some research and the first four characters (货运飞船) say "cargo ship". I wonder what the last two say.
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I don't speak Chinese, but I see no radiators there. Are this notional, an artist impression or what exactly?
The first image has radiators, and some of the 'solar panels' on the others appear to be mostly the same size, shape and location as those radiators; looks like they've just been translated from design to CGI incorrectly, like those images of Tiangong being docked with at the wrong end.
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Thanks to Zero-G for pointing this out in the Shenzhou 10 thread. Click on the second link from right (highlighted in blue in the attached image) to see a 3D view of the Chinese Modular Space Station.
http://news.qq.com/zt2013/shen10flash/3D.htm
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Assembly on ground in larger volume modules would have been cheaper than multiple modules which means multiple projects / launches and would have enabled the ISS to be completed sooner.
Unsubstantiated and basically wrong. There is no data to support your claim.
There is no data to prove him wrong either. Common sense says that if two of anything can been combined into 1, it is faster and more economical.
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There is a graphic of this in the BBC article covering this launch, how good or bad is the representation here?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-22843318
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A little on the division of labor for the space station project. No surprise, but a reasonably well-placed source.
http://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/1258761/smooth-launch-shenzhou-x-crew-chinas-longest-manned-space-mission
Smooth launch for Shenzhou X crew on China's longest manned space mission
Stephen Chen at Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre, Inner Mongolia
Wednesday, 12 June, 2013 [Updated: 1:55PM]
<snip>
But the future of China's largest space launch centre [Jiuquan] is under a cloud, because it will soon be eclipsed by an even bigger one in Wenchang , Hainan , which is nearing completion.
Lu Jinron, the chief engineer at Jiuquan, said Wenchang would definitely have an impact on Jiuquan. Launches for the construction of a space laboratory would still be carried out by Jiuquan, but Wenchang would take over the heavy lifting job for China's ambitious space station project, scheduled for completion by 2020, he said.
"Jiuquan will still be responsible for all manned launches," he said. "We have more experience. We also have sunnier weather. We can provide absolute safety to the astronauts."
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I've never seen this one before. Note the lunar exploration vehicle docked to the station on the lower left corner.
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I've never seen this one before. Note the lunar exploration vehicle docked to the station on the lower left corner.
it's fans CG,orginal post at here:
http://lt.cjdby.net/thread-1411514-1-1.html (http://lt.cjdby.net/thread-1411514-1-1.html)
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EDIT: I did some research and the first four characters (货运飞船) say "cargo ship". I wonder what the last two say.
Gouxing -- configuration.
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The latest article. All in Chinese but the abstract.
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The English version of the figures translated by myself, NOT OFFICIAL.
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a official video about china future space station
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJTwNCRzSJY
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China's space station to open for foreign peers (http://www.china.org.cn/china/2013-09/18/content_30062812.htm)
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I thought these paragraphs were interesting:
Zhou Jianping, chief designer of China's manned space program, said the country will be able to rendezvous with other countries' spacecraft at the space station. China is also exploring the possibility of carrying out a joint rescue operation, according to Zhou.
...
If China starts taking foreign astronauts to outer space, we would like to be the first candidate," said Ahmed Bilal, chairman of the Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission. We also want to cooperate with China in remote sensing technology and educating the public about space."
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I noted that the animations for Tiangong 2 suggesting that refuelling might come along while the space lab is unmanned, thus meaning that - like Tiangong 1 - only one docking port is required on the lab. So, Tiangong 2 will not be based upon the modular station's core module or an experimental module.
Also it was specifically said that the module station should be assembled by 2020, suggesting that launches might take place in the 2018-2019 timescale. Will a crew be launched before the automatic dockings of the two experiment modules? I would expect that the first module will docking on the front longitudinal port and then be relocated to a side port shortly before the second module is launched: that way the station remains symmetrical for most of the time.
Finally, the Chinese are clearly thinking of the option of further expanding the station after the initial operations by docking a second core module and further experiment modules. All very interesting to me.
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At about 7:19 on the video we see the attached view.
Looks similar to a Mir/Salyut class core module. I don't think we see enough of it to tell if there is a Shenzhou already docked.
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China's space station to open for foreign peers (http://www.china.org.cn/china/2013-09/18/content_30062812.htm)
I thought this comment was interesting:
"Othman said she is convinced that China will promote space exploration for all mankind with its resolve and huge investment.
I think China can lead in the international community's exploration of space. It has the political will to expand its manned space endeavors, and based on that will, China has ensured and set aside enough resources."
I've never seen this one before. Note the lunar exploration vehicle docked to the station on the lower left corner.
Has anyone seen any recent illustrations with a Lunar Lander docked to the ISS?
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I noted that the animations for Tiangong 2 suggesting that refuelling might come along while the space lab is unmanned, thus meaning that - like Tiangong 1 - only one docking port is required on the lab. So, Tiangong 2 will not be based upon the modular station's core module or an experimental module.
But why to develop a second generation station with only a docking port? The Shenzhou has a limited cargo capacity and even if TG-2 is launched with a major cargo of supplies on board, the objectives of the following manned missions would be very limited in terms of prolonged presences in orbit in advance of the modular station.
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1-I thought this comment was interesting:
"Othman said she is convinced that China will promote space exploration for all mankind with its resolve and huge investment.
I think China can lead in the international community's exploration of space. It has the political will to expand its manned space endeavors, and based on that will, China has ensured and set aside enough resources."
2-Has anyone seen any recent illustrations with a Lunar Lander docked to the ISS?
1-That reads like a standard UN bureaucrat not saying anything substantive.
China is going to have difficulty with signing up international partners because many countries are scared of them. Will they get South Korea? Japan? Vietnam? No. All their neighbors are concerned about China's regional ambitions. I doubt they will get the Indians, but for more complex reasons.
Then again, the United States' biggest problem with signing up international partners is that the U.S. is unreliable.
2-Did you mean ISS or the Chinese station? Any discussions of a U.S. return to the Moon bypass the ISS. It's in the wrong orbit.
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1-I thought this comment was interesting:
"Othman said she is convinced that China will promote space exploration for all mankind with its resolve and huge investment.
I think China can lead in the international community's exploration of space. It has the political will to expand its manned space endeavors, and based on that will, China has ensured and set aside enough resources."
2-Has anyone seen any recent illustrations with a Lunar Lander docked to the ISS?
1-That reads like a standard UN bureaucrat not saying anything substantive.
China is going to have difficulty with signing up international partners because many countries are scared of them. Will they get South Korea? Japan? Vietnam? No. All their neighbors are concerned about China's regional ambitions. I doubt they will get the Indians, but for more complex reasons.
Then again, the United States' biggest problem with signing up international partners is that the U.S. is unreliable.
2-Did you mean ISS or the Chinese station? Any discussions of a U.S. return to the Moon bypass the ISS. It's in the wrong orbit.
AFAIK if they are getting foreign astronauts on their station it will be more likely from Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Venezuela, some African nations etc.
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1-I thought this comment was interesting:
"Othman said she is convinced that China will promote space exploration for all mankind with its resolve and huge investment.
I think China can lead in the international community's exploration of space. It has the political will to expand its manned space endeavors, and based on that will, China has ensured and set aside enough resources."
2-Has anyone seen any recent illustrations with a Lunar Lander docked to the ISS?
1-That reads like a standard UN bureaucrat not saying anything substantive.
China is going to have difficulty with signing up international partners because many countries are scared of them. Will they get South Korea? Japan? Vietnam? No. All their neighbors are concerned about China's regional ambitions. I doubt they will get the Indians, but for more complex reasons.
Then again, the United States' biggest problem with signing up international partners is that the U.S. is unreliable.
2-Did you mean ISS or the Chinese station? Any discussions of a U.S. return to the Moon bypass the ISS. It's in the wrong orbit.
AFAIK if they are getting foreign astronauts on their station it will be more likely from Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Venezuela, some African nations etc.
Brazil, Argentina.. and I doubt ESA would have too much trouble. In fact, I rather see them as the eventual link to the USA. BTW, the russians have some serious space cooperation, at least in technology transfer and training.
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1-I thought this comment was interesting:
"Othman said she is convinced that China will promote space exploration for all mankind with its resolve and huge investment.
I think China can lead in the international community's exploration of space. It has the political will to expand its manned space endeavors, and based on that will, China has ensured and set aside enough resources."
2-Has anyone seen any recent illustrations with a Lunar Lander docked to the ISS?
1-That reads like a standard UN bureaucrat not saying anything substantive.
China is going to have difficulty with signing up international partners because many countries are scared of them. Will they get South Korea? Japan? Vietnam? No. All their neighbors are concerned about China's regional ambitions. I doubt they will get the Indians, but for more complex reasons.
Then again, the United States' biggest problem with signing up international partners is that the U.S. is unreliable.
2-Did you mean ISS or the Chinese station? Any discussions of a U.S. return to the Moon bypass the ISS. It's in the wrong orbit.
I meant the ISS.
Some folks are not convinced the ISS is in the wrong orbit for Lunar and Mars missions. The ISS's orbital inclination of 51.65 degrees is about the same as Skylab's 50 degree orbital inclination, and different than Tiangong-1's 42.78 degrees orbital inclination.
The orbit of the International Space Station is a bit of a compromise for various LEO and beyond LEO missions, but on the plus side it periodically flies over the major launch sites of the world which can provide redundant launch access to the ISS.
Manned flight around Moon considered By Jonathan Amos Science correspondent, BBC News October 11, 2010
At: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-11304559
"'We need the courage of starting a new era,' Europe's director of human spaceflight, Simonetta Di Pippo, told BBC News.
'The idea is to ascend to the space station the various elements of the mission, and then try to assemble the spacecraft at the ISS, and go from the orbit of the space station to the Moon.'"
And, "If humans ever do go to asteroids or Mars, the scale of the infrastructure needed to complete a safe round trip could not possibly be launched on a single rocket from Earth. It will have to be sent up on multiple flights and joined together in orbit.
Doing this assembly at the ISS means it can be overseen by astronauts with ready access to tools if needed."
Note also:
Soyuz to the Moon? by Jeff Foust August 2, 2004
At: http://www.thespacereview.com/article/199/1
"Once the module and upper stage were in orbit, a Soyuz spacecraft that had completed its half-year stay at the ISS would undock from the station and dock with the logistics module. The upper stage attached to the other end of the logistics module then fires, sending the complete spacecraft on a free-return circumlunar trajectory."
In considering the previously noted illustration, perhaps there is the possibility of China eventually staging cargo and human Lunar missions from its future Modular Space Station.
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I noted that the animations for Tiangong 2 suggesting that refuelling might come along while the space lab is unmanned, thus meaning that - like Tiangong 1 - only one docking port is required on the lab. So, Tiangong 2 will not be based upon the modular station's core module or an experimental module.
Accoding to official paper, Tiangong 2 is a 8 ton class space lab. it may be two docking port on the lab, but it will not be based upon core module of space station
Will a crew be launched before the automatic dockings of the two experiment modules
bingo!CNSA will be launched a core module as a test,sent shenzhou&crew to the test core module。if core modules tested successful,then launched two experiment modules to dock with core module,else we will fix&modify core module's dedign, launch it to orbit
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China's space station to open for foreign peers (http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/china/2013-09/18/c_132731624.htm)
Foreign astronauts expected aboard China's space station (http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/sci/2013-09/20/c_132736238.htm)
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If Tiangong 2 is going to be like Tiangong 1 then it could use the CZ-2F class launcher and thus fly from Jiuquan, not Wenchang.
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If Tiangong 2 is going to be like Tiangong 1 then it could use the CZ-2F class launcher and thus fly from Jiuquan, not Wenchang.
It does. A recent journal paper has confirmed that TG-2 is going to be launched by CZ-2F.
We'll see how they can fit two docking ports on the baseline TG design.
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If Tiangong 2 is going to be like Tiangong 1 then it could use the CZ-2F class launcher and thus fly from Jiuquan, not Wenchang.
It does. A recent journal paper has confirmed that TG-2 is going to be launched by CZ-2F.
We'll see how they can fit two doking ports on the basiline TG design.
Previous indications was that TG-2 would be launched by a CZ-7 from WSLC.
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It does. A recent journal paper has confirmed that TG-2 is going to be launched by CZ-2F.
Could you please share a copy of the paper you just mentioned?
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It does. A recent journal paper has confirmed that TG-2 is going to be launched by CZ-2F.
Could you please share a copy of the paper you just mentioned?
It's on the July issue of <国际太空> (Space International)
If you have access to Wanfang, here is the link
http://d.wanfangdata.com.cn/Periodical_gjtk201307005.aspx
It's a paid database so it's proprietary, but this particular paper is really just ₯3. Anyway the author (citing the proceedings of the 4th CAST space technology forum) was quite explicit about it, said TG-2 will be launched by a CZ-2F.
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I thought these paragraphs were interesting:
Zhou Jianping, chief designer of China's manned space program, said the country will be able to rendezvous with other countries' spacecraft at the space station. China is also exploring the possibility of carrying out a joint rescue operation, according to Zhou.
...
If China starts taking foreign astronauts to outer space, we would like to be the first candidate," said Ahmed Bilal, chairman of the Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission. We also want to cooperate with China in remote sensing technology and educating the public about space."
China offering to take foreign astronauts to outer space? Maybe America should stick a module onto the ISS, that can dock with the Shenzhou. America would then have a choice between Russia and China for transportation to the ISS.
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From http://www.ecns.cn/2013/09-25/82217.shtml
"China expects to complete space station by 2023
China will complete its first space station within 10 years and be able to send crews of up to six people for short-term missions, according to the 64th International Astronautical Congress.
...
"Room in the station will be no less than 60 square meters, which is enough for astronauts to move freely," said Xu Dazhe, general manager of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp, at the five-day event that began on Monday in Beijing.
He said the station will also be able to support three astronauts on long-term missions.
...
According to China Manned Space Engineering Office, the space station will consist of three capsules with a cargo shuttle to transport supplies.
The station's core module will be 18.1 meters in length and will weigh 20 to 22 metric tons. The space station will also consist of two self-contained laboratories.
Wang Zhaoyao, director of China Manned Space Agency, said astronauts will be able to make long-term missions in orbit and conduct technical tests.
But more research and development will be needed to complete the space station, Zhou Jianping, chief designer of the manned space program, told Chinanews on Monday. He said China will be able to launch the planned space station in 10 years."
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It does. A recent journal paper has confirmed that TG-2 is going to be launched by CZ-2F.
Could you please share a copy of the paper you just mentioned?
space international 2013.07:
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I thought these paragraphs were interesting:
Zhou Jianping, chief designer of China's manned space program, said the country will be able to rendezvous with other countries' spacecraft at the space station. China is also exploring the possibility of carrying out a joint rescue operation, according to Zhou.
...
If China starts taking foreign astronauts to outer space, we would like to be the first candidate," said Ahmed Bilal, chairman of the Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission. We also want to cooperate with China in remote sensing technology and educating the public about space."
China offering to take foreign astronauts to outer space? Maybe America should stick a module onto the ISS, that can dock with the Shenzhou. America would then have a choice between Russia and China for transportation to the ISS.
Or a real win-win for everyone plan would be to dock the whole Chinese Modular Space Station - circa 2020 to the ISS and extend the lifespan of the International Space Station to 2033 or longer.
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1-I thought this comment was interesting:
"Othman said she is convinced that China will promote space exploration for all mankind with its resolve and huge investment.
I think China can lead in the international community's exploration of space. It has the political will to expand its manned space endeavors, and based on that will, China has ensured and set aside enough resources."
2-Has anyone seen any recent illustrations with a Lunar Lander docked to the ISS?
1-That reads like a standard UN bureaucrat not saying anything substantive.
China is going to have difficulty with signing up international partners because many countries are scared of them. Will they get South Korea? Japan? Vietnam? No. All their neighbors are concerned about China's regional ambitions. I doubt they will get the Indians, but for more complex reasons.
Then again, the United States' biggest problem with signing up international partners is that the U.S. is unreliable.
2-Did you mean ISS or the Chinese station? Any discussions of a U.S. return to the Moon bypass the ISS. It's in the wrong orbit.
I meant the ISS.
Some folks are not convinced the ISS is in the wrong orbit for Lunar and Mars missions. The ISS's orbital inclination of 51.65 degrees is about the same as Skylab's 50 degree orbital inclination, and different than Tiangong-1's 42.78 degrees orbital inclination.
The orbit of the International Space Station is a bit of a compromise for various LEO and beyond LEO missions, but on the plus side it periodically flies over the major launch sites of the world which can provide redundant launch access to the ISS.
Manned flight around Moon considered By Jonathan Amos Science correspondent, BBC News October 11, 2010
At: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-11304559
"'We need the courage of starting a new era,' Europe's director of human spaceflight, Simonetta Di Pippo, told BBC News.
'The idea is to ascend to the space station the various elements of the mission, and then try to assemble the spacecraft at the ISS, and go from the orbit of the space station to the Moon.'"
And, "If humans ever do go to asteroids or Mars, the scale of the infrastructure needed to complete a safe round trip could not possibly be launched on a single rocket from Earth. It will have to be sent up on multiple flights and joined together in orbit.
Doing this assembly at the ISS means it can be overseen by astronauts with ready access to tools if needed."
Note also:
Soyuz to the Moon? by Jeff Foust August 2, 2004
At: http://www.thespacereview.com/article/199/1
"Once the module and upper stage were in orbit, a Soyuz spacecraft that had completed its half-year stay at the ISS would undock from the station and dock with the logistics module. The upper stage attached to the other end of the logistics module then fires, sending the complete spacecraft on a free-return circumlunar trajectory."
In considering the previously noted illustration, perhaps there is the possibility of China eventually staging cargo and human Lunar missions from its future Modular Space Station.
Note:
Dock it to ISS, and then what? Not going to the moon from there, it is at the wrong inclination.
Not so... The delta-V to reach the moon is virtually identical from pretty much ANY inclination in LEO. You just have fewer and tighter launch windows.
This myth that the ISS orbit is a terrible staging point for BLEO needs to die. The most significant difference is the delta-v from launch to that LEO inclination. But once you are in LEO you always at minimum two launch windows to the moon per month.
"The Orbital Piloted Assembly and Experiment Complex (Russian: Орбитальный Пилотируемый Сборочно-Экспериментальный Комплекс, Orbitalnyj Pilotiruiemyj Sboročno-Ekspierimientalnyj Komplieks)[1][2] (ОПСЭК, OPSEK) is a proposed third-generation modular space station in Low Earth orbit. OPSEK would initially consist of modules from the Russian Orbital Segment of the International Space Station (ISS)."
And, "The proposal would use OPSEK to assemble components of manned interplanetary spacecraft destined for Mars, the Moon, and possibly Saturn."
From: Orbital Piloted Assembly and Experiment Complex Wikipedia
At: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OPSEK
"At the forefront of the talks were Russian plans to replace the ISS with a new manned outpost in low Earth orbit in 2020-2025. However unlike the ISS, which was designed to serve primarily as a research lab, the new station was conceived as an assembly point for missions to the Moon and Mars. Russian and European officials said they hoped that NASA would also be interested in the project."
From: A concept of the Russian successor to the ISS By Anatoly Zak; last update: April 4, 2011
At: http://www.russianspaceweb.com/opsek.html
Blackstar, does this answer your concern about the potential usefulness of the ISS, OPSEK, or the Chinese Modular Space Station - circa 2020 for stacking or staging the elements needed for various Lunar and beyond cislunar missions?
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a lecture from United Nations/China Workshop on Human Space Technology(HSTI 2013)
author:Zhou Jianping (Chief Designer of China Manned Space Program)
something intersting:
the cargo ship named "Tianzhou", in chinese its "天舟"
core module &lab module:
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Thanks Lsquirrel. The presentation says the supply ships are called Tianzhou and will be launched by CZ-7. Shenzhou will continue to be launched by CZ-2F. That's the first time I've seen the name Tianzhou mentioned. As Tian Gong means "Heavenly Palace" and Shen Zhou means "Divine Craft", I take it that Tianzhou means "Heavenly Craft". It also says there are three types of supply ships; pressurised, semi-pressurised and unpressurised.
CZ-5B will be used to launch the three modules. The station will be occupied by three taikonauts for up six months in duration at a time for a continuous human presence. Assembly of the modules is similar to that used by Mir. The station will have regenerative life support and electric propulsion.
Tiangong 2 is being launched to verify refuelling and mid-term habitation technologies. LM-7 and CZ-5B will be first launched on test flights.
For international cooperation opportunities exist for international or jointly developed laboratory modules, international spacecraft visits, joint training and flights of astronauts, space rescue, and international payloads and experiments.
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a lecture from United Nations/China Workshop on Human Space Technology(HSTI 2013)
author:Zhou Jianping (Chief Designer of China Manned Space Program)
something intersting:
the cargo ship named "Tianzhou", in chinese its "天舟"
core module &lab module:
So, it's a Mir class core module, and two Spektr FGB class power modules. The base block node should be 3.3 meters in diameter (similar to the new Node module for ISS), compared with the 2.2 meter diameter node for the Mir base block.
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The French site Forum du Conquete Spatiale (http://astronautique.actifforum.com/t13987p105-information-programme-habite-chinois#295733) reports the names of the future Chinese space station:
* The future Chinese space station is named "Tian Gong" (Heavenly Palace), code "TG"
* It's base module is named "Tian He" (Heavenly Harmony), code "TH"
* It's experimental module I is named "Wen Tian" (Heavenly Questioning), code "WT"
* It's experimental module II is named "Xun Tian" (Heavenly Investigator), code "XT"
* The cargo ships are named "Tian Zhou" (Heavenly Ship), code "TZ"
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The French site Forum du Conquete Spatiale (http://astronautique.actifforum.com/t13987p105-information-programme-habite-chinois#295733) reports the names of the future Chinese space station:
* The future Chinese space station is named "Tian Gong" (Heavenly Palace), code "TG"
* It's base module is named "Tian He" (Harmony of the Heavens), code "TH"
* It's experimental module I is named "Wen Tian" (Quest for the Heavens), code "WT"
* It's experimental module II is named "Xun Tian" (Heavenly Cruiser), code "XT"
* The cargo ships are named "Tian Zhou" (Heavenly Ship), code "TZ"
I have corrected some of the translations above in italics. ;)
Personally I found the names to be, um, only roughly average - there's too much references to the heavens in the naming scheme! And they have recycled the Tiangong name to the space station - this must be very confusing to people all around the world since there is a Tiangong-2 already coming soon...
Oh well it's at least 5 years away from launch anyway, perhaps they will come up with another name by then (remember that Salyut 1 almost became Zarya 1!). ::)
Meanwhile the CMSE office has also got a new logo. :)
Official press release from CMSE: http://www.cmse.gov.cn/news/show.php?itemid=3743 (http://www.cmse.gov.cn/news/show.php?itemid=3743)
And a news report about the naming: http://news.cntv.cn/2013/10/31/VIDE1383214680119329.shtml (http://news.cntv.cn/2013/10/31/VIDE1383214680119329.shtml)
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The Tiangong configuration:
Base module "Tian He" (Harmony of the Heavens), code "TH"
Experimental module I "Wen Tian" (Quest for the Heavens), code "WT"
Experimental module II "Xun Tian" (Heavenly Cruiser), code "XT"
Cargo ships "Tian Zhou" (Heavenly Ship), code "TZ"
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From People's Daily: China plans to launch space station in 2018 (http://en.people.cn/n/2015/0305/c202936-8858053.html).
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evolution of china space station:
2011,2014,2015
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The station will have...electric propulsion.
Can you elaborate more on that?
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The station will have...electric propulsion.
Can you elaborate more on that?
Having does not mean that it has to be a primary drive source. Having and testing one in space is still science until capabilities are increased above 720 mN. Also, isn't the benefit of EM in that small but long duration thrust has benefits?
"Yang Juan, Professor of Propulsion Theory and Engineering of Aeronautics and Astronautics at the Northwestern Polytechnic University in Xian published last year in the academic journal Acta Physica Sinica about her success in generating thrust measurements from a Microwave resonance based device. In 2010 Yuan quantified the amount of thrust that could be produced, and stated that the team was getting positive experimental results. Their latest paper describes their latest thruster and gives the test results in details, showing that with a couple of kilowatts of power they can produce 720 mN (about 72 grams) of thrust."
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/chat/3223406/posts
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2015/04/evaluating-nasas-futuristic-em-drive/
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The term electric propulsion is sometime used in reference to ion drives. It would make sense to use this sort of technology to counteract drag. There may be implications to the micro-gravity environment available for science.
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The term electric propulsion is sometime used in reference to ion drives. It would make sense to use this sort of technology to counteract drag. There may be implications to the micro-gravity environment available for science.
If it is used in continuous thrust mode, exactly to cancel the drag, it would not affect the environment at all. But, having a continuous thrust SEP engine running for years would be quite an achievement. Weight and size might not matter much for this application, and it would be relatively tiny. We calculated that to counteract the drag of the ISS you needed around 250mN of thrust. It will depend on the solar panels drag, of course, but I would guess that if they do 100mN with the ability to throttle down, it will be more than fine. Girded ion engines technology would be out, though.
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Is there any difference using an ion engine in LEO compared to higher orbits? There's a bit of free oxygen floating around in LEO (where you get that drag) and I wonder if that creates any problems with the emitter or charged particles or anything like that.
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Is there any difference using an ion engine in LEO compared to higher orbits? There's a bit of free oxygen floating around in LEO (where you get that drag) and I wonder if that creates any problems with the emitter or charged particles or anything like that.
Typical grided or Hall ion engines use argon or xenon; IIRC, argon will never form an oxide and xenon oxide is really difficult. So, I doubt oxygen is an issue. A greater challenge might be keeping any crew on EVA from touching the high-voltage systems.
Also, *somewhere* on this very forum is presentation on putting an electrodynamic tether on ISS to change its orbital inclination...
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It makes little sense at this point to design a station for LEO without SEP - it reduces the mass requirement per year substantially for not a lot of cost.
The EM Drive remains unexplained fringe theory that everything we know about physics says will eventually be explained away in terms of poor testing methodology. Ion thrusters are COTS flight-proven hardware. Electrodynamic tethers are physically well-modelled but untested tech. It's a safe bet they're talking about ion thrusters.
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It makes little sense at this point to design a station for LEO without SEP - it reduces the mass requirement per year substantially for not a lot of cost.
The EM Drive remains unexplained fringe theory that everything we know about physics says will eventually be explained away in terms of poor testing methodology. Ion thrusters are COTS flight-proven hardware. Electrodynamic tethers are physically well-modelled but untested tech. It's a safe bet they're talking about ion thrusters.
It would be best if you didn't engage in speculation about the EM thruster here, especially making such short hand assumptions as it will only probably lead to the thread lurching wildly off topic.
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Informative article on this from Space News reporting from the IAC, especially intrigued by the dock able astronomy telescope & their reaching out to the international community for cooperation.
China's Space Station Planners Put out Welcome Mat
JERUSALEM China is soliciting international participation in its future manned space station in the form of foreign modules that would attach to the three-module core system, visits by foreign crew-transport vehicles for short stays and the involvement of non-Chinese researchers in placing experiments on the complex, the chief designer of Chinas manned space program said Oct. 12.
But he declined to commit to an international orbital docking technology that would facilitate international participation in the Chinese facility.
The Chinese orbital station, consisting of a core module and two experiment-carrying modules, can be expanded to a total of six modules if international partners want to invest in their own components, said Zhou Jianping, chief designer of the China Manned Space Program at the China Manned Space Agency.
Zhou said China plans to launch an astronomy telescope into an orbit near enough to the space station to dock to it for upgrades and servicing. He declined to specify the telescopes size.
http://spacenews.com/chinas-space-station-planners-put-out-welcome-mat/ (http://spacenews.com/chinas-space-station-planners-put-out-welcome-mat/)
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Time to breathe new life into this thread. There have been several updates on the "Novosti kosmonavtiki" forum in the last few weeks (with interesting comments from Konstantin Lantratov, a former NK journalist) :
http://novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/forum/forum10/topic8751/?PAGEN_1=40
Most notably, a 35-page document (unfortunately, in Chinese) on the space station published by the Chinese Manned Space Agency :
http://cmse.gov.cn/uploadfile/news/uploadfile/201604/20160427104809225.pdf
A short summary of that in English can be found here :
http://www.popsci.com/chinas-space-station-plans-in-powerpoint-closer-look-at-tiangong-3
The name Tiangong-3 used in the summary does not appear to be correct. This was the name of a Tiangong with two docking ports (ala Salyut-6 and Salyut-7) that was cancelled a while ago.
Interesting plans for a Hubble-class space telescope (Xuntian) that will periodically dock with the station for servicing. More here (in Chinese) :
http://www.chinaspaceflight.com/css/Xuntian/Xuntian.html
Yang Liwei recently gave the following launch schedule in a meeting with students :
- core module (Tianhe) : approximately 2018
- first research module (Wentian) : approximately 2020
- second research module (recently renamed Mengtian or "Heavenly Dream") : approximately 2021
- completion of station assembly : 2022
Another source (in Chinese) says assembly will be completed "after 2022" and the Xuntian space telescope will be launched after 2022. It refers to the core module as Tianhe-1 (which implies there will also be a Tianhe-2 at a later stage) :
http://news.xinhuanet.com/politics/2016-04/21/c_1118695895.htm
Finally, a model of the space station is shown at a science and technology exhibition that opened in Beijing on 1 June. Note Wentian with its EVA airlock, very reminiscent of Mir's Kvant-2 module. Lantratov says that prior to the arrival of Wentian, cosmonauts will exit the station via a hatch on the "zenith" side of the docking node (where there is no docking port).
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Time to breathe new life into this thread. There have been several updates on the "Novosti kosmonavtiki" forum in the last few weeks (with interesting comments from Konstantin Lantratov, a former NK journalist) :
http://novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/forum/forum10/topic8751/?PAGEN_1=40
Most notably, a 35-page document (unfortunately, in Chinese) on the space station published by the Chinese Manned Space Agency :
http://cmse.gov.cn/uploadfile/news/uploadfile/201604/20160427104809225.pdf
That is old news. I have a full translation of that document here.
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=7058.msg1525636#msg1525636
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I shall be referring to this as "The Tiangong Complex", just as I did with The Mir Complex and The Zarya Complex (although for some reason the latter didn't catch on).
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Wouldn't it be better to call this the Tian He complex? That's the name of the core module.
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Wouldn't it be better to call this the Tian He complex? That's the name of the core module.
I thought that the overall name of the station was to be Tiangong - whether a serial number is added or not. Of course, I could be out of date!
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Some details
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Wouldn't it be better to call this the Tian He complex? That's the name of the core module.
I thought that the overall name of the station was to be Tiangong - whether a serial number is added or not. Of course, I could be out of date!
China calls the station Tiangong without serial number.
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Interesting move by China here. Quite a bit of useful info about the station in general as well.
China prepares assembly of its space station, invites collaboration through U.N.
http://spacenews.com/china-prepares-assembly-of-its-space-station-invites-collaboration-through-u-n/
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Interesting move by China here. Quite a bit of useful info about the station in general as well.
China prepares assembly of its space station, invites collaboration through U.N.
http://spacenews.com/china-prepares-assembly-of-its-space-station-invites-collaboration-through-u-n/
It claims that Tiangong 2 will be launched atop a CZ-5B vehicle from Wenchang in September. Hopefully the rest of the piece is more accurate than this.
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I assume the Chinese use Kurs (or their own version) for automated docking.
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AIUI, they have a docking system patterned after the APAS, so I would guess their aproach ops could be similar to Kurs. But I don't have any information.
I understand that the new IDSS does include some approach ops definitions and that the Chinese desire to be compatible with it.
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I assume the Chinese use Kurs (or their own version) for automated docking.
AIUI, they have a docking system patterned after the APAS, so I would guess their aproach ops could be similar to Kurs. But I don't have any information.
I understand that the new IDSS does include some approach ops definitions and that the Chinese desire to be compatible with it.
As I understand, the Russians did a complete technology transfer in the 2000's to China on firstly the analog Kurs versions and much more recently the digital Kurs (both Kurs ATV, NA and MM versions). Transfer of the European rendezvous and avionics systems used in the Kurs ATV System was through a MoU and cooperation agreement with ESA.
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Interesting move by China here. Quite a bit of useful info about the station in general as well.
China prepares assembly of its space station, invites collaboration through U.N.
http://spacenews.com/china-prepares-assembly-of-its-space-station-invites-collaboration-through-u-n/
It claims that Tiangong 2 will be launched atop a CZ-5B vehicle from Wenchang in September. Hopefully the rest of the piece is more accurate than this.
Well ok then what is being launched on and where from with quoted sources if your going to dispute this?
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Interesting move by China here. Quite a bit of useful info about the station in general as well.
China prepares assembly of its space station, invites collaboration through U.N.
http://spacenews.com/china-prepares-assembly-of-its-space-station-invites-collaboration-through-u-n/
It claims that Tiangong 2 will be launched atop a CZ-5B vehicle from Wenchang in September. Hopefully the rest of the piece is more accurate than this.
Well ok then what is being launched on and where from with quoted sources if your going to dispute this?
Here is what currently stands in the latest version of the reliable NSF Chinese Launch Schedule: http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=5060.msg1542311#msg1542311
2016:
September - CZ-2F/T2 - JSLC, LC43/921 - TG-2 Tiangong-2; Banxing-2
October - CZ-5/YZ-2 - WSLC, LC101 - ??
October 17 (?) - CZ-2F/G - JSLC, LC43/921 - SZ-11 Shenzhou-11
2017:
April - CZ-7 - WSLC, LC201 - TZ-1 Tianzhou-1
?? - CZ-2F/G - JSLC, LC43/921 - SZ-12 Shenzhou-12
2018:
?? - CZ-5 - WSLC, LC101 - TH Tianhe Space Station Core Module
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So in fact the launch site is right, it's over the variant of CZ-5.
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So in fact the launch site is right, it's over the variant of CZ-5.
Tiangong 2 will use the CZ-2F/T from Jiuquan and NOT the CZ-5B from the new launch site.
The nerk who wrote the story confused the Tiangong launch with the maiden flight of the CZ-5 - both are currently scheduled for September.
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Some details
The grapple fixture and end effector design is probably just a place holder, but it would be interesting to see if the Chinese blatantly copies it.
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English language presentations on 'Chinese Mir':
http://www.unoosa.org/documents/pdf/copuos/2016/copuos2016tech20E.pdf
http://www.unoosa.org/documents/pdf/psa/hsti/CostaRica2016/5-2.pdf
Moderator: Isn't it reasonable to move here messages on the Chinese station from the general Chinese topic?
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The last paragraph is interesting. I hope they keep to their word.
"It is certain that China will never halt its footsteps in human space exploration and will continue to explore the vast space, deeper and further!"
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CSS hardware
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CSS hardware
This is sections that make up the (TH) Tianhe Space Station Core Module.
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CSS hardware
This is sections that make up the (TH) Tianhe Space Station Core Module.
indeed
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Successful rocket launch gets China one step closer to own space station (http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2016-06/25/c_135466113.htm).
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Larger photo of the first scene of the video presented in screenshots above:
http://www.chinaspaceflight.com/usr/uploads/2016/06/24/1466769707125040.jpg
showing Tian He test or flight hardware being processed, with multiple docking adapter featuring three docking ports and an EVA hatch, robotic arm grappling points and what looks like the main body of the module in the left background.
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Can anyone of you please provide a link to that video?
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Larger photo of the first scene of the video presented in screenshots above:
http://www.chinaspaceflight.com/usr/uploads/2016/06/24/1466769707125040.jpg
showing Tian He test or flight hardware being processed, with multiple docking adapter featuring three docking ports and an EVA hatch, robotic arm grappling points and what looks like the main body of the module in the left background.
That is the small diameter section in the background. large diameter section is not shown.
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Additional views here: http://imgur.com/a/th8b6
In the bottom one, the large diameter section seems to be visible in the background on the left.
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Additional views here: http://imgur.com/a/th8b6
In the bottom one, the large diameter section seems to be visible in the background on the left.
yes indeed. it appears to be half or two thirds of it of the whole LDS. with the missing half or third being the propulson and station keeping business end of the core module
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Larger photo of the first scene of the video presented in screenshots above:
http://www.chinaspaceflight.com/usr/uploads/2016/06/24/1466769707125040.jpg
showing Tian He test or flight hardware being processed, with multiple docking adapter featuring three docking ports and an EVA hatch, robotic arm grappling points and what looks like the main body of the module in the left background.
Do I see a Lyappa fixture?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lyappa_arm
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Larger photo of the first scene of the video presented in screenshots above:
http://www.chinaspaceflight.com/usr/uploads/2016/06/24/1466769707125040.jpg
showing Tian He test or flight hardware being processed, with multiple docking adapter featuring three docking ports and an EVA hatch, robotic arm grappling points and what looks like the main body of the module in the left background.
Do I see a Lyappa fixture?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lyappa_arm
Yes and it is licensed either peacefully or by threat from Russia like nearly everything else .
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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.
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This is exciting stuff and great to hear! I wish them great luck and success.
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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.
Using http://www.chinesetools.eu/tools/zhuyin/ the transliteration of 梦天 is Meng Tian, not Mang Tian.
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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.
Using http://www.chinesetools.eu/tools/zhuyin/ the transliteration of 梦天 is Meng Tian, not Mang Tian.
Thank you Steven - although the problem could be my lousy eyesight misreading a reference!
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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.
It's not strange to pick names from mythology. NASA has used Apollo, Ares, Mercury, etc. and you don't see a lot of ancient Greek or Roman temples around here.
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RonM makes a good point: it is often difficult to distinguish between myth and religion (and sometimes between myth and "science"). ;)
"Mars," for example. It's a term used in science. It is also used in mythology. And in discussion of some religious practices.
I am certainly not an Asian language scholar but it seems plausible the same could be true of the term "heavenly" in Chinese.
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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.
China is not an atheist country, the CP is at most nominally so. In reality China is home to hundreds of millions of Christians, Buddhists, and Muslims.
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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.
The use of "Heavenly" as part of the spacecraft name is totally fine. For Chinese, this word (Heavenly) doesn't imply any religious meaning. Chinese just like grand, beautiful, and natural names. The actual meaning of "天宮" is "Sky House", but if you translate it to "Heavenly Palace", Chinese are happy about that.
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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.
Using http://www.chinesetools.eu/tools/zhuyin/ the transliteration of 梦天 is Meng Tian, not Mang Tian.
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.
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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.
I only copied what was given from a Chinese presentation.
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Thank you for the comments regarding the use of "heavenly" in Chinese space station related and other names. I was particularly interested in Frensel's "Sky House" translation.
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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.
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.
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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.
That same source gives 问天 (Wen Tian) as the name of the first lab module.
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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.
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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.
Somewhat larger I suspect, as the Proton fairing is 4.35 m whereas the CZ-5's is 5.2 m
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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.
Somewhat larger I suspect, as the Proton fairing is 4.35 m whereas the CZ-5's is 5.2 m
Looking at the illustrations of a docked Tianzhou (which must have a maximum diameter of 3.35 metres at the most), the diameter of the main Tianhe modules looks larger but not by a metre or more.
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Attached is an infographic on the space station. Dates from 2012 or 2013.
I would be interested on any comments on China's Space Station, CZ-2F and CZ-7 costs that are embedded in a web page at [http://www.ikuyu.cn/indexinfo?type=1&id=12227&summary=][/url]
Specifically do the costs look reasonable, are they backed up by any other documents, etc?
I've attached a google translate of a portion of that web page should you have difficulty accessing it.
Thanks!
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Do I see a Lyappa fixture?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lyappa_arm
I should remark that Lyappa (Ляппа) is not a Russian word or name. Most probable this is the word lapa (лапа) erroneusly written. Yet lapa is also not an official name for this small manipulator -- its meaning is paw. It could be used metaphorically by somebody to explain the use of manipulator.
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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.
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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.
These solar panels will be in the same plane eventually, and on both sides of the station there will be larger solar panels(similar to ISS), so do not worry about this problem, the power generation from CSS will be three times the MIR.
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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 12
2020 Wentian, Tianzhou 3, Shenzhou 13
2021 Mengtian, Tianzhou 4, Shenzhou 14
2022 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.
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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 12
2020 Wentian, Tianzhou 3, Shenzhou 13
2021 Mengtian, Tianzhou 4, Shenzhou 14
2022 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. ;)
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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 12
2020 Wentian, Tianzhou 3, Shenzhou 13
2021 Mengtian, Tianzhou 4, Shenzhou 14
2022 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. ;)
Thank you but I am now confused because there's a separate entry for "CZ-5B 文昌 空间站巡天光学舱(XT)" which I took to be Xuntian ............ !
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Reuters article.
China to begin construction of manned space station in 2019
"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."
http://mobile.reuters.com/article/idUSKBN17U0GG
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Re my earlier postings about the launch schedule for the Tiangong Complex and supporting spacecraft, I have now realised that the entry for "巡天号光学舱" is a hyperlink (I can't always tell which are hyperlinks because of my sight problems) and that takes you to a page dedicated to Xuntian. So there are clearly two entries for this satellite. The "空间站巡天光学舱(XT)" entry is not a hyperlink.
I am attaching a diagram of Xuntian - are there any Chinese speakers who would be kind enough to translate the captions, please?
Have there been any hints of other free-flying modules that will be associated with the Tiangong Complex and will occasionally dock for servicing operations?
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It has just struck me ......... most of the animations showing the dockings of Wentian and Mengtian with Tianhe 1 do not have a Shenzhou docked with the latter. So will the station be unmanned when the modules are launched and docked or is it simply "artistic licence"?
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It has just struck me ......... most of the animations showing the dockings of Wentian and Mengtian with Tianhe 1 do not have a Shenzhou docked with the latter. So will the station be unmanned when the modules are launched and docked or is it simply "artistic licence"?
As China has demonstrated automated docking without crew, this could be the plan for the Modular Space Station as well. This also avoids any risk to the crew in case anything goes wrong during docking.
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Here's the updates of core module ( TianHe ) building and experiment progress. It's shown from a documentary on CCTV last weekend (Jan 26th 2018)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DqMuYV3kIj0&t (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DqMuYV3kIj0&t)
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Thank you for posting the new photos, Sizzy.
Was there any new or updated information in the commentary for the programme?
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Thank you for posting the new photos, Sizzy.
Was there any new or updated information in the commentary for the programme?
TianHe core module has finished assembling work on may 2017, and will be launched on late 2019 after the testing flight of LongMarch 5B.
CNSA is planning Shenzhou 12 manned flight shortly after the core module sent into orbit , the crew members will stay there for 3 months. In 2020-2022 ,there will be another LM5B launch (2 Lab modules) and Shenzhou 13 crew members will stay for 180 days until another crew relay , just like ISS
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Thank you for those details.
We know that Shenzhou 12 and 13 are both due in 2020 so maybe that will see a crew handover? Then again, most depictions of the side-mounted modules arriving seem to suggest that there won't be a crew on board at the time (no Shenzhou docked). I thought that the permanent residencies would begin once the three main modules were docked in 2021 (or 2022).
It will be interesting to see whether the Chinese will try any really long duration visits to the Tiangong Complex. By the mid-1990s the Russians had decided that their experience was that the optimum residencies for medical/psychological reasons would be around six months (at the time NASA was still extrapolating from Skylab data!).
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Thank you for those details.
We know that Shenzhou 12 and 13 are both due in 2020 so maybe that will see a crew handover? Then again, most depictions of the side-mounted modules arriving seem to suggest that there won't be a crew on board at the time (no Shenzhou docked). I thought that the permanent residencies would begin once the three main modules were docked in 2021 (or 2022).
It will be interesting to see whether the Chinese will try any really long duration visits to the Tiangong Complex. By the mid-1990s the Russians had decided that their experience was that the optimum residencies for medical/psychological reasons would be around six months (at the time NASA was still extrapolating from Skylab data!).
After 2022 we may see Shenzhou 14 (or new kind spaceship) crew handover. Tianzhou cargoship will handover once a year.
Also CNSA planning a new co-orbital telescope and a flyby bus in this progarm.
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In 2020-2022 ,there will be another LM5B launch (2 Lab modules)
Will the two lab modules launched on one LM5B or individually?
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In 2020-2022 ,there will be another LM5B launch (2 Lab modules)
Will the two lab modules launched on one LM5B or individually?
individually
each of lab is 21-22t (LM5B LEO 23T)
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individually
each of lab is 21-22t (LM5B LEO 23T)
Thank you.
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Here's a ground model ,simulating the interior of the future lab module (in 1:1 scale) The module may lift off in 2020-2022
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As noted on the thread of future Chinese launches, the launch of Tianhe 1 has been delayed until 2020.
https://gbtimes.com/launch-of-first-chinese-space-station-module-delayed-to-2020
This still gives the Chinese a good chance of having all three modules docked in orbit and the Tiangong Complex occupied in time for the 20th anniversary of Shenzhou 5 (which flew in October 2003): if that is a consideration for the Chinese, of course!
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Video showing the docking port has been attached to the main body.
http://tv.cctv.com/2018/03/31/VIDEHaoT2LOifqMCBM3mHnBw180331.shtml
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Tianhe-1 - Chinas next manned space station
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDKrbbPGBGU
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This article has little to actually say about China's manned lunar plans, but it is mainly about the Tiangong Complex.
http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2018-04/26/c_137136956.htm
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The article referenced immediately above suggests that Tianhe 1 will operate in a 393 km orbit. At first i thought that this might mean a daily 15-circuits repeating pattern.
However, the Chinese orbital altitudes are about 5 km different from those obtained when a spherical Earth with a radius of 6,3678.145 km is used. Whilst realising that such activity can be dangerous I have spent some time playing with the numbers and come up with a better-fitting repeating pattern: 107 circuits over 6.9 days, period 92.547 minutes, mean altitude over a spherical Earth 399 km. This is a much longer repeating pattern than we have previously seen.
Time will tell ...........
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Are they using WGS84?
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Are they using WGS84?
I don not know. I had assumed that they had their own model.
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Spotlight: China welcomes all UN member states to jointly utilize its space station (http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2018-05/29/c_137213340.htm)
VIENNA, May 28 (Xinhua) -- China announced Monday that all member states of the United Nations are welcome to cooperate with China to jointly utilize its future China Space Station (CSS).
...
CSS, expected to be launched by 2019, and complete and brought into operation by 2022, will be the world's first space station that is developed by a developing country and open for cooperation with all UN member states...
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Are they using WGS84?
I don not know. I had assumed that they had their own model.
They use height above medium Earth radius of 6370.97 km.
Chinese heights when announced precisely are 7.1-7.2 km higher than Sven Grahn's RepeatPatternX program show for the same repeat pattern. I assume the model is the same but Sven's reference is 6378.14 km.
Medium orbital height from TLE related to the same 6378.14 km reference is usually 3.0-3.1 km higher than Sven's and 4.0 km less than the Chinese one.
Examples (Sven -- TLE -- Chinese):
HJ-1A/B: 641.9 -- 644.9 -- 649.1
GF-1: 637.4 -- 640.6 -- 644.5
GF-2: 624.4 -- 627.5 -- 631.6
ZY-3: 498.8 -- 502.7 -- 506.0
HJ-1C: 492.1 -- 495.1 -- 499.3
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Lot of sourcing on this article.
Heres what we know about Chinas future space station
https://qz.com/1292014/heres-what-we-know-about-chinas-future-space-station/amp/
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Here's the UN China Space Station handbook.
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some pics about the core modlue practise
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New article with updated launch schedule.
2020 Tianhe
2021 Wentian
2022 Mengtian
2021-2022 3-4 Shenzhou and several Tianzhou
http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2018-07/08/c_137310103.htm
"BEIJING, July 8 (Xinhua) -- China is accelerating its timetable for a space station, with the core capsule expected to be launched in 2020, says Yang Liwei, director of the China Manned Space Engineering Office and the country's first astronaut.
Yang told Chinese media recently that the two experiment modules of the space station will be sent into space in 2021 and 2022. Three or four manned missions and several cargo spacecraft are planned in 2021 and 2022.
After construction of the main parts of the space station, a capsule holding a large optical telescope will be sent into the same orbit to fly with the station, Yang said.
During construction of the station, the number of manned space missions will rise to about five a year, compared with once every two or three years when China began sending astronauts into space more than a decade ago. Astronaut recruitment will be expanded."
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China completes 1st test on propulsion system for space experiment module (http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2018-08/17/c_137398469.htm)
XI'AN, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- Chinese researchers have successfully completed the first test of the propulsion system for the experiment module of the country's planned space station.
The test consisted of eight procedures that covered all working conditions of an in-orbit experiment module. It also simulated possible errors the module may encounter in space, according to a research institute affiliated with China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC).
The test proved that the design of the propulsion system was scientific and its parameters setting was correct, according to the institute.
Two experiment modules of China's planned space station will be sent into space in 2021 and 2022, according to Yang Liwei, director of the China Manned Space Engineering Office and the country's first astronaut.
China is accelerating its timetable for a space station, with the core capsule expected to be launched in 2020, said Yang.
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China tests propulsion system of space station's lab capsules (http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2018-08/18/c_137399873.htm)
BEIJING, Aug. 18 (Xinhua) -- Engineers have successfully tested the propulsion system of China's planned space station lab capsules, a key step in its space station program.
Weighing 66 tonnes, the space station will comprise a core module and two lab capsules. The propulsion system will determine whether lab capsules can move in space.
Engineers designed 36 engines for the propulsion system with four to adjust the capsules' operation orbit and 32 to adjust flight attitude. Each engine is designed to work for at least 15 years, according to the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), the main manufacturer of the space station.
The engines worked well and passed tests in Shanghai, said the CASC.
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It might be interesting to try some comparison with Mir.
At 65 tons with three large modules in a T-shape, it will somewhat look like Mir as of 1990. That is - DOS-7 + Kvant-1 + Kvant-2 + Kristall. With Tianzhou playing the role of the FGB tug - and Progress altogether.
I'm not surprised either than the annual number of Shenzhou flights surges to 5 a year: that's pretty much Soyuz flight rate since Salyut 6 in 1978, up to the ISS days.
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It might be interesting to try some comparison with Mir.
At 65 tons with three large modules in a T-shape, it will somewhat look like Mir as of 1990. That is - DOS-7 + Kvant-1 + Kvant-2 + Kristall. With Tianzhou playing the role of the FGB tug - and Progress altogether.
I'm not surprised either than the annual number of Shenzhou flights surges to 5 a year: that's pretty much Soyuz flight rate since Salyut 6 in 1978, up to the ISS days.
I remember the others but what was DOS-7, was it the base module that the others were connected to?
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It might be interesting to try some comparison with Mir.
At 65 tons with three large modules in a T-shape, it will somewhat look like Mir as of 1990. That is - DOS-7 + Kvant-1 + Kvant-2 + Kristall. With Tianzhou playing the role of the FGB tug - and Progress altogether.
I'm not surprised either than the annual number of Shenzhou flights surges to 5 a year: that's pretty much Soyuz flight rate since Salyut 6 in 1978, up to the ISS days.
I remember the others but what was DOS-7, was it the base module that the others were connected to?
Yup, the Mir Core Module. DOS-8 is Zvezda.
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It will be interesting to see what they do with the station...so far a real use for space stations has escaped the US and USSR/Russia...other than just "doing space" it does not seem to be designed for anything in particular...
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It will be interesting to see what they do with the station...so far a real use for space stations has escaped the US and USSR/Russia...other than just "doing space" it does not seem to be designed for anything in particular...
ISS has had a large number of useful experiments, also there has been experience gained around ECLSS as well as long duration effects of weightlessness.
It's kind of a canard that there is no real use for stations. It might be true that the knowledge might be gained at a cost that some might not consider a good value, but to say no knowledge, no use? Not a very useful post since the truth is different.
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It will be interesting to see what they do with the station...so far a real use for space stations has escaped the US and USSR/Russia...other than just "doing space" it does not seem to be designed for anything in particular...
ISS has had a large number of useful experiments, also there has been experience gained around ECLSS as well as long duration effects of weightlessness.
It's kind of a canard that there is no real use for stations. It might be true that the knowledge might be gained at a cost that some might not consider a good value, but to say no knowledge, no use? Not a very useful post since the truth is different.
To add there was a short news piece in a recent issue of New Scientist talking about how there was concern at ISS ending in 2024 because a number of the longer term scientific experiments wouldnt be finished by then, and how difficult and costly it would be to complete them in other ways.
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It will be interesting to see what they do with the station...so far a real use for space stations has escaped the US and USSR/Russia...other than just "doing space" it does not seem to be designed for anything in particular...
ISS has had a large number of useful experiments, also there has been experience gained around ECLSS as well as long duration effects of weightlessness.
It's kind of a canard that there is no real use for stations. It might be true that the knowledge might be gained at a cost that some might not consider a good value, but to say no knowledge, no use? Not a very useful post since the truth is different.
ISS is in my view essential to a space future now. There is nothing it does that "makes money" but since we are going to spend the money anyway. It is the magnet that will, if the money is spent well, allow private enterprise to develop the keys (parts) to allow "someone" to put them together and make money with those parts.
The point I inelegantly made was that none of the claims for what it would do which were made in the 1980 period as the build was argued for...have occurred or are likely to. And it seems the Chinese are building one, to build one. They have the money.
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https://twitter.com/Yeqzids/status/1031971492916027393
Launch date of China's Space Station Telescope slipped from 2022 to 2024. Via @Skywatcher2018 's post relaying a talk at the #IAU2018.
https://skyweek.wordpress.com/2018/08/20/das-ist-chinas-version-von-hubble-start-2024/
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http://russian.news.cn/2018-09/26/c_137493976.htm
Translation
Key technical issues on the Chinese space station have been resolved, 13 flight missions are planned for its creation-the Deputy head of the office
Beijing, September 26 / Xinhua / -- Key technical issues related to the main systems of the Chinese space station have been resolved - 13 flight missions are planned for its creation. This was stated on Wednesday in Beijing, the Deputy head of the office of the manned space program of China Lin Xiqiang.
The Chinese space station should be built approximately in 2022. The process includes three stages: testing of key technologies, construction and commissioning of the space station.
"In particular, during the testing phase is scheduled for 6 missions, including the first flight of the carrier rocket "chanchzhen-5" /Long March-5B/, in the construction phase - 7 missions, including the launches of modules I and II," - said Lin, Sician during the presentation of the achievements of the Program of manned space exploration...
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http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2018-09/26/c_137494673.htm
China to conduct large-scale experiments in space station
BEIJING, Sept. 26 (Xinhua) -- China will carry out large-scale scientific experiments on space application projects after the completion of China's space station, according to a news briefing on China's space projects Wednesday.
China's manned space station is planned to be completed around 2022 and will be in orbit for more than 10 years.
"After the completion of the space station, space experiments and applications will become the main focus of the project," said Lin Xiqiang, deputy director of the China Manned Space Engineering Office, at the briefing.
Lyu Congmin, deputy chief designer of the space station's application system, said the space station will be a platform for more frontier space science experiments and applications.
"We have planned more than 13 laboratories and experimental platforms in the space station. A large optical telescope will be sent into the same orbit to fly with the station," Lyu said. "We will conduct more than 30 research projects in eight areas, including space astronomy, space life science and biotechnology, microgravity fundamental physics and space materials."
"The space station can support space applications in and out of the cabin, and the payload can be adjusted in orbit," said Lin. "I believe the large-scale experiments will bring more important achievements with international influence and application value."
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In a May 2015 interview with the RIA Novosti news agency, the deputy general director of the Russian Nudelman Precision Engineering Design Bureau (KB Tochmash) Vladimir Slobodchikov disclosed that his company was planning to build a lidar to be used in a "spacecraft docking system" of an unidentified foreign partner. "Basically, it is an information exchange system for space vehicles. The instrument can be used both as a detector and as a rangefinder. Currently we are holding talks and the technical specifications have been agreed upon", he said. The interview (in Russian) is here:
https://ria.ru/interview/20150519/1065282573.html
KB Tochmash is a weapons manufacturer whose main role in the space program so far has been to build anti-satellite weapons and it is not impossible that the lidar has its roots in one of those programs.
The only foreign partner that builds spacecraft docking systems and is not involved in ISS is China, so is KB Tochmash building a laser rangefinder for Shenzhou and/or Tianzhou dockings with the Chinese modular space station? And why would China have to rely on Russia to deliver such a system?
KB Tochmash's annual report for 2013 (the only one available online) mentions a contract signed with China on a research project called "Counter-terrorism" ("Antiterror"). This is obviously not related to the lidar, but it does show that KB Tochmash has done business with China before. The annual report (a RAR file in Russian) is here:
https://e-disclosure.ru/portal/FileLoad.ashx?Fileid=908225
(see p. 14)
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https://twitter.com/AJ_FI/status/1047811595693260800 (https://twitter.com/AJ_FI/status/1047811595693260800)
More than twice the size! :o
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https://ria.ru/space/20181004/1529951942.html
Translation
SAMARA, Oct 4 RIA Novosti. Scientists of the Samara national research University in cooperation with the Beijing Institute of space engineering are developing equipment for joint research on the Chinese space station, the press service of the Samara University said on Thursday.
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"It is planned that after the tests and relevant improvements, the final versions of scientific devices will be created for joint scientific research on the Chinese space station in 2021 within the framework of the Russian-Chinese project," the press service of Voronov quotes.
...
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According to the date on this image, that extension has been around since 2013!
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https://ria.ru/space/20181004/1529951942.html
Translation
SAMARA, Oct 4 RIA Novosti. Scientists of the Samara national research University in cooperation with the Beijing Institute of space engineering are developing equipment for joint research on the Chinese space station, the press service of the Samara University said on Thursday.
press release - https://ssau.ru/news/15862-inzhenery-samarskogo-universiteta-razrabatyvayut-nauchnuyu-apparaturu-dlya-rossiysko-kitayskikh-issledovaniy
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https://vk.com/chinaspaceflight?w=wall-119361981_3345
The 5th MANNED SPACE CONFERENCE 23-24.10.2018.
Translation
Presentation of the Chinese modular space station "Tianhe"
October 23, 2018 at the 5th Scientific Conference on Astronautics, which takes place in the city of Xi'an (PRC), a presentation of the new Chinese modular space station Tianhe was held.
When assembled, it should become the third multi-module manned orbital station in the world (after the Mir and the ISS stations), much smaller, but generally similar in function to the Mir orbital station.
The first module of the station is planned to be placed into Earth orbit in 2020. Manned ships "Shenzhou", modules weighing 15-20 tons, and automatic cargo ships of supply "Tianzhou" with a payload of 6 tons should dock to this orbital station.
Completion of construction is scheduled for 2022 with a lifespan of 10-15 years. When fully assembled, without QC, it will weigh about 60-80 tons, about 2 times less in mass and size to the Soviet station complex "Mir" (124 tons) and 7 times less than ISS (417 tons).
In contrast to the one-module visited orbital spacecraft Tyangun-1 and Tyangun-2, the Chinese space station consists of several modules. The base module of the station has its name - "Tianhe". It is planned to connect two laboratory modules to it: "Wentian" and "Mentian" so that all three modules form the letter "T". The transport manned ship "Shenzhou" and the cargo ship "Tianzhou" will dock with this structure.
The basic Tianhe module has 5 docking stations, therefore, in the future, this configuration of the modular station can be expanded with additional modules.
It was decided to make the module with the Xuntian telescope autonomous, but it will have a common orbit with the station. And it will periodically moor to the axial docking station of the docking station for maintenance and replacement of scientific instruments.
A full-size mock-up of the Tianhe modular space station will be demonstrated at the aerospace show in Zhuhai in early November of this year.
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A real size replica was presented at the Zhuhai Airshow
Live: Tianhe space station's core module on display 中国天和号空间站核心舱首次亮相
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l117JFoEOGI
For the first time ever, China's manned space station program is on show! The core module of China's Tianhe space station is on display at the on-going Airshow China in Zhuhai. Join CGTN's Sun Ye for a close look at the larger-than-life spacecraft, find out what it is capable of and what the capsule means for Chinas manned space mission.
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That was pretty good. Core module is 4 m in diameter, 17 m long and more than 20 t in mass. The front module can accommodate from three to six taikonauts. The video showed the robotic arm assembling the station. The interior was off limits to the camera crew. That will be shown closer to launch.
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That was pretty good. Core module is 4 m in diameter, 17 m long and more than 20 t in mass. The front module can accommodate from three to six taikonauts. The video showed the robotic arm assembling the station. The interior was off limits to the camera crew. That will be shown closer to launch.
What parts of the station would be assembled by the big arm?
I imagine a system similar to the soviet "Lyappa" would be used to move the autonomously docked modules from the front to the port and starboard docking ports. I see small grapple points on the node of the core module almost identical to Mir. But those would of course use their own little Lyappa-style arms, no need for a big ISS-style arm.
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That was pretty good. Core module is 4 m in diameter, 17 m long and more than 20 t in mass. The front module can accommodate from three to six taikonauts. The video showed the robotic arm assembling the station. The interior was off limits to the camera crew. That will be shown closer to launch.
What parts of the station would be assembled by the big arm?
I imagine a system similar to the soviet "Lyappa" would be used to move the autonomously docked modules from the front to the port and starboard docking ports. I see small grapple points on the node of the core module almost identical to Mir. But those would of course use their own little Lyappa-style arms, no need for a big ISS-style arm.
Visiting Vehicles (ie. Servicable telescope etc), external payloads.
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What parts of the station would be assembled by the big arm?
Visiting Vehicles (ie. Servicable telescope etc), external payloads.
I would have expected that the Xuntian telescope would have been capable of docking automatically without using a remote manipulator arm. From Chinese animations we know that it will use the front longitudinal port, with the visiting Shenzhou relocated to the lower berthing unit.
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What parts of the station would be assembled by the big arm?
Visiting Vehicles (ie. Servicable telescope etc), external payloads.
I would have expected that the Xuntian telescope would have been capable of docking automatically without using a remote manipulator arm. From Chinese animations we know that it will use the front longitudinal port, with the visiting Shenzhou relocated to the lower berthing unit.
should have been more detailed. Think HST servicing missions with RVA and EVA servicing. That is one of the reasons why it can dock.
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Physicist Wang Yifang, the mastermind behind the project, gives Nature an update on the ambitious project
Though extensively about Chinese plans for a future particle smasher this is also covered in it.
The institute is also pitching to fly an experimenta detector measuring highly energetic particles known as cosmic rayson Chinas crewed space station, set to launch in 2020. What will it do and how will it improve on existing experiments?
We want to know where cosmic rays come from, and how they get such high energy. Answers to these questions will help us to understand the Universe. We would also like to use it to search for new particles, such as dark matter, which cannot yet be generated by accelerators on Earth. One of todays best experiments for studying this is the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS) on the International Space Station, which has not yet seen clear evidence of dark matter. That means we need experiments that can detect more particles, and at higher energies. The High Energy Cosmic Radiation Detection experiment will be able to study particles roughly ten times the energy of the AMS, and measure their energies with better resolution. Weve almost finished our design and were now trying to get support from the Chinese government. Were probably talking about US$200 million to $300 million for the detector. Its on the list of candidates for possible projects for the future Chinese space station. We have to wait, but I am optimistic.
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/inside-the-plans-for-chinese-mega-collider-that-will-dwarf-the-lhc/
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http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2019-03/04/c_137868589.htm
BEIJING, March 4 (Xinhua) -- The China Manned Space Engineering Office (CMSEO) announced Monday that the core module of the country's space station, the Long March-5B carrier rocket and its payloads will be sent to the launch site in the second half of this year, to make preparations for the space station missions.
China is scheduled to complete the construction of the space station around 2022. It will be the country's space lab in long-term stable in-orbit operation.
The space station will have a core module and experiment modules, which are under development and will be launched into space by the Long March-5B.
Joint exercises will be carried out in the Wenchang Space Launch Center at the end of 2019 for the maiden flight of the Long March-5B.
Programs to select and train astronauts are underway...
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Now that I think about it, the servicable telescope is also functionally a man-tended free flyer. Which would make it a fine candidate as a bus basis for commercial man-tended free flyers. As in getting chinese and global companies interested in commercial zero-g manufacturing. Would be a good way of paying for the main station...
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China Space Station to be completed in 2022
SciNews
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Fjdh0b7DMc 2:56
China Space Station is expected to be completed in 2022. In 2019, a Long March-5B rocket is scheduled to launch the first module, the Tianhe-1 core module. Zhang Bainan, chief engineer, China Academy of Space Technology (CAST), explains the progress so far and the path forward.
Credit: China Central Television (CCTV)
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Is the reported launch date in 2019 for Tianhe correct? I thought that it was 2020 and it would be preceded by a CZ-5B test flight.
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Is the reported launch date in 2019 for Tianhe correct? I thought that it was 2020 and it would be preceded by a CZ-5B test flight.
That's my understanding as well.
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Some pics about the latest progress of CSS (April 2019)
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https://twitter.com/AJ_FI/status/1138802879601532928
https://twitter.com/AJ_FI/status/1138806626369069056
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http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2019-06/13/c_138139720.htm
VIENNA, June 13 (Xinhua) -- In a tangible step towards openness and international cooperation, China and the United Nations (UN) on Wednesday jointly announced nine international scientific experiments that would be conducted on the China Space Station (CSS).
The nine experiments involving 23 entities from 17 countries -- emerging from 42 proposals of 27 countries -- were selected, with six fully and three conditionally...
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Really interesting...
The UNOOSA-CMSA initiative received 42 applications from organizations in 27 countries following an Announcement of Opportunity issued in May 2018. The winning institutions are based in a wide range of countries, namely Belgium, China, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Kenya, the Netherlands, Norway, Mexico, Poland, Peru, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Spain and Switzerland.
Opening up the CSS to international participation is part of a charm offensive and wider efforts by China to demonstrate that there are routes for other countries on Earth to stimulate their space technology and science sectors without the Americans, Bowen adds.
https://spacenews.com/international-experiments-selected-to-fly-on-chinese-space-station/
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So is CSS (China Space Station) the official name now?
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Last I read, the complex is to be (confusingly) called 'Tiangong'.
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Last I read, the complex is to be (confusingly) called 'Tiangong'.
Importantly, not Tiangong 3 but simply Tiangong. I will refer to it as the "Tiangong Complex" as the modules are attached, just as I talked about the Mir Complex.
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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/6151776118 (https://tieba.baidu.com/p/6151776118)
https://tieba.baidu.com/p/6160324628 (https://tieba.baidu.com/p/6160324628)
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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/6151776118 (https://tieba.baidu.com/p/6151776118)
https://tieba.baidu.com/p/6160324628 (https://tieba.baidu.com/p/6160324628)
Thank you for your post. That is pretty massive impact if true.
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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/6151776118 (https://tieba.baidu.com/p/6151776118)
https://tieba.baidu.com/p/6160324628 (https://tieba.baidu.com/p/6160324628)
Rumours are easy.
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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.
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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.
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.
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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.
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.
Just the YF-100 which is derived from the Soviet era RD-120.
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As I understand it, the YF-100 is indeed an RD-120 derivative. But the YF-77 is an hydrolox gas generator, thus I assume an indigenous development. They have been using hydrolox for a long time and have seen some Chinese papers on the TP design.
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https://twitter.com/ShuttleAlmanac/status/1164511704752877574
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https://twitter.com/ShuttleAlmanac/status/1164511704752877574
China 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.
Not really surprising since a few years ago the Chinese indicated that they have the option to add a second core module and two more "radial" modules to the basic three-module Tiangong Complex which they have announced.
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From Xinhua,
China prepares for space station construction (http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2019-10/17/c_138479514.htm).
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From Xinhua,
China plans to complete space station construction around 2022: expert (http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2019-11/17/c_138562388.htm).
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https://twitter.com/AJ_FI/status/1219256104493948928
Note that official news has confirmed that this Space Station Core Module is a prototype and not the real deal, for launch site fit and rehersal tests. Though I wonder if it's the back up module... (http://www.9ifly.cn/forum.php?mod=redirect&goto=findpost&ptid=89336&pid=710472&fromuid=19646)
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Cross-post
From Xinhua
China's space station core module, manned spacecraft arrive at launch site (http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-01/20/c_138721451.htm)
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...
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Design of Combustion Science Experimental System for China Space Station
http://www.cjss.ac.cn/EN/10.11728/cjss2020.01.072
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.
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https://vk.com/chinaspaceflight?w=wall-119361981_6416
Translation
"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.
(http://forumfiles.ru/uploads/0019/c5/0a/13/t48853.jpg) (http://forumfiles.ru/uploads/0019/c5/0a/13/48853.jpg) (http://forumfiles.ru/uploads/0019/c5/0a/13/t96273.jpg) (http://forumfiles.ru/uploads/0019/c5/0a/13/96273.jpg)
(http://forumfiles.ru/uploads/0019/c5/0a/13/t95302.jpg) (http://forumfiles.ru/uploads/0019/c5/0a/13/95302.jpg) (http://forumfiles.ru/uploads/0019/c5/0a/13/t53170.jpg) (http://forumfiles.ru/uploads/0019/c5/0a/13/53170.jpg)
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This is my render of the Tian He core module
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From Xinhua
More details of China's space station unveiled (http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-05/18/c_139065907.htm).
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From Xinhua
More details of China's space station unveiled (http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-05/18/c_139065907.htm).
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.
This is nice!
The station could also perform as a sort of a space garage.
But is it really helpfull to have a telescope in an easily accessible orbit?
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https://twitter.com/Kaynouky/status/1265245090219536385
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Andrew Jones: China outlines intense space station launch schedule, new astronaut selection (https://spacenews.com/china-outlines-intense-space-station-launch-schedule-new-astronaut-selection/)
Launch of the Tianhe core module on a Long March 5B could take place at Wenchang in early 2021. This will be followed by a crewed Shenzhou flight, from Jiuquan, and a Tianzhou cargo mission. The first of two experiment modules will then launch for docking with Tianhe.
In total 11 launches will be conducted to complete the construction of the space station by around 2023
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Short interview with Zhou Jianping, chief designer of Chinas human space program
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Um5hrBlY-3Y
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Does this mean that the launch of the first module has been pushed back to 2021?
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Does this mean that the launch of the first module has been pushed back to 2021?
It was already known for some time that the launch would take place in the first quarter of 2021.
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https://vk.com/chinaspaceflight?w=wall-119361981_6416
(http://forumfiles.ru/uploads/0019/c5/0a/13/t95302.jpg) (http://forumfiles.ru/uploads/0019/c5/0a/13/95302.jpg)
I've just realized: the docking port is androgynous. At least it has the hooks to act as active or passive.
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https://vk.com/chinaspaceflight?w=wall-119361981_6416
(http://forumfiles.ru/uploads/0019/c5/0a/13/t95302.jpg) (http://forumfiles.ru/uploads/0019/c5/0a/13/95302.jpg)
I've just realized: the docking port is androgynous. At least it has the hooks to act as active or passive.
It has an active SCS due to the presence of dampening and realignment actuators.
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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.
https://www.iso.org/standard/61847.html
ISO 18238:2015
Space systems Closed loop problem solving management
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From Xinhua:
China Focus: 18 reserve astronauts selected for China's manned space program (http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-10/22/c_139459005.htm)
One astronaut can operate the mechanical arm inside the capsule while another works outside. The space station will have two kinds of mechanical arms, and the coordination between astronauts and mechanical arms will enable the construction and maintenance of the station.
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The latest issue of NPO Lavochkin's in-house magazine has an article on a joint Indian-Russian ultraviolet telescope (SING: Spectroscopic Observation of Nebular Gas) to be flown on the Chinese space station. It will complement observations made by the Spektr-UF observatory.
https://www.laspace.ru/upload/iblock/0aa/0aa8d098b9691940a4bd13f03a64255a.pdf
(in Russian) (p. 4-7)
SING was one of two international scientific experiments selected for the CSS in June last year, the other being a gamma-ray burst instrument jointly proposed by Switzerland, Poland, Germany and China. Seven more were expected to be selected at the time.
https://www.globaltimes.cn/content/1154057.shtml
More on SING here:
https://jcuva.ucm.es/NUVA2020_Posters/NUVA2020OnlineWorkshop_Poster_Murthy.pdf
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http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-12/25/c_139618817.htm
China to launch core module of space station in first half of 2021
2020-12-25 20:41:57
CHANGSHA, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- China plans to launch the core module of its manned space station in the first half of 2021, a senior official said Friday.
The core module will be sent by a Long March-5B Y2 rocket from the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in Hainan Province, said Zhou Jianping, chief designer of China's manned space program, at a handover ceremony for the return capsule of the Shenzhou-10 manned spacecraft in Shaoshan, central China's Hunan Province.
"Subsequent space missions include the launches of Tianzhou-2 cargo craft and Shenzhou-12 manned craft after the core module is sent into orbit," Zhou said.
Tests on the core module have been completed, and astronaut training is underway. The astronauts will carry out a number of extravehicular activities.
China is scheduled to complete the construction of the space station around 2022. The construction project will be implemented in two phases. Six flight missions, including the launch of the core module, have been scheduled in the phase of key technology validation.
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https://news.sina.com.cn/c/2020-12-25/doc-iiznctke8434323.shtml
https://twitter.com/AJ_FI/status/1342401277456769025
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Some good shots of the station's docking ports here. Can anyone tell whether they look like APAS or IDS standard? (I'm not visually familiar enough with the differences to distinguish them...)
In the past China has used a derivative of APAS on their stations, but there have been reports/statements that they intend to make Tiangong (and visiting vehicles going forward) compatible with the newer IDS standard. I'm curious whether they are actually going through with that or if that was just an unfounded/misinterpreted rumor.
At the moment the idea of transnational space station visits with China (Dragon/Starliner/DC to Tiangong or Shenzhou to ISS) would seem like a pipe dream on legal grounds, but it would make a lot of sense to at least try to make them as compatible as possible, so as to keep options open. (IDS is supposed to be structurally superior to boot - less impact on the station's structure from repeated dockings, which also makes it easier to abort a docking since approach velocity is reduced.)
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Some good shots of the station's docking ports here. Can anyone tell whether they look like APAS or IDS standard? (I'm not visually familiar enough with the differences to distinguish them...)
In the past China has used a derivative of APAS on their stations, but there have been reports/statements that they intend to make Tiangong (and visiting vehicles going forward) compatible with the newer IDS standard. I'm curious whether they are actually going through with that or if that was just an unfounded/misinterpreted rumor.
At the moment the idea of transnational space station visits with China (Dragon/Starliner/DC to Tiangong or Shenzhou to ISS) would seem like a pipe dream on legal grounds, but it would make a lot of sense to at least try to make them as compatible as possible, so as to keep options open. (IDS is supposed to be structurally superior to boot - less impact on the station's structure from repeated dockings, which also makes it easier to abort a docking since approach velocity is reduced.)
APAS is the version of IDSS offered by RSC Energia. A newer version of APAS is in development for proposed projects (i.e. Gateway et al) that is fully IDSS compliant with built in redundancy features. The Chinese licenced version of APAS is known in English as CDS or China Docking System.
China required it to be built to ISS MCB docking system requirements so that each station can serve the other as well as commercial stations in emergency situations.
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Some good shots of the station's docking ports here. Can anyone tell whether they look like APAS or IDS standard? (I'm not visually familiar enough with the differences to distinguish them...)
In the past China has used a derivative of APAS on their stations, but there have been reports/statements that they intend to make Tiangong (and visiting vehicles going forward) compatible with the newer IDS standard. I'm curious whether they are actually going through with that or if that was just an unfounded/misinterpreted rumor.
At the moment the idea of transnational space station visits with China (Dragon/Starliner/DC to Tiangong or Shenzhou to ISS) would seem like a pipe dream on legal grounds, but it would make a lot of sense to at least try to make them as compatible as possible, so as to keep options open. (IDS is supposed to be structurally superior to boot - less impact on the station's structure from repeated dockings, which also makes it easier to abort a docking since approach velocity is reduced.)
APAS is the version of IDSS offered by RSC Energia. A newer version of APAS is in development for proposed projects (i.e. Gateway et al) that is fully IDSS compliant with built in redundancy features. The Chinese licenced version of APAS is known in English as CDS or China Docking System.
China required it to be built to ISS MCB docking system requirements so that each station can serve the other as well as commercial stations in emergency situations.
Thanks - that clears things up quite a bit!
I keep forgetting that the IDSS standard, like APAS before it, allows for substantial independence in how it's implemented mechanically by different nations and companies, even as the interface itself is mutually compatible. The last time the U.S. built a docking system indigenously prior to NDS was for Apollo-Soyuz, and apparently their implementation of that original version of APAS was quite different mechanically than the Soviet one. So I can see how NASA/U.S.-focused sources would draw a sharper terminological line between "APAS" (referring to the legacy high-impact system as implemented by the PMAs and Shuttle's docking adapter) versus "IDS/NDS" (the modern low-impact system as implemented by the IDAs and Commercial crew vehicles), compared to Russian/Chinese-focused sources. NDS, NASA's reference implementation of IDSS developed by Boeing out of the LIDS project and used by the IDAs, seems to be a clean-sheet design deriving from neither the historical American Apollo-Soyuz APAS implementation, nor from the Russian-proprietary implementation used on Shuttle-ISS/Mir, hence NASA doesn't refer to their new ports as "APAS". Likewise SpaceX, which opted to do their own clean-sheet implementation of IDSS instead of buying Boeing's, wouldn't be able to claim APAS heritage per se. But since Russia has been continuously producing and evolving docking hardware from the 60's to the present day, it stands to reason their implementation of IDSS would have more substantial mechanical heritage in APAS, hence why they continue to use that term to describe it. (Did I get all that right? :) )
I do find it interesting that China is choosing to put its new space station in a ~42° orbit instead of a ~51.6° orbit matching the ISS's. Having compatible docking ports is nice but not especially useful when the two stations are separated by so much delta-v; it limits the utility in "emergency situations" to ones where one nation's vehicle is launching fresh from the ground to visit the other's station, as opposed to traveling from one station to the other. Just as Mir and the ISS were supposed to overlap and allow for cross-visits (as was done between Mir and Salyut 7), it seems most if not all near-term commercial stations will be joining the 51.6° inclination for that reason. (Axiom Station in particular, being the most credible plan for a commercial station right now, will have to be at 51.6° because it will start out as an extension to the ISS.)
It also freezes out Russia from sending Soyuz/Progress/Oryol vehicles to the Chinese station since none of their launch sites can reach 42°, which strikes me as strange considering how closely involved Russia and China have been on this project (and Russia's recently stated intent to double down on that partnership in the future instead of getting more involved with the U.S.). Even if they launched straight east from Baikonur (which I suppose they could do in partnership with China, since Baikonur's azimuth restrictions are driven by the need to avoid overflying Mongolia), they still wouldn't be able to get any lower than ~45° without a substantial dogleg. Are China's launches for station modules and visiting vehicles so mass-constrained that they can't spend the small extra delta-v to go to 51.6°? It just seems like the smarter play considering that's where all the action is.
Or am I overestimating the difficulty of the dogleg necessary to get to 42° from Baikonur or Vostochny? I can't imagine Soyuz-2.1a being able to pull it off given it's tightly mass-constrained on Soyuz and Progress launches, but maybe if they bumped it up to a Soyuz-2.1b they could do it?
-
Some good shots of the station's docking ports here. Can anyone tell whether they look like APAS or IDS standard? (I'm not visually familiar enough with the differences to distinguish them...)
In the past China has used a derivative of APAS on their stations, but there have been reports/statements that they intend to make Tiangong (and visiting vehicles going forward) compatible with the newer IDS standard. I'm curious whether they are actually going through with that or if that was just an unfounded/misinterpreted rumor.
At the moment the idea of transnational space station visits with China (Dragon/Starliner/DC to Tiangong or Shenzhou to ISS) would seem like a pipe dream on legal grounds, but it would make a lot of sense to at least try to make them as compatible as possible, so as to keep options open. (IDS is supposed to be structurally superior to boot - less impact on the station's structure from repeated dockings, which also makes it easier to abort a docking since approach velocity is reduced.)
APAS is the version of IDSS offered by RSC Energia. A newer version of APAS is in development for proposed projects (i.e. Gateway et al) that is fully IDSS compliant with built in redundancy features. The Chinese licenced version of APAS is known in English as CDS or China Docking System.
China required it to be built to ISS MCB docking system requirements so that each station can serve the other as well as commercial stations in emergency situations.
Thanks - that clears things up quite a bit!
I keep forgetting that the IDSS standard, like APAS before it, allows for substantial independence in how it's implemented mechanically by different nations and companies, even as the interface itself is mutually compatible. The last time the U.S. built a docking system indigenously prior to NDS was for Apollo-Soyuz, and apparently their implementation of that original version of APAS was quite different mechanically than the Soviet one. So I can see how NASA/U.S.-focused sources would draw a sharper terminological line between "APAS" (referring to the legacy high-impact system as implemented by the PMAs and Shuttle's docking adapter) versus "IDS/NDS" (the modern low-impact system as implemented by the IDAs and Commercial crew vehicles), compared to Russian/Chinese-focused sources. NDS, NASA's reference implementation of IDSS developed by Boeing out of the LIDS project and used by the IDAs, seems to be a clean-sheet design deriving from neither the historical American Apollo-Soyuz APAS implementation, nor from the Russian-proprietary implementation used on Shuttle-ISS/Mir, hence NASA doesn't refer to their new ports as "APAS". Likewise SpaceX, which opted to do their own clean-sheet implementation of IDSS instead of buying Boeing's, wouldn't be able to claim APAS heritage per se. But since Russia has been continuously producing and evolving docking hardware from the 60's to the present day, it stands to reason their implementation of IDSS would have more substantial mechanical heritage in APAS, hence why they continue to use that term to describe it. (Did I get all that right? :) )
I do find it interesting that China is choosing to put its new space station in a ~42° orbit instead of a ~51.6° orbit matching the ISS's. Having compatible docking ports is nice but not especially useful when the two stations are separated by so much delta-v; it limits the utility in "emergency situations" to ones where one nation's vehicle is launching fresh from the ground to visit the other's station, as opposed to traveling from one station to the other. Just as Mir and the ISS were supposed to overlap and allow for cross-visits (as was done between Mir and Salyut 7), it seems most if not all near-term commercial stations will be joining the 51.6° inclination for that reason. (Axiom Station in particular, being the most credible plan for a commercial station right now, will have to be at 51.6° because it will start out as an extension to the ISS.)
It also freezes out Russia from sending Soyuz/Progress/Oryol vehicles to the Chinese station since none of their launch sites can reach 42°, which strikes me as strange considering how closely involved Russia and China have been on this project (and Russia's recently stated intent to double down on that partnership in the future instead of getting more involved with the U.S.). Even if they launched straight east from Baikonur (which I suppose they could do in partnership with China, since Baikonur's azimuth restrictions are driven by the need to avoid overflying Mongolia), they still wouldn't be able to get any lower than ~45° without a substantial dogleg. Are China's launches for station modules and visiting vehicles so mass-constrained that they can't spend the small extra delta-v to go to 51.6°? It just seems like the smarter play considering that's where all the action is.
Or am I overestimating the difficulty of the dogleg necessary to get to 42° from Baikonur or Vostochny? I can't imagine Soyuz-2.1a being able to pull it off given it's tightly mass-constrained on Soyuz and Progress launches, but maybe if they bumped it up to a Soyuz-2.1b they could do it?
The IDA's development, design and manufacture involved Boeing, RSC Energia et al. The IDSS calls for an impact range supporting legacy APAS impact velocities to LIDS ultra low impact velocities. This may change in a future revision years to decades in the future.
Chinese launches can reach 51.6. They have been back and forth on the planned inclination. Also Russia has been given frozen water over the past few years in Chinese discussions because China's Central Committee et al have declined to give authorization and the Chinese side has to have approvals for anything beyond pondering discussion. If you have a subscription Russian Space Web this is greatly detailed and goes in to the repeated deal breakers including topics outside of space. It heavily relies on Russia increasingly not having much to offer major technologies wise with China having lapped Russia in many fields. It also comes down to that if it is not approved in China's 5 year plans and not proposed first by them then approvals are hard to come by.
-
Some good shots of the station's docking ports here. Can anyone tell whether they look like APAS or IDS standard? (I'm not visually familiar enough with the differences to distinguish them...)
In the past China has used a derivative of APAS on their stations, but there have been reports/statements that they intend to make Tiangong (and visiting vehicles going forward) compatible with the newer IDS standard. I'm curious whether they are actually going through with that or if that was just an unfounded/misinterpreted rumor.
At the moment the idea of transnational space station visits with China (Dragon/Starliner/DC to Tiangong or Shenzhou to ISS) would seem like a pipe dream on legal grounds, but it would make a lot of sense to at least try to make them as compatible as possible, so as to keep options open. (IDS is supposed to be structurally superior to boot - less impact on the station's structure from repeated dockings, which also makes it easier to abort a docking since approach velocity is reduced.)
APAS is the version of IDSS offered by RSC Energia. A newer version of APAS is in development for proposed projects (i.e. Gateway et al) that is fully IDSS compliant with built in redundancy features. The Chinese licenced version of APAS is known in English as CDS or China Docking System.
China required it to be built to ISS MCB docking system requirements so that each station can serve the other as well as commercial stations in emergency situations.
Thanks - that clears things up quite a bit!
I keep forgetting that the IDSS standard, like APAS before it, allows for substantial independence in how it's implemented mechanically by different nations and companies, even as the interface itself is mutually compatible. The last time the U.S. built a docking system indigenously prior to NDS was for Apollo-Soyuz, and apparently their implementation of that original version of APAS was quite different mechanically than the Soviet one. So I can see how NASA/U.S.-focused sources would draw a sharper terminological line between "APAS" (referring to the legacy high-impact system as implemented by the PMAs and Shuttle's docking adapter) versus "IDS/NDS" (the modern low-impact system as implemented by the IDAs and Commercial crew vehicles), compared to Russian/Chinese-focused sources. NDS, NASA's reference implementation of IDSS developed by Boeing out of the LIDS project and used by the IDAs, seems to be a clean-sheet design deriving from neither the historical American Apollo-Soyuz APAS implementation, nor from the Russian-proprietary implementation used on Shuttle-ISS/Mir, hence NASA doesn't refer to their new ports as "APAS". Likewise SpaceX, which opted to do their own clean-sheet implementation of IDSS instead of buying Boeing's, wouldn't be able to claim APAS heritage per se. But since Russia has been continuously producing and evolving docking hardware from the 60's to the present day, it stands to reason their implementation of IDSS would have more substantial mechanical heritage in APAS, hence why they continue to use that term to describe it. (Did I get all that right? :) )
I do find it interesting that China is choosing to put its new space station in a ~42° orbit instead of a ~51.6° orbit matching the ISS's. Having compatible docking ports is nice but not especially useful when the two stations are separated by so much delta-v; it limits the utility in "emergency situations" to ones where one nation's vehicle is launching fresh from the ground to visit the other's station, as opposed to traveling from one station to the other. Just as Mir and the ISS were supposed to overlap and allow for cross-visits (as was done between Mir and Salyut 7), it seems most if not all near-term commercial stations will be joining the 51.6° inclination for that reason. (Axiom Station in particular, being the most credible plan for a commercial station right now, will have to be at 51.6° because it will start out as an extension to the ISS.)
It also freezes out Russia from sending Soyuz/Progress/Oryol vehicles to the Chinese station since none of their launch sites can reach 42°, which strikes me as strange considering how closely involved Russia and China have been on this project (and Russia's recently stated intent to double down on that partnership in the future instead of getting more involved with the U.S.). Even if they launched straight east from Baikonur (which I suppose they could do in partnership with China, since Baikonur's azimuth restrictions are driven by the need to avoid overflying Mongolia), they still wouldn't be able to get any lower than ~45° without a substantial dogleg. Are China's launches for station modules and visiting vehicles so mass-constrained that they can't spend the small extra delta-v to go to 51.6°? It just seems like the smarter play considering that's where all the action is.
Or am I overestimating the difficulty of the dogleg necessary to get to 42° from Baikonur or Vostochny? I can't imagine Soyuz-2.1a being able to pull it off given it's tightly mass-constrained on Soyuz and Progress launches, but maybe if they bumped it up to a Soyuz-2.1b they could do it?
The IDA's development, design and manufacture involved Boeing, RSC Energia et al. The IDSS calls for an impact range supporting legacy APAS impact velocities to LIDS ultra low impact velocities. This may change in a future revision years to decades in the future.
Chinese launches can reach 51.6. They have been back and forth on the planned inclination. Also Russia has been given frozen water over the past few years in Chinese discussions because China's Central Committee et al have declined to give authorization and the Chinese side has to have approvals for anything beyond pondering discussion. If you have a subscription Russian Space Web this is greatly detailed and goes in to the repeated deal breakers including topics outside of space. It heavily relies on Russia increasingly not having much to offer major technologies wise with China having lapped Russia in many fields. It also comes down to that if it is not approved in China's 5 year plans and not proposed first by them then approvals are hard to come by.
Link to subscription article that details why Russia and China won't be doing anything jointly anytime soon. Yes it is not about space stations but the same applies: http://russianspaceweb.com/protected/spacecraft-manned-lunar-china.html
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China is choosing to put its new space station in a ~42° orbit
The Jiuquan launch center is at 41°N so if the station were orbiting in that inclination, Shenzhou 12 (and presumably subsequent Shenzhou) would have regular opportunities to launch due east into the orbital plane of the station.
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Great thread about Xuntian (free-flying, Tiangong-tended space telescope):
https://twitter.com/dr_guangtou/status/1384547272264925188
Transcript below, but do check the Twitter thread for images:
Here is a thread about CSST (Chinese Space Station Telescope): A low-orbit, 2-m NUV-optical space telescope focusing on large sky surveys. It is a separate module of the new space station and planned to launch around 2025.
The telescope has an off-axis TMA design using SiC mirrors with some "active" capability for in-orbit adjustment. It has ~1.1 deg^2 FoV for the main sky survey while having four separate small instruments. The designed resolution is around 0.12-0.15 arcsec.
The main goal of CSST is a multi-band (NUV, u, g, r, i, z), large area (17500 deg^2) sky survey to r>25 mag that also has grism spectra coverage (r~22). There is also a 400 deg^2 deep field and 1 or 2 much smaller UD fields.
The main instrument is a very complicated camera for the main survey. Instead of a sophisticated filter change mechanism, the focal plane may remind you of the original SDSS survey: each detector has a fixed filter on it.
Another important component is a multi-channel imager (MCI) that can observe in three-band simultaneously. It has a 7.7x7.7 arcmin FoV with 0.05 arcsec/pixel resolution. It will bring ~30 broad+medium+narrow band filters. I call it "poor man's WFC3".
CSST will also carry a small optical IFU instrument using an image slicer, mainly for scientific demonstration. It has a 6x6 arcsec FoV, 0.2 arcsec spatial resolution, and covers 0.4-0.9 micron in wavelength with R>1000.
Another interesting aspect of CSST is: it can dock to the space station for maintenance and upgrade in the future! In the current design, >20 modules of the telescope can be replaced or have the potential for upgrade.
[...]
Some personal notes: I have been involved in CSST science preparation for a little bit, and it will be an important part of my plan for the next five years. While being super excited about it, I also feel very nervous... Chinese astronomy community is still pretty new and relatively small. Compared to the American and European communities, we still lack the experience to handle such a complex space telescope project. So there will a lot of trial and error... Luckily, we do have a group of brilliant young scientists working on it, and that gives me all the hope I need. Hopefully, I can put this ambitious project on your radar. And hopefully, we can develop many international collaborations using CSST data.
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https://www.leonarddavid.com/china-to-loft-key-space-station-module/
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Great thread about Xuntian (free-flying, Tiangong-tended space telescope):
https://twitter.com/dr_guangtou/status/1384547272264925188
https://www.space.com/china-hubble-class-telescope-for-space-station
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There's a very detailed schedule of all the launches to Tiangong.
https://m.weibo.cn/2645044133/4628198653170200
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Here's the Bing translation of the schedule. I corrected some of the spacecraft numbers. Well that was fast, the tweet has now been made private!
Schedule for the construction of our space station:
2021.04.29: CZ-5B Y2 launch core module;
2021.05.20: CZ-7 Y3 launch tianzhou II;
2021.06.10: CZ-2F/G Y12 launches Shenzhou XII
2021.09: Shenzhou XIO returns, CZ-7 Y4 launch tianzhou III;
2021.10: CZ-2F/G Y13 launch shenzhou XIII;
2022.03: Shenzhou XIII returns;
2022.03-04: CZ-7 Y5 Launch Tianzhou IV;
2022.04: Evaluation of critical technology validation of the space station;
2022.05: CZ-2F/G Y14 launch Shenzhou XIV;
2022.05-06: CZ-5B Y3 Launch QuestionIng Laboratory Module;
2022.08-09: CZ-5B Y4 Launch Dream Day Experimental Module;
2022.10: CZ-7 Y6 launch of Tianzhou V;
2022.11: CZ-2F/G Y15 launch Shenzhou XV (will be docked with Shenzhou XIV for 10 days, when the number of people in orbit will reach 6).
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Here's the Bing translation of the schedule. I corrected some of the spacecraft numbers. Well that was fast, the tweet has now been made private!
Schedule for the construction of our space station:
2021.04.29: CZ-5B Y2 launch core module;
2021.05.20: CZ-7 Y3 launch tianzhou II;
2021.06.10: CZ-2F/G Y12 launches Shenzhou XII
2021.09: Shenzhou XIO returns, CZ-7 Y4 launch tianzhou III;
2021.10: CZ-2F/G Y13 launch shenzhou XIII;
2022.03: Shenzhou XIII returns;
2022.03-04: CZ-7 Y5 Launch Tianzhou IV;
2022.04: Evaluation of critical technology validation of the space station;
2022.05: CZ-2F/G Y14 launch Shenzhou XIV;
2022.05-06: CZ-5B Y3 Launch QuestionIng Laboratory Module;
2022.08-09: CZ-5B Y4 Launch Dream Day Experimental Module;
2022.10: CZ-7 Y6 launch of Tianzhou V;
2022.11: CZ-2F/G Y15 launch Shenzhou XV (will be docked with Shenzhou XIV for 10 days, when the number of people in orbit will reach 6).
So is SZ14 to be in independent flight during the docking of Wentian and Mengtian? And would they leave Wentian at the forward docking port until Mengtian arrive so to keep things mostly symmetrical?
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So is SZ14 to be in independent flight during the docking of Wentian and Mengtian? And would they leave Wentian at the forward docking port until Mengtian arrive so to keep things mostly symmetrical?
I think that the crew of SZ-14 will assist the docking of the two modules within the station.
I suppose we will see an 'L-shaped' station for some time. Wentian will dock on the axial port and then be moved to a lateral port shortly before Mengtian launch. Then Mengtian docks also on the axial port and will be moved to the lateral port opposite do Wentian. Just like has been done on Mir.
With SZ-15 docked at the same time as SZ-14, this looks to be the first Tiangong crew station rotation.
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Regarding the new Chinese space station...
https://youtu.be/GTZt9eJ8noQ
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From the video Tian He (pronounced tian hur) mass is 22.5 t. Altitude 400 km. Tian He has 50 m³ internal volume. Minimum crew is three, but can sustain 6-7 crew. Uses UDMH/N2O4 propellant to maintain orbit. The silver domes are covers for viewing ports (css-02). Exercise bike (css-03). Main lab (css-04). Can hold 8 t of propellant. Total mass is 62 t with Wentian, Mengtian and Shenzhou. Working with UN and 80 other countries for microgravity experiments. Has robotic arm. Space toilet (css-08). Looks a lot like the Shuttle toilet. Food pack (css-09,10). CSS could carry a robot in the future. Astronaut tilt table (css-11). EVA suit (css-12).
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Much more probably that css-02 shows the gyroscopic attitude control set -- six gyrodynes.
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Much more probably that css-02 shows the gyroscopic attitude control set -- six gyrodynes.
Yes, you are right. These are one of the six gyroscopes. There are two small round windows (portholes) on port and starboard. And maybe in some doors of the docking ports.
Here is a a nice chart with labels I posted also in then Tianhe thread:
https://www.shymkent.info/space/chinese-spaceflight/chinese-space-station-core-module-tianhe/ (https://www.shymkent.info/space/chinese-spaceflight/chinese-space-station-core-module-tianhe/)
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Interior tour of Tiangong... http://www.cmse.gov.cn/vr/vr/index.html?scene_id=55299438
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Interior tour of Tiangong... http://www.cmse.gov.cn/vr/vr/index.html?scene_id=55299438
While neat, it is not accurate even a bit. Compare with real shots of the interior: https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=40613.msg2229565#msg2229565
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Tian He has 50 m³ internal volume.
That seems a little on the small size for a module of this size and configuration, and the interior shots that we have seen. the roughly similar Mir base block was ~100 m3, Salyut 6 and 7 ~80, I think.
I wonder then if this refers to habitable rather than pressurised volume?
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Tian He has 50 m³ internal volume.
That seems a little on the small size for a module of this size and configuration, and the interior shots that we have seen. the roughly similar Mir base block was ~100 m3, Salyut 6 and 7 ~80, I think.
I wonder then if this refers to habitable rather than pressurised volume?
50m3 is the habitable volume which refers to the narrow part of the module, the wider part got 90-100m3, makes it a combination of 150m3 pressurized volume.
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A nicely crafted CG of the launch and assembly of China space station in its early stage:
https://www.bilibili.com/video/BV1nB4y1c7aX
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china-to-loft-key-space-station-module
The images are from China plans four crewed missions to space
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GbYQbc4o3Lc
Some details about the core module and future plans
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUTBnmHZ-qQ
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The second video shows Shenzhou docking to a nadir port, while two Tianzhou spacecraft are docked to the aft and forward ports. This could be for Shenzhou 13.
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Xuntian space telescope
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Xuntian space telescope
Is there any information about how this free-flying telescope will attach to the station for servicing? Does it have a docking adapter, or will it be grabbed by the station arm? (I presume the latter)
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So questioning ESA astronauts going to the Chinese station is against the rules now?
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Xuntian space telescope
Is there any information about how this free-flying telescope will attach to the station for servicing? Does it have a docking adapter, or will it be grabbed by the station arm? (I presume the latter)
I believe it has both and even a small compartment at the back that can be pressurized for instrument replacement/servicing. See the Twitter thread bellow for good introduction to it:
https://twitter.com/dr_guangtou/status/1384547293089644545
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So questioning ESA astronauts going to the Chinese station is against the rules now?
Somehow I feel that this is unlikely to happen on both sides given their relationship lately and that the co-operation on HSF has yet to happen unlike the case of the Russians.
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Every single major operations in the construction of the CSS through to late 2022:
(from Chinese social media - I'm not sure of its original source but it looks legit)
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Xuntian space telescope
Is there any information about how this free-flying telescope will attach to the station for servicing? Does it have a docking adapter, or will it be grabbed by the station arm? (I presume the latter)
I believe it has both and even a small compartment at the back that can be pressurized for instrument replacement/servicing.
The general scheme reminds me of astronaut-tended Marshall Space Flight Center / Apollo Applications era proposals. (Precursors to the Hubble Space Telescope, activities that a space station could support.)
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I believe it has both and even a small compartment at the back that can be pressurized for instrument replacement/servicing. See the Twitter thread bellow for good introduction to it:
I'm curious to see if that is what they actually do. If you think about it, that could create some major design headaches, because if the instruments are contained in a pressurizable compartment, then they have to be isolated from the vacuum. If an astronaut pulls out an instrument, it cannot open up a hole that allows the air to escape. It might make more sense to do all of that servicing unpressurized.
Pressurized servicing was considered in some NASA telescope designs in the late 1960s, but that was abandoned.
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International scientific experiments onboard the China Space Station
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8S9iHlJjNo
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Every single major operations in the construction of the CSS through to late 2022:
(from Chinese social media - I'm not sure of its original source but it looks legit)
Great resource! I wonder though if Tianzhou 2 and 3 docked operations overlap how Shenzhou 13 can dock to an axial port, since both are occupied. Does it mean nadir port maybe instead (as this is the other one for Shenzhou docking operations)? Edit: nadir port confirmed by graphics and videos
Based on this infographic and NET dates published on Twitter I constructed this guesstimated current timeline of upcoming CSS operations:
May 29 at ~12:55 UTC - launch of Tianzhou 2 on CZ-7
May 30 at ~19:30 UTC - docking of Tianzhou 2 with aft port of Tianhe
June 17 - launch of Shenzhou 12 on CZ-2F/G
June 18 (NET) - docking of Shenzhou 12 with forward port of Tianhe
August (NET) - undocking of Tianzhou 2 from aft port of Tianhe for rendezvous testing
September (NET) - undocking from forward port & landing of Shenzhou 12
September (NET) - docking of Tianzhou 2 with forward port of Tianhe for propellant transfer testing
September (NET) - launch of Tianzhou 3 on CZ-7
September (NET) - docking of Tianzhou 3 with aft port of Tianhe
October (NET) - launch of Shenzhou 13 on CZ-2F/G
October (NET) - docking of Shenzhou 13 with nadir port of Tianhe
October (NET) - robotic arm relocation testing of Tianzhou 2 (to side port?)
October (NET) - undocking of Tianzhou 2 from forward (side?) port of Tianhe for EOM & reentry
March (NET) - undocking from nadir port & landing of Shenzhou 13
March (NET) - undocking of Tianzhou 3 from aft port & docking at forward port of Tianhe
March/April (NET) - launch of Tianzhou 4 on CZ-7
March/April (NET) - docking of Tianzhou 4 with aft port of Tianhe
May (NET) - launch of Shenzhou 14 on CZ-2F/G
May (NET) - docking of Shenzhou 14 with nadir port of Tianhe
May (NET) - undocking of Tianzhou 3 from forward port of Tianhe for EOM & reentry
May/June (NET) - launch of Wentian on CZ-5B
May/June (NET) - docking of Wentian at forward port of Tianhe
After this it gets a bit murky as Tianzhou 5 operations seem to overlap with Tianzhou 4 but there is no free docking port? But maybe TZ-4 will undock before TZ-5 arrives as it was scheduled (according to Twitter) to fly only in Oct. 2022?
July? (NET) - undocking of Tianzhou 4 from aft port of Tianhe for EOM & reentry
July? (NET) - launch of Tianzhou 5 on CZ-7
July? (NET) - docking of Tianzhou 5 with aft port of Tianhe
July? (NET) - robotic relocation of Wentian from forward to starboard on Tianhe
August/September (NET) - Mengtian launch on CZ-5B
August/September (NET) - docking of Mengtian at forward port of Tianhe
September? (NET) - robotic relocation of Mengtian from forward to port on Tianhe
November (NET) - launch of Shenzhou 15 on CZ-2F/G
November (NET) - docking of Shenzhou 15 with forward port of Tianhe
November (NET) - undocking from nadir port & landing of Shenzhou 14
December? (NET) - undocking of Tianzhou 5 from aft port of Tianhe for EOM & reentry
Corrections & input welcome!
Edit May 18
Edit May 19
Edit May 20
Edit May 21
Edit May 28
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Xuntian space telescope
Is there any information about how this free-flying telescope will attach to the station for servicing? Does it have a docking adapter, or will it be grabbed by the station arm? (I presume the latter)
Former
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https://twitter.com/yangyuguang1/status/1388678435849981956
1:100 model of China's space station!
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Every single major operations in the construction of the CSS through to late 2022:
(from Chinese social media - I'm not sure of its original source but it looks legit)
Great resource! I wonder though if Tianzhou 2 and 3 docked operations overlap how Shenzhou 13 can dock to an axial port, since both are occupied. Does it mean nadir port maybe instead (as this is the other one for Shenzhou docking operations)?
Based on this infographic and NET dates published on Twitter I constructed this guesstimated current timeline of upcoming CSS operations:
May 20 - launch of Tianzhou 2 on CZ-7
May 22 (NET) - docking of Tianzhou 2 with aft port of Tianhe
June 10 - launch of Shenzhou 12 on CZ-2F/G
June 11 (NET) - docking of Shenzhou 12 with forward port of Tianhe
August (NET) - undocking of Tianzhou 2 from aft port of Tianhe for rendezvous testing
September (NET) - undocking from forward port & landing of Shenzhou 12
September (NET) - docking of Tianzhou 2 with forward port of Tianhe for propellant transfer testing
September (NET) - launch of Tianzhou 3 on CZ-7
September (NET) - docking of Tianzhou 3 with aft port of Tianhe
October (NET) - launch of Shenzhou 13 on CZ-2F/G
October (NET) - docking of Shenzhou 13 with axial (nadir?) port of Tianhe
October (NET) - robotic arm relocation testing of Tianzhou 2 (to side port?)
October (NET) - undocking of Tianzhou 2 from forward (side?) port of Tianhe for EOM & reentry
March (NET) - undocking from axial port & landing of Shenzhou 13
March (NET) - undocking of Tianzhou 3 from aft port & docking at forward port of Tianhe
March/April (NET) - launch of Tianzhou 4 on CZ-7
March/April (NET) - docking of Tianzhou 4 with aft port of Tianhe
May (NET) - launch of Shenzhou 14 on CZ-2F/G
May (NET) - docking of Shenzhou 14 with axial (nadir?) port of Tianhe
May (NET) - undocking of Tianzhou 3 from forward port of Tianhe for EOM & reentry
May/June (NET) - launch of Wentian on CZ-5B
May/June (NET) - docking of Wentian at forward port of Tianhe
After this it gets a bit murky as Tianzhou 5 operations seem to overlap with Tianzhou 4 but there is no free docking port? But maybe TZ-4 will undock before TZ-5 arrives as it was scheduled (according to Twitter) to fly only in Oct. 2022?
July? (NET) - undocking of Tianzhou 4 from aft port of Tianhe for EOM & reentry
July? (NET) - launch of Tianzhou 5 on CZ-7
July? (NET) - docking of Tianzhou 5 with aft port of Tianhe
July? (NET) - robotic relocation of Wentian from forward to port on Tianhe
August/September (NET) - Mengtian launch on CZ-5B
August/September (NET) - docking of Mengtian at forward port of Tianhe
September? (NET) - robotic relocation of Mentian from forward to starboard on Tianhe
November (NET) - launch of Shenzhou 15 on CZ-2F/G
November (NET) - docking of Shenzhou 15 with forward port of Tianhe
November (NET) - undocking from axial (nadir?) port & landing of Shenzhou 14
December? (NET) - undocking of Tianzhou 5 from aft port of Tianhe for EOM & reentry
Corrections & input welcome!
BTW the source of my diagram has been found - it's in the launch mission booklet for the Core Module launch by CASC.
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Graphic representation from spaceflightfans.cn: http://www.spaceflightfans.cn/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/img-1619620155408431362542ac542206ecdfcab9a792163-768x3019.jpg
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In the last few days, I came across a Chinese-source presentation detailing international contributions to the China Space Station, but I cannot find it again. Does anyone have an idea which document this could be?
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In the last few days, I came across a Chinese-source presentation detailing international contributions to the China Space Station, but I cannot find it again. Does anyone have an idea which document this could be?
Might it be this one: https://www.unoosa.org/documents/doc/psa/hsti/CSS_1stAO/CSS_1stAO_Handbook_2018.pdf ?
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I'm afraid not but thanks.
The one I am looking for actually mentions international partners in specific research, along with their national flags...
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I'm afraid not but thanks.
The one I am looking for actually mentions international partners in specific research, along with their national flags...
Maybe you're talking about the beginning of this video posted above?
International scientific experiments onboard the China Space Station
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8S9iHlJjNo
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Looks like the document I saw used the images from this video or vise versa. Thanks a lot!
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Looks like the document I saw used the images from this video or vise versa. Thanks a lot!
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https://twitter.com/AJ_FI/status/1394620946133225472
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https://twitter.com/AJ_FI/status/1394620946133225472
FGB meets P6, S6 and Z1... but deep inside is all tied up for Destiny :)
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https://twitter.com/AJ_FI/status/1394620946133225472
The robotic arm (ChinArm?) has been exercised too:
https://twitter.com/AJ_FI/status/1394640019822874624
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Interior shot is a ground shot as cargo securement launch straps are not in use and gravity is obvious along with the temporary rope lights as main on orbit luminaires are not powered on.
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Video about the workings of the robot arm: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NeJSmtXjZCE
Confused about the arm being used to install the two science modules: don't they carry their own smaller manipulator systems? Also: the video shows the Tianhe solar panels being dismounted: is that really planned?
Video also shows a future extension of the arm almost doubling its length.
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Wentian will be located on the starboard side and Mengtian on the port side.
Source: https://twitter.com/SegerYu/status/1396106112265457664
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Mengtian is EM II, to be launched first and berth into position IV (Starboard).
Wentian is EM I, to be launched second and berth into position II (Port).
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It was mentioned that the solar panels in core module were designed that way. In the feature (with budget allowed) they have 2nd stage plan to extend CSS which will launch another tianhe core module attached to current forward dock with two EU made modules. Anticipating the new core module will likely have solar panels with higher efficiency and obstruct current tianhe panels, the old ones will be moved to end of experimental modules.
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Mengtian is EM II, to be launched first and berth into position IV (Starboard).
Wentian is EM I, to be launched second and berth into position II (Port).
CASCs mission booklet (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=26876.msg2230607#msg2230607) and most Chinese sources I have seen is disagreeing with that on the Experiment Modules numbering - all of them has Wentian as EM I and Mengtian as EM II.
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Completed CSS operation milestones:
April 29 at 3:23 UTC - launch of Tianhe on CZ-5B
May 29 at 12:55 UTC - launch of Tianzhou 2 on CZ-7
May 29 at 21:01 UTC - docking of Tianzhou 2 with aft port of Tianhe
June 17 at 1:22 UTC - launch of Shenzhou 12 [Nie Haisheng, Liu Boming and Tang Hongbo] on CZ-2F/G
June 17 at 7:54 UTC - docking of Shenzhou 12 [Haisheng, Boming, Hongbo] with forward port of Tianhe
Guesstimated current timeline of upcoming CSS operations:
August (NET) - undocking of Tianzhou 2 from aft port of Tianhe for rendezvous testing
September (NET) - undocking from forward port & landing of Shenzhou 12 [Haisheng, Boming, Hongbo]
September (NET) - docking of Tianzhou 2 with forward port of Tianhe for propellant transfer testing
September (NET) - launch of Tianzhou 3 on CZ-7
September (NET) - docking of Tianzhou 3 with aft port of Tianhe
October (NET) - launch of Shenzhou 13 on CZ-2F/G
October (NET) - docking of Shenzhou 13 with nadir port of Tianhe
October (NET) - robotic arm relocation testing of Tianzhou 2 (to side port?)
October (NET) - undocking of Tianzhou 2 from forward (side?) port of Tianhe for EOM & reentry
March (NET) - undocking from nadir port & landing of Shenzhou 13
March (NET) - undocking of Tianzhou 3 from aft port & docking at forward port of Tianhe
March/April (NET) - launch of Tianzhou 4 on CZ-7
March/April (NET) - docking of Tianzhou 4 with aft port of Tianhe
May (NET) - launch of Shenzhou 14 on CZ-2F/G
May (NET) - docking of Shenzhou 14 with nadir port of Tianhe
May (NET) - undocking of Tianzhou 3 from forward port of Tianhe for EOM & reentry
May/June (NET) - launch of Wentian on CZ-5B
May/June (NET) - docking of Wentian at forward port of Tianhe
After this it gets a bit murky as Tianzhou 5 operations appear to overlap with Tianzhou 4 but there seems to be no free docking port. Maybe TZ-4 will undock before TZ-5 arrives as it was scheduled (according to Twitter) to fly later, in Oct. 2022.
July? (NET) - undocking of Tianzhou 4 from aft port of Tianhe for EOM & reentry
July? (NET) or October - launch of Tianzhou 5 on CZ-7
July? (NET) or October - docking of Tianzhou 5 with aft port of Tianhe
July? (NET) - robotic relocation of Wentian from forward to starboard on Tianhe
August/September (NET) - Mengtian launch on CZ-5B
August/September (NET) - docking of Mengtian at forward port of Tianhe
September? (NET) - robotic relocation of Mengtian from forward to port on Tianhe
November (NET) - launch of Shenzhou 15 on CZ-2F/G
November (NET) - docking of Shenzhou 15 with forward port of Tianhe
November (NET) - undocking from nadir port & landing of Shenzhou 14
December? (NET) - undocking of Tianzhou 5 from aft port of Tianhe for EOM & reentry
Corrections & input welcome!
Edit May 30
Edit June 10
Edit June 18
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Completed CSS operation milestones:
April 29 at 3:23 UTC - launch of Tianhe on CZ-5B
May 29 at 12:55 UTC - launch of Tianzhou 2 on CZ-7
May 30 at 21:01 UTC - docking of Tianzhou 2 with aft port of Tianhe
Guesstimated current timeline of upcoming CSS operations:
June 17 - launch of Shenzhou 12 [Nie Haisheng, Deng Qingming, Ye Guangfu] on CZ-2F/G
June 18 (NET) - docking of Shenzhou 12 [Haisheng, Qingming, Guangfu] with forward port of Tianhe
August (NET) - undocking of Tianzhou 2 from aft port of Tianhe for rendezvous testing
September (NET) - undocking from forward port & landing of Shenzhou 12 [Haisheng, Qingming, Guangfu]
September (NET) - docking of Tianzhou 2 with forward port of Tianhe for propellant transfer testing
September (NET) - launch of Tianzhou 3 on CZ-7
September (NET) - docking of Tianzhou 3 with aft port of Tianhe
October (NET) - launch of Shenzhou 13 on CZ-2F/G
October (NET) - docking of Shenzhou 13 with nadir port of Tianhe
October (NET) - robotic arm relocation testing of Tianzhou 2 (to side port?)
October (NET) - undocking of Tianzhou 2 from forward (side?) port of Tianhe for EOM & reentry
March (NET) - undocking from nadir port & landing of Shenzhou 13
March (NET) - undocking of Tianzhou 3 from aft port & docking at forward port of Tianhe
March/April (NET) - launch of Tianzhou 4 on CZ-7
March/April (NET) - docking of Tianzhou 4 with aft port of Tianhe
May (NET) - launch of Shenzhou 14 on CZ-2F/G
May (NET) - docking of Shenzhou 14 with nadir port of Tianhe
May (NET) - undocking of Tianzhou 3 from forward port of Tianhe for EOM & reentry
May/June (NET) - launch of Wentian on CZ-5B
May/June (NET) - docking of Wentian at forward port of Tianhe
After this it gets a bit murky as Tianzhou 5 operations appear to overlap with Tianzhou 4 but there seems to be no free docking port. Maybe TZ-4 will undock before TZ-5 arrives as it was scheduled (according to Twitter) to fly later, in Oct. 2022.
July? (NET) - undocking of Tianzhou 4 from aft port of Tianhe for EOM & reentry
July? (NET) or October - launch of Tianzhou 5 on CZ-7
July? (NET) or October - docking of Tianzhou 5 with aft port of Tianhe
July? (NET) - robotic relocation of Wentian from forward to starboard on Tianhe
August/September (NET) - Mengtian launch on CZ-5B
August/September (NET) - docking of Mengtian at forward port of Tianhe
September? (NET) - robotic relocation of Mengtian from forward to port on Tianhe
November (NET) - launch of Shenzhou 15 on CZ-2F/G
November (NET) - docking of Shenzhou 15 with forward port of Tianhe
November (NET) - undocking from nadir port & landing of Shenzhou 14
December? (NET) - undocking of Tianzhou 5 from aft port of Tianhe for EOM & reentry
Corrections & input welcome!
I think that the docking of Tianzhou 2 was still on 29 May.
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Completed CSS operation milestones:
Guesstimated current timeline of upcoming CSS operations:
June 17 - launch of Shenzhou 12 [Nie Haisheng, Deng Qingming, Ye Guangfu] on CZ-2F/G
Corrections & input welcome!
What is the source of the composition of the crew?
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Completed CSS operation milestones:
Guesstimated current timeline of upcoming CSS operations:
June 17 - launch of Shenzhou 12 [Nie Haisheng, Deng Qingming, Ye Guangfu] on CZ-2F/G
Corrections & input welcome!
What is the source of the composition of the crew?
Several sources, but none official. So I added "TBC".
https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/organizations/china-national-space-administration/china-launches-tianzhou-2-cargo-craft-to-new-space-station/
https://rocketrundown.com/first-crewed-mission-to-chinese-space-station-expected-in-june/
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The relation between the three first patches of the Tiangong space station program.
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Tianzhou-3 & 4
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Mengtian is EM II, to be launched first and berth into position IV (Starboard).
Wentian is EM I, to be launched second and berth into position II (Port).
CASCs mission booklet (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=26876.msg2230607#msg2230607) and most Chinese sources I have seen is disagreeing with that on the Experiment Modules numbering - all of them has Wentian as EM I and Mengtian as EM II.
OK, I stand corrected.
EM I Wentian (问天) is launched first and berthed to adapter 4 (position IV, Starboard)
EM II Mengtian (梦天) is launched second and berthed to adapter 2 (position II, Port)
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On June 4 the Tianhe+Tianzhou-2 combination rised its orbit from 370x376 to 376x386 km.
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China Space Station transits the Sun, 3 June 2021
https://slide.tech.sina.com.cn/d/slide_5_453_143090.html
https://news.sina.com.cn/c/2021-06-03/doc-ikqcfnaz8973360.shtml
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Screenshot s from CCTV13
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Screenshot s from CCTV13
why does it look so much wider than Zvezda?
Tianhe is longer but they have the same width.
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The first astronauts on board the China Space Station
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjSIHwijXO4
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More pics seen from CSS
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Image from CCTV shows neutral buoyancy training and impressive size of the modules to be added later.
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Image from CCTV shows neutral buoyancy training and impressive size of the modules to be added later.
Indeed. Now that you mention it, can anyone provide a sense of how they compare to Mir's Spektr/Kristall/Priroda TKS-derived modules, to which Mengtian and Wengtian share a visual resemblance (at least size-wise, I assume internally and capability-wise they'll be quite different, as Tianhe is from DOS-like modules)?
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The bulk of Mengtian and Wentian seem to be of a diameter corresponding to the maximum diameter of Tianhe. In Mir, the bulk of the modules used the diameter of the middle section of its core module. So I would guess Tiangong's module volume to be significantly larger.
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The modules max diameter is the same as the DOS / TKS series - 4.2m. But they seem to make better use of the volume, and the greater capacity of their launch vehicles to have slightly larger modules with significantly more usable volume.
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1986 - 2021
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1986 - 2021
Thanks for posting this - it's a very helpful illustration! :) It makes much more clear the ways in which Tianhe advances and improves up on the classic DOS design. Not as much of a straight knockoff as I had initially assumed from the renderings.
It clearly shows how much bigger Tianhe is compared to the Mir core. Both the "thick" and "thin" sections are longer, and the docking node at the front is a lot bigger (especially when you consider that Shenzhou, despite sharing Soyuz's outer mold line for the descent module, is actually scaled up somewhat).
This lines up with how in yesterday's videos, both Tianhe and Shenzhou appeared a lot roomier inside than Zvezda and Soyuz respectively. Shenzhou didn't look nearly as claustrophobic when the taikonauts were climbing into it. Not Dragon size of course (that's in a league of its own for now), but nothing like the pictures of crew crammed into Soyuz.
What's most striking about this is the picture it paints of what the Russian space program could have been if it had continued building on its rich portfolio of legacy designs in the post-Soviet era. Imagine if something the size of Shenzhou had been rolled out as a "Soyuz XL" in conjunction with the Soyuz-2.1b rocket when Soyuz-FG was retired. Or if a "new and improved DOS/FGB" had been the basis for Nauka instead of the mothballed Zarya spare. (I get the impression that the NEM modules, now intended for ROSS instead of ISS, will be more along those lines, if they ever come to fruition.)
In many respects, the Chinese space program has picked up the torch dropped by the Soviet Union and become the spiritual successor to its space program. It's like witnessing an alternate history of what a "Mir-3" might have looked like...
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1986 - 2021
Rescaled to match dimensions, based off of the shared maximum module diameter. Soyuz and Shenzhou Descent Module size also looks correct (Shenzhou is slightly enlarged).
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"close to 150 cubic meters"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFqGQVXugMs
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1986 - 2021
Rescaled to match dimensions, based off of the shared maximum module diameter. Soyuz and Shenzhou Descent Module size also looks correct (Shenzhou is slightly enlarged).
Mir Core Module (Dos-7): 13 m x 4,15 m, 20,4 t
Tiangong Core Modul (Tianhe): 20 m x 3 m or 16,2 x 4,2(from other source), 22,6 t
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First crewed electric-propelled spacecraft I believe?
Wonder if the Hall effect thrusters on Tianhe can be used with two spacecraft docked along the station's Vbar?
https://twitter.com/CGTNOfficial/status/1406827969734053891
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Additional neutral buoyancy views of CSS elements' structure here: https://sunnews.cc/science/100974.html
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Seems to be drive unit of external solar panels of EM1/EM2 modules.
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New slides for Xuntian, with dimensions. It will have a maximum span (solar array tip to tip) of 23.6 m, and a height (from the bottom of its service module to the optical aperture) of 14 m :o Plus a 4.5 m focal plane (or main mirror?). Aperture appears to be ~2 m?
https://twitter.com/raz_liu/status/1406888016887500802/
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1986 - 2021
Rescaled to match dimensions, based off of the shared maximum module diameter. Soyuz and Shenzhou Descent Module size also looks correct (Shenzhou is slightly enlarged).
Mir Core Module (Dos-7): 13 m x 4,15 m, 20,4 t
Tiangong Core Modul (Tianhe): 20 m x 3 m or 16,2 x 4,2(from other source), 22,6 t
I saw Tianhe base block described as 16,6 m x 4,2 m
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I'm impressed with the volume of the Chinese node, much more than Mir. Could be used as a temporary sleep station for a short-term visiting crew member, some extra storage(?)
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I'm impressed with the volume of the Chinese node, much more than Mir. Could be used as a temporary sleep station for a short-term visiting crew member, some extra storage(?)
two experimental module launch next year might be bigger than tianhe.
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Here are the images from the tweet. I wonder how long it will be when we see one of these pointed down instead of up. :-)
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Additional neutral buoyancy views of CSS elements' structure here: https://sunnews.cc/science/100974.html
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-
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1986 - 2021
Rescaled to match dimensions, based off of the shared maximum module diameter. Soyuz and Shenzhou Descent Module size also looks correct (Shenzhou is slightly enlarged).
Mir Core Module (Dos-7): 13 m x 4,15 m, 20,4 t
Tiangong Core Modul (Tianhe): 20 m x 3 m or 16,2 x 4,2(from other source), 22,6 t
I think you're mixing up CSS core module (Tianhe) with older Tiangong-2 test module, the one already deorbited. CSS core module is 4.2m diameter.
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"The electric propulsion has a specific impulse of 1,600 seconds or even higher"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XysczpCTaE8
天宫核心舱配置了4台霍尔电推进发动机,这是人类载人航天器上首次使用电推进。
"The "Tiangong" core module is equipped with 4 Hall electric propulsion engines. This is the first time that electric propulsion has been used on a manned spacecraft."
http://www.chinanews.com/gn/2021/06-21/9503717.shtml
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The station is no longer so neat and pristine, once work started... and now certainly started looking more like an ISS module :)
https://twitter.com/AJ_FI/status/1407599501368606720
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Apparently the first EVA is planned for... early July! (July 2nd, apparently)
https://twitter.com/Kaynouky/status/1407546219728154626
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eat ;D
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6scd947u6o8
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Completed CSS operation milestones:
April 29 at 3:23 UTC - launch of Tianhe on CZ-5B
May 29 at 12:55 UTC - launch of Tianzhou 2 on CZ-7
May 29 at 21:01 UTC - docking of Tianzhou 2 with aft port of Tianhe (+propellant transfer)
June 17 at 1:22 UTC - launch of Shenzhou 12 [Nie Haisheng, Liu Boming and Tang Hongbo] on CZ-2F/G
June 17 at 7:54 UTC - docking of Shenzhou 12 [Haisheng, Boming, Hongbo] with forward port of Tianhe
July 4 at 0:116:57 UTC - spacewalk (EVA-1) from Tianhe airlock (test of new space suits, installation of foot restraints, work platform and exterior panoramic camera, emergency return to airlock training) [Boming, Hongbo]
Guesstimated current timeline of upcoming CSS operations:
August 18 (NET) - spacewalk (EVA-2) from Tianhe airlock
late August (NET) - undocking of Tianzhou 2 from aft port of Tianhe for rendezvous testing
September (NET) - undocking from forward port & landing of Shenzhou 12 [Haisheng, Boming, Hongbo]
September (NET) - docking of Tianzhou 2 with forward port of Tianhe (+propellant transfer testing)
mid-September (NET) - launch of Tianzhou 3 on CZ-7
mid-September (NET) - docking of Tianzhou 3 with aft port of Tianhe
October (NET) - launch of Shenzhou 13 on CZ-2F/G
October (NET) - docking of Shenzhou 13 with nadir port of Tianhe
October (NET) - robotic arm relocation testing of Tianzhou 2 (to side port)
October (NET) - undocking of Tianzhou 2 from forward (side?) port of Tianhe for EOM & reentry
March (NET) - undocking from nadir port & landing of Shenzhou 13
March (NET) - undocking of Tianzhou 3 from aft port & docking at forward port of Tianhe
March/April (NET) - launch of Tianzhou 4 on CZ-7
March/April (NET) - docking of Tianzhou 4 with aft port of Tianhe
May (NET) - launch of Shenzhou 14 on CZ-2F/G
May (NET) - docking of Shenzhou 14 with nadir port of Tianhe
May (NET) - undocking of Tianzhou 3 from forward port of Tianhe for EOM & reentry
May/June (NET) - launch of Wentian on CZ-5B
May/June (NET) - docking of Wentian at forward port of Tianhe
After this it gets a bit murky as Tianzhou 5 operations appear to overlap with Tianzhou 4 but there seems to be no free docking port. Maybe TZ-4 will undock before TZ-5 arrives as it was scheduled (according to Twitter) to fly later, in Oct. 2022.
July? (NET) - undocking of Tianzhou 4 from aft port of Tianhe for EOM & reentry
July? (NET) or October - launch of Tianzhou 5 on CZ-7
July? (NET) or October - docking of Tianzhou 5 with aft port of Tianhe
July? (NET) - robotic relocation of Wentian from forward to starboard on Tianhe
August/September (NET) - Mengtian launch on CZ-5B
August/September (NET) - docking of Mengtian at forward port of Tianhe
September? (NET) - robotic relocation of Mengtian from forward to port on Tianhe
November (NET) - launch of Shenzhou 15 on CZ-2F/G
November (NET) - docking of Shenzhou 15 with forward port of Tianhe
November (NET) - undocking from nadir port & landing of Shenzhou 14
December? (NET) - undocking of Tianzhou 5 from aft port of Tianhe for EOM & reentry
Corrections & input welcome!
Edit June 25
Edit July 2
Edit July 4
Edit Aug. 16
Edit Aug. 17
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May 29 at 21:01 UTC - docking of Tianzhou 2 with aft port of Tianhe
September (NET) - docking of Tianzhou 2 with forward port of Tianhe for propellant transfer testing
Some propellant transfer occurred before the launch of Shenzhou-12.
"Combined with Tianhe, Tianzhou-2 will replenish Tianhe's propellant and help test equipment for space application projects."
http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2021-05/30/c_139978564.htm
Previously: "The in-orbit refueling, under control of technicians on Earth, takes about five days, as the propellant is transmitted from the cargo spacecraft to the space lab."
http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2017-04/27/c_136241294.htm
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Do we know why China is not aiming for continuous habitation? Could they switch to continuous habitation later?
One possibility is that they are constrained by docking ports.
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My understanding is that they plan to move to continuous habitation in late 2022 with a direct handover from Shenzhou 14 to Shenzhou 15.
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Do we know why China is not aiming for continuous habitation? Could they switch to continuous habitation later?
One possibility is that they are constrained by docking ports.
read their flight plan, continuous habitation start from shenzhou-15
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https://twitter.com/tzukran/status/1410642638848598019
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The robotic arm on the China Space Station
https://youtu.be/NwLOqXsMFJI
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Exercise routines:
https://twitter.com/conexionspacial/status/1411753801984454660
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Robot arm crawling (from one "PDGF" to another, releasing the first one) successfully completed:
https://twitter.com/Nameles94657090/status/1413349914696773633
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4K
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjK85l8qAas
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Tianhe
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39n8wkgCzok
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Why is this thread so quiet? Is there somewhere else to get updates?
China Space Crew: One Month on Orbit
By Leonard David
July 18th, 2021
Three Chinese astronauts, Nie Haisheng, Liu Boming and Tang Hongbo, have worked and lived in the space station core module for a month since the Shenzhou-12 piloted spacecraft was launched into space.
The astronauts have been in good condition after completing their first extravehicular operations, according to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA). A second spacewalk is scheduled to take place.
Chinas space station is operating smoothly, with the trio of Taikonauts busily carrying out various duties, such as collection of trace elements in the air and performing routine medical examinations.
Exercise regime
According to China Central Television (CCTV), telecommunication facilities on board the core module enable the crew to watch the Xinwen Lianbo (News Simulcast), a domestic news program. Since they are stationed in the core module, the ground support team has been regularly sending them news programs, to keep them up to date on what is occurring on Earth.
They exercise for about an hour after watching the news, using sports facilities in the core module, such as an exercise bike and a treadmill.
Their physical fatigue, sleep, eating and drinking water, the whole body metabolism, nutrition, health status, through our comprehensive evaluation, are very good, Xu Chong, director of the medical supervision and insurance department of China Astronaut Research and Training Center told CCTV.
According to the ground supporting team, the astronauts exercise amount and intensity were decided in terms of their own physical conditions. Each of them has their own exercise plan.
Its a daily routine for the astronauts to do exercise. We have formulated different exercise plans for each of the three astronauts, with a training intensity reaching 60 to 80 percent of their maximum capacity. Thats a medium to high intensity for them. As they stay longer in space, we have to increase the intensity of their exercise plans, so that they are able to maintain the physiological effects against weightlessness, said Li Yinghui, the deputy chief designer of the astronaut system with China Astronaut Research and Training Center.
Space experiments
Starting Saturday, the space travelers put on heart rate and rhythm recording devices as part of experiments in space medicine. For the first time ever, Chinas space station used a scientific research cabinet that is capable of conducting space medicine and space life science experiments, setting a total of 49 space experiment projects.
During the Shenzhou 12 mission in space, the astronauts will complete 14 of them.
We set three aims for these 14 experimental projects. The first one is that the mission needs the technologies that are able to support advanced development, so the projects were set for making technical reserves to support the mission, said Li.
The second one is to set sights on the leading edge, so as to obtain new discoveries and new explorations. The third one is to continuously accumulate long-term flight data, Li told CCTV.
https://www.leonarddavid.com/china-space-crew-one-month-on-orbit/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCsMlQThjkA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CjqdohF1hME
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China Manned Space - The orbital parameters of the core module assembly:
July 22, 2021, 08:00:00 a.m (UTC/GMT+08:00)
Apogee Altitude: 394.9 km
Perigee Altitude: 384 km
Inclination: 41.581°
Altitude: 389.47 km
Velocity: 7.68 km/s
http://en.cmse.gov.cn/news/202107/t20210722_48418.html
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Nature News - Chinas space station is preparing to host 1,000 scientific experiments
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-02018-3
Scientists in China told Nature that the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) has tentatively approved more than 1,000 experiments, several of which have already been launched.
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https://twitter.com/guo_linli/status/1421981290887143424
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aa76dvBdRjQ
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https://twitter.com/CNSAWatcher/status/1422106229678161920
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXPIAXLOrdk
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https://twitter.com/China2ASEAN/status/1424309417877508101
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pnHjG1NSJb4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDHshC5zsS8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKtFMDGu1TM
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Shenzhou-12 crew prepares for second spacewalk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1MqwGzcze4
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I dont recall this being talked before, but some people are speculating from EVA training photos that the 2 solar panels of the CSS Tianhe Core Module will be moved to the ends of the 2 experimental modules some time in the future, perpendicular to the existing panels of these 2 modules.
Im not sure if this is true
https://twitter.com/cosmic_penguin/status/1428349191307161611?s=21
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Completed CSS operation milestones:
Apr. 29 at 3:23 UTC - launch of Tianhe on CZ-5B
May 29 at 12:55 UTC - launch of Tianzhou 2 on CZ-7
May 29 at 21:01 UTC - docking of Tianzhou 2 with aft port of Tianhe (+propellant transfer)
June 17 at 1:22 UTC - launch of Shenzhou 12 [Nie Haisheng, Liu Boming and Tang Hongbo] on CZ-2F/G
June 17 at 7:54 UTC - docking of Shenzhou 12 [Nie, Liu, Tang] with forward port of Tianhe
July 4 at 0:116:57 UTC - spacewalk (EVA-1) from Tianhe airlock (test of new space suits, installation of foot restraints, work platform and exterior panoramic camera, emergency return to airlock training) [Liu, Tang]
Aug. 20 at 0:386:33 UTC spacewalk (EVA-2) from Tianhe airlock (installation of external pump assembly, panoramic camera activation, foot restraints & extravehicular working platform installation on the robotic arm) [Nie, Liu]
Guesstimated current timeline of upcoming CSS operations:
Early September (NET) - undocking of Tianzhou 2 from aft port of Tianhe for rendezvous testing
mid-September (NET) - undocking from forward port & landing of Shenzhou 12 [Nie, Liu, Tang]
mid-September (NET) - docking of Tianzhou 2 with forward port of Tianhe (+propellant transfer testing)
Sep. 20 - launch of Tianzhou 3 on CZ-7
Sep. 20/21 - docking of Tianzhou 3 with aft port of Tianhe
Oct. 3 - launch of Shenzhou 13 on CZ-2F/G [Zhai Zhigang, Wang Yaping, Ye Guangfu (TBC)]
Oct. 3/4 - docking of Shenzhou 13 with nadir port of Tianhe [Zhai, Wang, Ye (TBC)]
October (NET) - robotic arm relocation testing of Tianzhou 2 (to side port)
October (NET) - undocking of Tianzhou 2 from forward (side?) port of Tianhe for EOM & reentry
March (NET) - undocking from nadir port & landing of Shenzhou 13 [Zhai, Wang, Ye (TBC)]
March (NET) - undocking of Tianzhou 3 from aft port & docking at forward port of Tianhe
March/April (NET) - launch of Tianzhou 4 on CZ-7
March/April (NET) - docking of Tianzhou 4 with aft port of Tianhe
May (NET) - launch of Shenzhou 14 on CZ-2F/G
May (NET) - docking of Shenzhou 14 with nadir port of Tianhe
May (NET) - undocking of Tianzhou 3 from forward port of Tianhe for EOM & reentry
May/June (NET) - launch of Wentian on CZ-5B
May/June (NET) - docking of Wentian at forward port of Tianhe
After this it gets a bit murky as Tianzhou 5 operations appear to overlap with Tianzhou 4 but there seems to be no free docking port. Maybe TZ-4 will undock before TZ-5 arrives as it was scheduled (according to Twitter) to fly later, in Oct. 2022.
July? (NET) - undocking of Tianzhou 4 from aft port of Tianhe for EOM & reentry
July? (NET) or October - launch of Tianzhou 5 on CZ-7
July? (NET) or October - docking of Tianzhou 5 with aft port of Tianhe
July? (NET) - robotic relocation of Wentian from forward to starboard on Tianhe
August/September (NET) - Mengtian launch on CZ-5B
August/September (NET) - docking of Mengtian at forward port of Tianhe
September? (NET) - robotic relocation of Mengtian from forward to port on Tianhe
November (NET) - launch of Shenzhou 15 on CZ-2F/G
November (NET) - docking of Shenzhou 15 with forward port of Tianhe
November (NET) - undocking from nadir port & landing of Shenzhou 14
December? (NET) - undocking of Tianzhou 5 from aft port of Tianhe for EOM & reentry
Corrections & input welcome!
Edit Aug. 20
Edit Aug. 31
Edit Sep. 9
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Haisheng and Boming are the first names. The family names are Nie and Liu.
"Modern Chinese names consist of a family name (xμngshμ; 姓氏), which comes first and is usually but not always monosyllabic, followed by a given name (mνng; 名), which is almost always disyllabic, consisting of two characters. Prior to the 21st century, most educated Chinese men also utilized a "courtesy name" or "style name" (zμ; 字) by which they were known among those outside their family and closest friends. Respected artists or poets will sometimes also use a professional "art name" (hΰo; 号) among their social peers."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_name
Please correct.
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Anyone interested in a CSS/Tianjin station topology. I've made a start, but require some help with determining what systems are located where inside the module. (I decided to now use the top as flight direction, so now Port (II) is left and Starboard (IV) Right.)
I think China really made a nice station with inspiration from Russian and 'western' ISS modules.
If I'm not mistaken, Tianhe has four experiment racks, all at the Aft.
IV(Starboard) looks like two HRF (Human Research Facility) beside each other. The most AFT one has drawers. The second rack looks to support the bicycle. And I think I can recognize a mass measurement device.
II (Port) and III (Overhead) are like EXPRESS racks, with 8x like lockers and two drawers.
The II (Port) rack, contains what looks like a two locker Incubator (? Glacier), a single locker centrifuge. And at the bottom a four unit vibration insulator (ultra weak gravity). One locker is stowage.
In the second Port row I think the Robotarm station is located.
I've not seen the content of the Zenith/overhead Express rack.
I'll end here, because one image can tell more than a thousand words. (I can visually match the racks with the CSS Handbook)
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Image from CCTV shows neutral buoyancy training and impressive size of the modules to be added later.
EM-II, Mentian with experiment airlock? (and 4 ISPR rows); The diameter of the experiment airlock is equal to the pressurized section.
EM-I, Wentian has 6 ISPR rows; and an EVA airlock. That airlock has a smaller diameter. If I'm not mistaken.
@Galactic Penguin SST; this was handled earlier; page 10. and Reply #51 page 3
If I'm not mistaken this is part of the second phase of the CSS.
If China does this, they'll add another Tianhe to the forward port of CM: Tianhe. To this module they can add two experiment modules. The CM: Tianhe solar arrays will be shaded by those module, so they move them to the arrays of EM1 & EM2.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbgq8qEIF20
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https://twitter.com/aj_fi/status/1432579335718854660
China's human spaceflight agency has released images from the Shenzhou-12 crew aboard the Tianhe space station module. The below were taken recently by astronaut Tang Hongbo [CMSA] mp.weixin.qq.com/s/eM9Hd0R-Vfdo
twitter.com/aj_fi/status/1432579654339207170
These two, showing Beijing and the Pacific Ocean, were taken by Nie Haisheng Aug. 24. [CMSA]
https://twitter.com/aj_fi/status/1432581235214372865
Here's Tang Hongbo's sleeping quarters. [CMSA]
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high-res version
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China Manned Space - The orbital parameters of the core module assembly
"August 30, 2021, 08:00:00 a.m (UTC/GMT+08:00)
Apogee Altitude: 396 km
Perigee Altitude: 379.6 km
Inclination: 41.44°
Altitude: 387.8 km
Velocity: 7.69 km/s"
http://en.cmse.gov.cn/news/202107/t20210722_48418.html
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https://twitter.com/cnsawatcher/status/1433130120777187330
🖌🎨 Astronaut (Artist?) Liu Boming write calligraphy 理想(Dream) in #Tiangong Space Station.
Full: youtu.be/yWNlNXg1MJI
https://youtu.be/yWNlNXg1MJI
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Apparently he was writing 理想 "dream/aspiration" in his calligraphy practice.
Some more interesting excerpts from the kids' outreach TV program (onboard kitchenette, space tai-chi, and drinking tea with chopsticks - which is actually quite a novel and useful way to drink free-floating liquids in microgravity that Western astronauts haven't been practicing... the advantages of a multi-cultural space exploration program :) ):
https://twitter.com/Eurekablog/status/1433147203338522627
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Bedroom of Tiangong Space Station, closer look
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1E9xJ3oLUFU
Refrigerator in Tiangong Space Station, closer look
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_GTCZ7RB08
Water recycle system in Tiangong Space Station, closer look
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DX8Pd6EqMbY
Astronaut Nie Haisheng showing Taichung in Tiangong Space Station
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wx8oGhNEmDo
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https://twitter.com/ChinaScience/status/1433822095851544579
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https://twitter.com/aj_fi/status/1435833832138231809
New photos of the Earth taken by Shenzhou-12 astronauts Tang Hongbo and Liu Boming aboard the Tianhe space station module released today by CMSA. mp.weixin.qq.com/s/8m1V5OAwDaFx
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I've been following a very interesting conversation by Twitter users @RaffaeleDiPalma (posts here some wonderful EVA DOUG visualizations and timelines) and @SegerYu (a Chinese spaceflight expert) regarding a cool capability they have on CSS: apparently their crew's spacesuits are configured in such a way as to allow near-real-time representative 3D modeling on the ground of how exactly the crew is moving and what their actions are like on CSS. This is a remarkable capability IMO and one can see how it can help visualize what's going on when onboard or helmet cameras are not conductive to direct visual interpretation.
The conversation is distributed along different messages and subthreads, but a representative one can be found here:
https://twitter.com/SegerYu/status/1435619601505685507
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Possible next CSS crew
#Shenzhou13 crewed mission launching on Oct 16] Three astronauts will conduct robotic arm assisted docking, #Tiangong construction and more scientific experiments. Unofficial speculated crew members are Zhai Zhigang, Wang Yaping, Ye Guangfu.
Source: https://twitter.com/CNSAWatcher/status/1435673392422731776
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https://twitter.com/raz_liu/status/1437042119189749760
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Completed CSS operation milestones:
Apr. 29 at 3:23 UTC - launch of Tianhe on CZ-5B
May 29 at 12:55 UTC - launch of Tianzhou 2 on CZ-7
May 29 at 21:01 UTC - docking of Tianzhou 2 with aft port of Tianhe (+propellant transfer)
June 17 at 1:22 UTC - launch of Shenzhou 12 [Nie Haisheng, Liu Boming and Tang Hongbo] on CZ-2F/G
June 17 at 7:54 UTC - docking of Shenzhou 12 [Nie, Liu, Tang] with forward port of Tianhe
July 4 at 0:116:57 UTC - spacewalk (EVA-1) from Tianhe airlock (test of new space suits, installation of foot restraints, work platform and exterior panoramic camera, emergency return to airlock training) [Liu, Tang]
Aug. 20 at 0:386:33 UTC spacewalk (EVA-2) from Tianhe airlock (installation of external pump assembly, panoramic camera activation, foot restraints & extravehicular working platform installation on the robotic arm) [Nie, Liu]
Sep. 16 at 0:56 UTC - undocking of Shenzhou 12 from forward port of Tianhe (+rendezvous test at nadir port) [Nie, Liu, Tang]
Sep. 17 at 4:454:485:34 UTC - jettison of OM & deorbit burn & landing of Shenzhou 12 [Nie, Liu, Tang]
Sep. 18 at 2:25~6:25 UTC - undocking of Tianzhou 2 from aft port of Tianhe and docking with forward port of Tianhe (+propellant transfer testing)
Sep. 20 at 7:10 UTC - launch of Tianzhou 3 on CZ-7
Sep. 20 at 14:08 UTC - docking of Tianzhou 3 with aft port of Tianhe
Oct. 15 at 16:23 UTC - launch of Shenzhou 13 on CZ-2F/G [Zhai Zhigang, Wang Yaping, Ye Guangfu]
Oct. 15 at 23:48 UTC - docking of Shenzhou 13 with nadir port of Tianhe [Zhai, Wang, Ye]
Guesstimated current timeline of upcoming CSS operations:
Early November - spacewalk (EVA-3) from Tianhe airlock
November (NET) - robotic arm relocation testing of Tianzhou 2 (to side port)
November (NET) - undocking of Tianzhou 2 from forward (side?) port of Tianhe for EOM & reentry
March (NET) - undocking from nadir port of Tianhe & landing of Shenzhou 13 [Zhai, Wang, Ye (TBC)]
March (NET) - undocking of Tianzhou 3 from aft port & docking at forward port of Tianhe
March/April (NET) - launch of Tianzhou 4 on CZ-7
March/April (NET) - docking of Tianzhou 4 with aft port of Tianhe
May (NET) - launch of Shenzhou 14 on CZ-2F/G
May (NET) - docking of Shenzhou 14 with nadir port of Tianhe
May (NET) - undocking of Tianzhou 3 from forward port of Tianhe for EOM & reentry
May/June (NET) - launch of Wentian on CZ-5B
May/June (NET) - docking of Wentian at forward port of Tianhe
After this it gets a bit murky as Tianzhou 5 operations appear to overlap with Tianzhou 4 but there seems to be no free docking port. Maybe TZ-4 will undock before TZ-5 arrives as it was scheduled (according to Twitter) to fly later, in Oct. 2022.
July? (NET) - undocking of Tianzhou 4 from aft port of Tianhe for EOM & reentry
July? (NET) or October - launch of Tianzhou 5 on CZ-7
July? (NET) or October - docking of Tianzhou 5 with aft port of Tianhe
July? (NET) - robotic relocation of Wentian from forward to starboard on Tianhe
August/September (NET) - Mengtian launch on CZ-5B
August/September (NET) - docking of Mengtian at forward port of Tianhe
September? (NET) - robotic relocation of Mengtian from forward to port on Tianhe
November (NET) - launch of Shenzhou 15 on CZ-2F/G
November (NET) - docking of Shenzhou 15 with forward port of Tianhe
November (NET) - undocking from nadir port & landing of Shenzhou 14
December? (NET) - undocking of Tianzhou 5 from aft port of Tianhe for EOM & reentry
Corrections & input welcome!
Edit Sep. 16
Edit Sep. 17
Edit Sep. 18
Edit Sep. 20
Edit Oct. 8
Edit Oct. 17
Edit Nov. 5
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Did they redock or just rendezvous?
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Did they redock or just rendezvous?
Rendezvous.
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Well the list needs changing, it says dock.
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Well the list needs changing, it says dock.
My bad. I had the impression Shenzhou 12 did a full docking as shown in some animations. Entry is now corrected. Thanks!
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Well the list needs changing, it says dock.
My bad. I had the impression Shenzhou 12 did a full docking as shown in some animations. Entry is now corrected. Thanks!
Yes, some animations show a coupling with the Thiane module but this was not done.
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Chinese rolls out rocket for space station supply launch
https://youtu.be/fNXCWd_7N1M
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If there was any doubt...
"China's first self-developed space station, Tiangong, is independently constructed and operated by the country, demonstrating the country's breakthroughs in technologies concerning the astronauts' long-term stay and health care, recycling and life support system, supply of space materials, extravehicular activities and operations, as well as in-orbit maintenance."
http://www.news.cn/english/2021-09/17/c_1310193460.htm
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"we have a new generation of crewed spacecraft for the space station"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQfIMqnmwrU
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At 23:00 UTC 19 September 2021, the orbital parameters of the Thiane module of the Chinese Space Station are: 389.5 km Χ 395 km Χ 41.6Ί, with a velocity of about 7.68 kilometers per second.
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http://www.stdaily.com/index/kejixinwen/2021-09/25/content_1222038.shtml
记者9月25日从中国航天科技集团六院获悉,由该院801所研制的空间站天和核心舱电推进子系统4台推力器,于9月23日到24日完成首次在轨点火测试,电压、电流、流程各遥测参数均正常。
google translate
The reporter learned from the Sixth Institute of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation on September 25 that the first in-orbit ignition test of the four thrusters developed by the Institutes 801 space station Tianhe core module electric propulsion subsystem will be completed from September 23 to 24. The telemetry parameters of voltage, current, and process are all normal.
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https://twitter.com/aj_fi/status/1444616440942841859
A cool view here of the robotic arm on China's orbiting Tianhe as it inspects the module [CMSA]. Source: https://m.weibo.cn/detail/4687953957491700
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https://twitter.com/Cosmic_Penguin/status/1448563519134134274?t=E_CRA1LxCbIMYGvQxnseIQ&s=19
https://twitter.com/Cosmic_Penguin/status/1448563521961095169?t=QsqUGSaMxuJSWKbJDOR5BQ&s=19
Source (https://m.weibo.cn/detail/4692227165260504)
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At about 01:55 UTC on October 16, 2021, the crew of the Shenzhou-13 mission entered the Thiane core module of the Chinese Space Station.
https://twitter.com/conexionspacial/status/1449249791020572674
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EVA coming up within the next days.
https://twitter.com/AJ_FI/status/1456533612581490688
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EVA-3 is underway with Zhai Zhigang and Wang Yaping.
https://twitter.com/AJ_FI/status/1457311843207294976
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EVA-3 is underway with Zhai Zhigang and Wang Yaping.
https://twitter.com/AJ_FI/status/1457311843207294976
Apparently the Chinese State Media CGTN news channel will have a special program for this EVA upcoming at 14:15 UTC.
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Astronaut Wang Yaping begins first spacewalk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dEbQWtPfPg
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CGTN's special coverage of the EVA.
https://twitter.com/CGTNOfficial/status/1457339669935312897
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The EVA ended at 01:16 Beijing Time = 17:16 UTC.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7Iz74fqT6g
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZoju3LwouU
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zFOtO5p4Qw
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Nice thread regarding the long arm ("ChinArm") currently on CSS and the shorter one to be launched with Wengtian (and Mengtian?), including very illustrative pictures:
https://twitter.com/SegerYu/status/1457966277167763457
Main tasks for SZ-13's first EVA:
1- Install the 'suspension device' (XGZZ hereinafter) of the 'combined series connector for double robotic arm' (aka adapter, ZJJ hereinafter).
2- Use the XGZZ, installed in the previous step, to capture and lock the ZJJ.
3- Try out typical astronaut movements when using the new Fentian spacesuit.
4- Try out the functionality of the EVA suit (golden stripes) carried on TZ-3 and check its compatibility with station equipment. Use the EVA suit's cameras to take pictures of the 3rd quadrant's robotic arm grapple fixture.
The first two tasks are related to the RMS, consisting of two arms: the Tianhe robotic arm (long arm) and the Wentian robotic arm (short arm) that will be launched with Wentian next year. The two arms are independent and can be used separately, or they can be linked to form a longer arm.
The outstretched length of the long arm is 10.2 m with 7 degrees of freedom and can transfer large loads (<25 tonnes), but is only capable of low accuracy due to its dynamic characteristics. The capture and latching mechanism adapts those from Canadarm2. The end effector allows to grapple the target fixture even with large attitude deviations. Three cables rigidize on the adapter's lever, with the latches reducing the attitude and position deviations in order to achieve a soft capture, to then rigidly lock the connection.
The small arm has an outstretched length of about 5 m with also 7 dof. It doesn't allow for the transfer of large loads, but has high control accuracy. Therefore, a tolerance-type capture mechanism is adopted. Upon capture, three fingers are firmly locked, the guiderails reduce positioning deviations, and the target adapter begins to retreat allowing for the three mechanical limit latches to insert themselves into the receiving orifices in the adapter to tighten the connection. There is no soft capture process.
The two arms have different performances and, in the majority of cases, work independently. However, in some situations such as helping astronauts large-scale load transfers, site inspections or solar wing movement, it will be necessary to combine both arms to create a longer one. In this case, an adapter between the two arms is needed, the aforementioned ZJJ, which can also transfer data and electricity between both arms. The XGZZ suspension device is needed for ZJJ maintenance.
The installation position for the XGZZ is in the narrow section of the core module, where the 1st quadrant line intersects the 4th quadrant one. The main mechanism in the XGZZ can be undestood as an end effector for the small arm. The XGZZ's base is fixed with six bolts and 3 rectangular data cable connectors to establish a data path with the control system.
During the EVA, after installing the XGZZ and checking it energizes correctly, load the command to remotely control the XGZZ and have it open the three fingers, at medium speed. Align the end of the small arm adapter ZJJ with the XGZZ to complete capture, then instruct the three fingers in the XGZZ to close in order to achieve a firm capture, then pull it back to achieve a rigid connection (with the retraction into the orifices). These tasks were completed.
There was also an unplanned task, since it was suspected the crew might have "stepped on" a cable connector for the long arm's target adapter in the 3rd quadrant. Ground wasn't sure if the connector was loose or not, and the panoramic camera couldn't get a clear view. So the crew was asked to take pictures with an exterior camera to analyze the situation on the ground.
Seems they're also using/developing a SAFER-like rescue jetpack reportedly named "SAFEST".
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Completed CSS operation milestones:
Apr. 29 at 3:23 UTC - launch of Tianhe on CZ-5B
May 29 at 12:55 UTC - launch of Tianzhou 2 on CZ-7
May 29 at 21:01 UTC - docking of Tianzhou 2 with aft port of Tianhe (+propellant transfer)
June 17 at 1:22 UTC - launch of Shenzhou 12 [Nie Haisheng, Liu Boming and Tang Hongbo] on CZ-2F/G
June 17 at 7:54 UTC - docking of Shenzhou 12 [Nie, Liu, Tang] with forward port of Tianhe
July 4 at 0:116:57 UTC - spacewalk (EVA-1) from Tianhe airlock (test of new space suits, installation of foot restraints, work platform and exterior panoramic camera, emergency return to airlock training) [Liu, Tang]
Aug. 20 at 0:386:33 UTC spacewalk (EVA-2) from Tianhe airlock (installation of external pump assembly, panoramic camera activation, foot restraints & extravehicular working platform installation on the robotic arm) [Nie, Liu]
Sep. 16 at 0:56 UTC - undocking of Shenzhou 12 from forward port of Tianhe (+rendezvous test at nadir port) [Nie, Liu, Tang]
Sep. 17 at 4:454:485:34 UTC - jettison of OM & deorbit burn & landing of Shenzhou 12 [Nie, Liu, Tang]
Sep. 18 at 2:25~6:25 UTC - undocking of Tianzhou 2 from aft port of Tianhe and docking with forward port of Tianhe (+propellant transfer testing)
Sep. 20 at 7:10 UTC - launch of Tianzhou 3 on CZ-7
Sep. 20 at 14:08 UTC - docking of Tianzhou 3 with aft port of Tianhe
Oct. 15 at 16:23 UTC - launch of Shenzhou 13 on CZ-2F/G [Zhai Zhigang, Wang Yaping, Ye Guangfu]
Oct. 15 at 23:48 UTC - docking of Shenzhou 13 with nadir port of Tianhe [Zhai, Wang, Ye]
Nov. 7 at 10:5117:16 UTC spacewalk (EVA-3) from Tianhe airlock (testing of new spacesuit, installation of robotic arm adapter/end effector) [Zhai, Wang]
Dec. 26 at 10:4416:55 UTC spacewalk (EVA-4) from Tianhe airlock (deployment of external camera platform C, object translation movement testing) [Zhai, Ye]
Guesstimated current timeline of upcoming CSS operations:
January (NET) - robotic arm relocation testing of Tianzhou 2 (to side port)
January (NET) - undocking of Tianzhou 2 from forward (side?) port of Tianhe for EOM & reentry
March (NET) - undocking from nadir port of Tianhe & landing of Shenzhou 13 [Zhai, Wang, Ye]
March (NET) - undocking of Tianzhou 3 from aft port & docking at forward port of Tianhe
March/April (NET) - launch of Tianzhou 4 on CZ-7
March/April (NET) - docking of Tianzhou 4 with aft port of Tianhe
May (NET) - launch of Shenzhou 14 on CZ-2F/G
May (NET) - docking of Shenzhou 14 with nadir port of Tianhe
May (NET) - undocking of Tianzhou 3 from forward port of Tianhe for EOM & reentry
May/June (NET) - launch of Wentian on CZ-5B
May/June (NET) - docking of Wentian at forward port of Tianhe
After this it gets a bit murky as Tianzhou 5 operations appear to overlap with Tianzhou 4 but there seems to be no free docking port. Maybe TZ-4 will undock before TZ-5 arrives as it was scheduled (according to Twitter) to fly later, in Oct. 2022.
July? (NET) - undocking of Tianzhou 4 from aft port of Tianhe for EOM & reentry
July? (NET) or October - launch of Tianzhou 5 on CZ-7
July? (NET) or October - docking of Tianzhou 5 with aft port of Tianhe
July? (NET) - robotic relocation of Wentian from forward to starboard on Tianhe
August/September (NET) - Mengtian launch on CZ-5B
August/September (NET) - docking of Mengtian at forward port of Tianhe
September? (NET) - robotic relocation of Mengtian from forward to port on Tianhe
November (NET) - launch of Shenzhou 15 on CZ-2F/G
November (NET) - docking of Shenzhou 15 with forward port of Tianhe
November (NET) - undocking from nadir port & landing of Shenzhou 14
December? (NET) - undocking of Tianzhou 5 from aft port of Tianhe for EOM & reentry
Corrections & input welcome!
Edit Nov. 9
Edit Dec. 25
Edit Dec. 26
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Is there some sort of reference manual for Tiangong subsystems? What are they doing for a Toilet? What is the level of compatibility between Chinese docking adapters and IDA?
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I wonder what thinking went into the scheduling of the launches? Why are the logistics delivered by Tianzhou shortly before the crew arrive in Shenzhou? If it was launched after it would give the crew something to look forward to?
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I wonder what thinking went into the scheduling of the launches? Why are the logistics delivered by Tianzhou shortly before the crew arrive in Shenzhou? If it was launched after it would give the crew something to look forward to?
Guess the thinking is that the next crew will not be launched if the pre-positioning of the cargo (supplies & experiments) for the next crew fails with the Tianzhou.
There isn't much storage space with the current station configuration minus the docked Tianzhou.
Also the Chinese don't appear to be planning on a Progress like logistics vehicle for more frequent supply missions to the station. So they are constrained by the number of station modules and logistics vehicles that can be build concurrently and be launched.
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Two new videos:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PAdIikHOxns
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Viukao3S8-Y
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Is there a photo of the whole space station in orbit?
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Live camera from Tianhe core module
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Start of the lesson at 07:40 UTC: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=465pc4js1QE
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【核心舱组合体运行轨道参数】中国载人航天工程网权威发布。
2021年12月11日上午07时00分,#中国空间站# 中国空间站核心舱组合体轨道参数为:
远地点高度约396千米;
近地点高度约386.7千米;
倾角41.4°;
高度约391.4千米;
速度约7.68千米/秒。#航天#
[Orbital parameters of core module assembly] Authoritatively released by China Manned Space Engineering Network.
At 07:00 on December 11, 2021, The orbital parameters of the core module assembly of the Chinese space station are:
The height of the apogee is about 396 kilometers;
The height of perigee is about 386.7 kilometers;
Inclination angle 41.4°;
The height is about 391.4 kilometers;
The speed is about 7.68 kilometers per second.
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This is a visualization not an actual photo?
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This is a visualization not an actual photo?
I am not sure it is shown with that information.
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This is a visualization not an actual photo?
I am not sure it is shown with that information.
Ok.
I'm looking for an actual photo in orbit for a header to mission fact. I think this is a drawing as there are no shadows etc.
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The photo posted looks like a negative, which I've reversed below.
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Thanks, but I'm still thinking its a drawing as there are too many ships docked. What's taking the photo?
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Thanks, but I'm still thinking its a drawing as there are too many ships docked. What's taking the photo?
The photo looks like a computer generated image to me.
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Thanks, but I'm still thinking its a drawing as there are too many ships docked. What's taking the photo?
The photo looks like a computer generated image to me.
Yes or a model.
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New videos
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=METjvqmcF8E
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YAKlCAz6h4
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Here's another one:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehGmKiEBhaU
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4th CSS spacewalk starting on Dec. 26 around 0:00 UTC
The second EVA by Shenzhou-13 is scheduled on Sunday Dec. 26. Zhai Zhigang and Ye Guangfu will carry out spacewalks, and Wang Yaping will assist in the Tianhe core module. Live Stream: youtube.com/cnspace/live
https://twitter.com/TiangongStation/status/1474634493449281538
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4th CSS spacewalk starting on Dec. 26 around 0:00 UTC
The second EVA by Shenzhou-13 is scheduled on Sunday Dec. 26. Zhai Zhigang and Ye Guangfu will carry out spacewalks, and Wang Yaping will assist in the Tianhe core module. Live Stream: youtube.com/cnspace/live
The YT content crawler says the EVA is expected soon, and awaiting official announcement.
It also notes the next circa 6 hour window takes CSS over China on successive orbits, facilitating communications.
My question: Are the domestic ground stations still critical? What about the Tianlian satellites?
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Uhh
they are now out. ::)
https://twitter.com/cosmic_penguin/status/1475061940401496067?s=21
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https://twitter.com/aj_fi/status/1475067070270349315?s=21
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English coverage!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MijQXdFzDB8
Also Zhai Zhigang is also already out.
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Both returned to the Tinahe core module at 1655UTC.
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Ye was wearing the Feitian Spacesuit with Yellow marks. Zhai the one with Red marks (as did on the previous spacewalk)
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New graphic for CSS schedule available with some concrete dates. Not sure how accurate they are since Shenzhou 13 is still on there with original Oct. 3 launch date. Nevertheless I updated the operational schedule below.
Source: https://twitter.com/ClosertoSpace/status/1477245151944843273
Edit Jan. 2: Updated graphic was shared.
Source: https://twitter.com/vony7_/status/1477297278016651264
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Completed CSS operation milestones:
2021
Apr. 29 at 3:23 UTC - launch of Tianhe on CZ-5B
May 29 at 12:55 UTC - launch of Tianzhou 2 on CZ-7
May 29 at 21:01 UTC - docking of Tianzhou 2 with aft port of Tianhe (+propellant transfer)
June 17 at 1:22 UTC - launch of Shenzhou 12 [Nie Haisheng, Liu Boming and Tang Hongbo] on CZ-2F/G
June 17 at 7:54 UTC - docking of Shenzhou 12 [Nie, Liu, Tang] with forward port of Tianhe
July 4 at 0:116:57 UTC - spacewalk (EVA-1) from Tianhe airlock (test of new space suits, installation of foot restraints, work platform and exterior panoramic camera, emergency return to airlock training) [Liu, Tang]
Aug. 20 at 0:386:33 UTC spacewalk (EVA-2) from Tianhe airlock (installation of external pump assembly, panoramic camera activation, foot restraints & extravehicular working platform installation on the robotic arm) [Nie, Liu]
Sep. 16 at 0:56 UTC - undocking of Shenzhou 12 from forward port of Tianhe (+rendezvous test at nadir port) [Nie, Liu, Tang]
Sep. 17 at 4:454:485:34 UTC - jettison of OM & deorbit burn & landing of Shenzhou 12 [Nie, Liu, Tang]
Sep. 18 at 2:25~6:25 UTC - undocking of Tianzhou 2 from aft port of Tianhe and docking with forward port of Tianhe (+propellant transfer testing)
Sep. 20 at 7:10 UTC - launch of Tianzhou 3 on CZ-7
Sep. 20 at 14:08 UTC - docking of Tianzhou 3 with aft port of Tianhe
Oct. 15 at 16:23 UTC - launch of Shenzhou 13 on CZ-2F/G [Zhai Zhigang, Wang Yaping, Ye Guangfu]
Oct. 15 at 23:48 UTC - docking of Shenzhou 13 with nadir port of Tianhe [Zhai, Wang, Ye]
Nov. 7 at 10:5117:16 UTC spacewalk (EVA-3) from Tianhe airlock (testing of new spacesuit, installation of robotic arm adapter/end effector) [Zhai, Wang]
Dec. 26 at 10:4416:55 UTC spacewalk (EVA-4) from Tianhe airlock (deployment of external camera platform C, object translation movement testing) [Zhai, Ye]
2022
Jan. 5 at 22:1222:59 UTC - robotic arm relocation testing of Tianzhou 2 (near port side port)
Jan. 7 at 21:5623:55 UTC - undocking & docking of Tianzhou 2 at forward port of Tianhe (manual docking test)
Guesstimated current timeline of upcoming CSS operations:
March (NET) - undocking of Tianzhou 2 from forward port of Tianhe for EOM & reentry
Apr. 15 (NET) - undocking from nadir port of Tianhe & landing of Shenzhou 13 [Zhai, Wang, Ye]
April (NET) - undocking of Tianzhou 3 from aft port & docking at forward port of Tianhe
May 10 (NET) - launch of Tianzhou 4 on CZ-7
May 11 (NET) - docking of Tianzhou 4 with aft port of Tianhe
May 15 (NET) - launch of Shenzhou 14 on CZ-2F/G
May 16 (NET) - docking of Shenzhou 14 with nadir port of Tianhe
May/June (NET) - undocking of Tianzhou 3 from forward port of Tianhe for EOM & reentry
May/June - launch of Wentian on CZ-5B
May/June - docking of Wentian at forward port of Tianhe
July? (NET) - undocking of Tianzhou 4 from aft port of Tianhe for EOM & reentry
July? (NET) - robotic relocation of Wentian from forward to starboard on Tianhe
August/September - Mengtian launch on CZ-5B
August/September - docking of Mengtian at forward port of Tianhe
September? - robotic relocation of Mengtian from forward to port on Tianhe
October - launch of Tianzhou 5 on CZ-7
October - docking of Tianzhou 5 with aft port of Tianhe
November - launch of Shenzhou 15 on CZ-2F/G
November - docking of Shenzhou 15 with forward port of Tianhe
Nov. 10 (NET) - undocking from nadir port & landing of Shenzhou 14
December? (NET) - undocking of Tianzhou 5 from aft port of Tianhe for EOM & reentry
Corrections & input welcome!
Edit Jan. 1
Edit Jan. 2
Edit Jan. 8
Edit Jan. 9
Edit Mar. 7
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New graphic for CSS schedule available with some concrete dates. Not sure how accurate they are since Shenzhou 13 is still on there with original Oct. 3 launch date. Nevertheless I updated the operational schedule below.
Source: ...
Is this diagram from a reliable source?
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New graphic for CSS schedule available with some concrete dates. Not sure how accurate they are since Shenzhou 13 is still on there with original Oct. 3 launch date. Nevertheless I updated the operational schedule below.
Source: ...
Is this diagram from a reliable source?
No.
Here is a moderator opinion from the region.
Base on information from picture below:
Mar 31, 2022 01:55:39.373 Tianzhou-4
May 14, 2022 09:22:31.693 Shenzhou-14
Oct 31, 2022 01:55:29.373 Tianzhou-5
Nov 17, 2022 09:22:31.693 Shenzhou-15
Judging from the SZ-13 date and the copy-and-pasted planned launch times, this graphic is very much notional and not to be relied on.
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Between 22:12 and 22:59 UTC, China performed the first rotation test with the robotic arm of its Space Station, the arm captured and secured the Tianzhou-2 spacecraft to separate from the Thiane module, then the arm made a 20° turn to return to the original position and redock the cargo spacecraft.
Source: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/72DUBJlraS1AWpJDMQjooQ
https://twitter.com/conexionspacial/status/1478884450746437633
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Between 22:12 and 22:59 UTC, China performed the first rotation test with the robotic arm of its Space Station, the arm captured and secured the Tianzhou-2 spacecraft to separate from the Thiane module, then the arm made a 20° turn to return to the original position and redock the cargo spacecraft.
Source: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/72DUBJlraS1AWpJDMQjooQ (https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/72DUBJlraS1AWpJDMQjooQ)
https://twitter.com/conexionspacial/status/1478884450746437633 (https://twitter.com/conexionspacial/status/1478884450746437633)
The original plan was to dock the cargo ship at the port on the left (according to the pictures below, but everything indicates that the ship was docked at the same port it was at).
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At 23:55 UTC, China completed a redocking test on its Space Station, the test consisted of undocking the Tianzhou-2 cargo spacecraft from the forward port of the Thiane module and then moving about 200 meters away and finally docking at the same port.
These were tests to see how the docking systems work and how Thiane is doing before the arrival of the next module. Remote and crew-controlled docking inside Thiane was also tested.https://twitter.com/conexionspacial/status/1479663323415257088 (https://twitter.com/conexionspacial/status/1479663323415257088)
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...At 11:55 UTC, China completed a redocking test...
7:55 BJT (Jan 8, 2022) = 23:55 UT (Jan 7, 2022)
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At 11:55 UTC, China completed a redocking test on its Space Station, the test consisted of undocking the Tianzhou-2 cargo spacecraft from the forward port of the Thiane module and then moving about 200 meters away and finally docking at the same port.
These were tests to see how the docking systems work and how Thiane is doing before the arrival of the next module. Remote and crew-controlled docking inside Thiane was also tested.https://twitter.com/conexionspacial/status/1479663323415257088
at 11:55 p.m. UTC.
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https://twitter.com/CNSAWatcher/status/1485877823277522947
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https://twitter.com/Cosmic_Penguin/status/1486988061355671557
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New videos
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=METjvqmcF8E
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YAKlCAz6h4
I found the first video really interesting. Very nice sleeping berths, each one has a porthole.
Most fascinating are the elastic bands built in the clothes (starting about 10:00 in the first video).
Do NASA/ESA/Roskosmos have something like that?
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New videos
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=METjvqmcF8E
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YAKlCAz6h4
I found the first video really interesting. Very nice sleeping berths, each one has a porthole.
Most fascinating are the elastic bands built in the clothes (starting about 10:00 in the first video).
Do NASA/ESA/Roskosmos have something like that?
They look very similar to the "Pingvin" resistive exercise suit.
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I just found on Google this image from August 2021 of what appears to be a mockup of the fully assembled station.
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https://twitter.com/DongFangHour/status/1489558052596555779
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQK4N4lafLI
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I just found on Google this image from August 2021 of what appears to be a mockup of the fully assembled station.
The modules are flight hardware given the protective remove before flight covers and streamers that say remove before flight. The engineering and ground test articles have grey metallic covers and flight spares also have red covers. Mockups generally do not receive such covers.
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I just found on Google this image from August 2021 of what appears to be a mockup of the fully assembled station.
The modules are flight hardware given the protective remove before flight covers and streamers that say remove before flight. The engineering and ground test articles have grey metallic covers and flight spares also have red covers. Mockups generally do not receive such covers.
Interesting. I had no idea they were doing these kinds of full-scale fit checks with flight hardware.
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I just found on Google this image from August 2021 of what appears to be a mockup of the fully assembled station.
The modules are flight hardware given the protective remove before flight covers and streamers that say remove before flight. The engineering and ground test articles have grey metallic covers and flight spares also have red covers. Mockups generally do not receive such covers.
China may not follow the same colour-coding conventions as others.
But regardless, the answer to "is it a ground test article or flight hardware?" is 'yes': The Tianhe module pictured is Tianhe-2, the backup to Tianhe-1 (so flight hardware), but is also being used as the ground test article - because if you need to build two anyway, may as well use it rather than warehousing it. There are tentative plans to launch it at a later date as part of a later phase Tiangong expansion.
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I just found on Google this image from August 2021 of what appears to be a mockup of the fully assembled station.
The modules are flight hardware given the protective remove before flight covers and streamers that say remove before flight. The engineering and ground test articles have grey metallic covers and flight spares also have red covers. Mockups generally do not receive such covers.
China may not follow the same colour-coding conventions as others.
But regardless, the answer to "is it a ground test article or flight hardware?" is 'yes': The Tianhe module pictured is Tianhe-2, the backup to Tianhe-1 (so flight hardware), but is also being used as the ground test article - because if you need to build two anyway, may as well use it rather than warehousing it. There are tentative plans to launch it at a later date as part of a later phase Tiangong expansion.
China is taking a direct cue from the Soviet-Union (and later Russia) who did the exact same thing with the Almaz and Salyut space stations. As well as elements for the ISS (such as Rassvet and Nauka which were converted from ground test articles for SPP and the FGB).
Heck, even the USA did it. Space Shuttle Challenger was converted from the shuttle STA. It even happens with satellites. The IRAS IRX was converted from the development model. The ANS PFS was converted into the spare flight article in case the Scout launcher decided to have a bad day (which it did by the way but fortunately did not result in LOM, but that is another story).
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The flight schedule covers to Shenzhou 15. Is anything yet known concerning the launch dates for Shenzhou 16,17,etc?
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I just found on Google this image from August 2021 of what appears to be a mockup of the fully assembled station.
The modules are flight hardware given the protective remove before flight covers and streamers that say remove before flight. The engineering and ground test articles have grey metallic covers and flight spares also have red covers. Mockups generally do not receive such covers.
China may not follow the same colour-coding conventions as others.
But regardless, the answer to "is it a ground test article or flight hardware?" is 'yes': The Tianhe module pictured is Tianhe-2, the backup to Tianhe-1 (so flight hardware), but is also being used as the ground test article - because if you need to build two anyway, may as well use it rather than warehousing it. There are tentative plans to launch it at a later date as part of a later phase Tiangong expansion.
They have on nearly every spacecraft to date they have manufactured that we have seen photos of. The red is an internationally agreed colour just like International Aerospace Orange and others.
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https://twitter.com/CNSAWatcher/status/1491585530420731904
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I just found on Google this image from August 2021 of what appears to be a mockup of the fully assembled station.
The modules are flight hardware given the protective remove before flight covers and streamers that say remove before flight. The engineering and ground test articles have grey metallic covers and flight spares also have red covers. Mockups generally do not receive such covers.
China may not follow the same colour-coding conventions as others.
But regardless, the answer to "is it a ground test article or flight hardware?" is 'yes': The Tianhe module pictured is Tianhe-2, the backup to Tianhe-1 (so flight hardware), but is also being used as the ground test article - because if you need to build two anyway, may as well use it rather than warehousing it. There are tentative plans to launch it at a later date as part of a later phase Tiangong expansion.
They have on nearly every spacecraft to date they have manufactured that we have seen photos of. The red is an internationally agreed colour just like International Aerospace Orange and others.
Spacecraft covers are not nearly as universal as in commercial aviation. For example, the Ariane covers, plugs and tags are a rather nice purple rather than red!
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https://twitter.com/CNSAWatcher/status/1492415784769007617
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Completed CSS operation milestones:
2021
Apr. 29 at 3:23 UTC - launch of Tianhe on CZ-5B
May 29 at 12:55 UTC - launch of Tianzhou 2 on CZ-7
May 29 at 21:01 UTC - docking of Tianzhou 2 with aft port of Tianhe (+propellant transfer)
June 17 at 1:22 UTC - launch of Shenzhou 12 [Nie Haisheng, Liu Boming and Tang Hongbo] on CZ-2F/G
June 17 at 7:54 UTC - docking of Shenzhou 12 [Nie, Liu, Tang] with forward port of Tianhe
July 4 at 0:116:57 UTC - spacewalk (EVA-1) from Tianhe airlock (test of new space suits, installation of foot restraints, work platform and exterior panoramic camera, emergency return to airlock training) [Liu, Tang]
Aug. 20 at 0:386:33 UTC spacewalk (EVA-2) from Tianhe airlock (installation of external pump assembly, panoramic camera activation, foot restraints & extravehicular working platform installation on the robotic arm) [Nie, Liu]
Sep. 16 at 0:56 UTC - undocking of Shenzhou 12 from forward port of Tianhe (+rendezvous test at nadir port) [Nie, Liu, Tang]
Sep. 17 at 4:454:485:34 UTC - jettison of OM & deorbit burn & landing of Shenzhou 12 [Nie, Liu, Tang]
Sep. 18 at 2:25~6:25 UTC - undocking of Tianzhou 2 from aft port of Tianhe and docking with forward port of Tianhe (+propellant transfer testing)
Sep. 20 at 7:10 UTC - launch of Tianzhou 3 on CZ-7
Sep. 20 at 14:08 UTC - docking of Tianzhou 3 with aft port of Tianhe
Oct. 15 at 16:23 UTC - launch of Shenzhou 13 on CZ-2F/G [Zhai Zhigang, Wang Yaping, Ye Guangfu]
Oct. 15 at 23:48 UTC - docking of Shenzhou 13 with nadir port of Tianhe [Zhai, Wang, Ye]
Nov. 7 at 10:5117:16 UTC spacewalk (EVA-3) from Tianhe airlock (testing of new spacesuit, installation of robotic arm adapter/end effector) [Zhai, Wang]
Dec. 26 at 10:4416:55 UTC spacewalk (EVA-4) from Tianhe airlock (deployment of external camera platform C, object translation movement testing) [Zhai, Ye]
2022
Jan. 5 at 22:1222:59 UTC - robotic arm relocation testing of Tianzhou 2 (near port side port)
Jan. 7 at 21:5623:55 UTC - undocking & docking of Tianzhou 2 at forward port of Tianhe (manual docking test)
Mar. 27 at 7:59 UTC - undocking of Tianzhou 2 from forward port of Tianhe for EOM
Mar. 31 at 10:40 UTC - reentry of Tianzhou 2 over the South Pacific
Apr. 14 at 16:44 UTC - undocking of Shenzhou 13 from nadir port of Tianhe [Zhai, Wang, Ye]
Apr. 16 at 1:071:09~1:311:56 UTC - jettison of OM & deorbit burn & jettison of PM & landing of Shenzhou 13 [Zhai, Wang, Ye]
Apr. 19 at 21:0201:06 UTC - undocking of Tianzhou 3 from aft port & docking at forward port of Tianhe
Guesstimated current timeline of upcoming CSS operations:
May 10 - launch of Tianzhou 4 on CZ-7
May 11 (NET) - docking of Tianzhou 4 with aft port of Tianhe
May/June (NET) - undocking of Tianzhou 3 from forward port of Tianhe for EOM & reentry
June 5 - launch of Shenzhou 14 on CZ-2F/G
June 6 (NET) - docking of Shenzhou 14 with nadir port of Tianhe
July 23 - launch of Wentian on CZ-5B
July 24 (NET) - docking of Wentian at forward port of Tianhe
July? (NET) - undocking of Tianzhou 4 from aft port of Tianhe for EOM & reentry
July? (NET) - robotic relocation of Wentian from forward to starboard on Tianhe
October - launch of Mengtian on CZ-5B
October - docking of Mengtian at forward port of Tianhe
October? - robotic relocation of Mengtian from forward to port on Tianhe
November - launch of Tianzhou 5 on CZ-7
November - docking of Tianzhou 5 with aft port of Tianhe
November/December - launch of Shenzhou 15 on CZ-2F/G
November/December - docking of Shenzhou 15 with forward port of Tianhe
December - undocking from nadir port & landing of Shenzhou 14
December? (NET) - undocking of Tianzhou 5 from aft port of Tianhe for EOM & reentry
Corrections & input welcome!
Edit Mar. 25
Edit Mar. 28
Edit Mar. 31
Edit Apr. 14
Edit Apr. 19
Edit Apr. 20
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Cross-Post:
CMSA confirmed that the Tianzhou-2 cargo spacecraft re-entered Earth today at 10:40 UTC over the Pacific Ocean.https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/I_aK41Uva8paR-vOUNiZsg (https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/I_aK41Uva8paR-vOUNiZsg)
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The Tianzhou-5 cargo spacecraft will carry on board five CubeSats which will be launched from the Chinese Space Station.
https://twitter.com/CNSpaceflight/status/1509162706959417348
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The three Shenzhou-13 astronauts--Zhai Zhigang, Wang Yaping and Ye Guangfu--are tidying up Tianhe ahead of their return home (perhaps later this week). [CMSA]..
https://twitter.com/AJ_FI/status/1513507763724468226
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Core module of China's space station achieves anticipated goal (https://english.news.cn/20220418/eea0bc270641424aa9e604a5e1bec9ab/c.html)
Tianhe, the core module of China's space station, has completed its verification of key technologies and achieved its expected goal.
Yang Hong, chief designer of the space station system of the China Manned Space Program at the China Academy of Space Technology, made the remarks at a press conference in Beijing on Sunday.
Yang said the core module has been in orbit for almost one year, and all missions have been carried out smoothly and according to plan, including rendezvous and docking with two manned spacecraft and two cargo spacecraft, as well as the three-month stay of the Shenzhou-12 crew and the six-month stay of the Shenzhou-13 crew.
Missions including extravehicular activities and manual remote operations were carried out in the past year.
Key technologies related to physical and chemical recycling and life support, large complex control, as well as large flexible solar cell wings and driving, have been verified.
Evaluation results show that Tianhe's current functions perform better than their design, Yang said.
Tianhe's recycling and life-support system has provided a good environment for astronauts' metabolism needs in orbit, Yang said.
Moisture discharged by astronauts is collected as condensed water, and urine is recycled and processed into drinking water and oxygen. Tianhe's water recycling efficiency is higher than 95 percent.
The amount of drinking water and oxygen that needs to be carried by cargo spacecraft has been greatly reduced thanks to the technology.
Large-scale flexible solar cell wings have been providing energy for the core module and its complex. The assessment showed that the solar cell wings have a power generation capacity approaching 10 kilowatt, beyond the expectations of their design.
Four extravehicular activities conducted by the Shenzhou-12 and Shenzhou-13 crews covered the operations, installation and maintenance of electronics, machines, pipelines and other typical equipment outside the cabin, and laid a solid foundation for astronauts to install and maintain extravehicular facilities during long-term operational periods after the completion of the space station, Yang said.
The robot arm played an important role in the whole key technology verification process and performed excellently. Its joint motion ability and terminal positioning accuracy met its design expectations. Its stiffness proved to be capable of lifting and transferring large loads, Yang said.
Since 2020, China has successfully carried out six flight missions, including the space station core module Tianhe, the Shenzhou-12 and Shenzhou-13 manned spacecraft, and the Tianzhou-2 and Tianzhou-3 cargo spacecraft, Hao Chun, director of the China Manned Space Agency, said at the press conference.
All six missions achieved success and completed their goal of verifying key technologies, Hao said.
According to schedule, China will complete the in-orbit construction of its space station by 2022. A total of six missions are planned for this year, including the launch of the Tianzhou-4 cargo spacecraft in May, the Shenzhou-14 manned spacecraft in June, the lab module Wentian in July, and the lab module Mengtian in October.
The three modules will form a T shape to complete the in-orbit construction of China's space station, followed by the launch of the Tianzhou-5 cargo spacecraft and the Shenzhou-15 manned spacecraft, Hao said.
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From Xinhua,
Two lab modules to be central work area on China's space station (https://english.news.cn/20220417/b682e5d573f643c8b1bcbc23cca5dd2d/c.html).
The Wentian and Mengtian lab modules will be sent into space this year, and will become the central working area for astronauts in orbit after China's space station construction is completed, according to a press conference on Sunday.
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https://twitter.com/globaltimesnews/status/1516607204379738118
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https://twitter.com/TiangongStation/status/1522788531533348865
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May 09 17:56:30 UTC - launch of Tianzhou 4 on CZ-7
May 10 01:47:37 UTC - docking of Tianzhou 4 with aft port of TianheMay 10 - launch of Tianzhou 4 on CZ-7
May 11 (NET) - docking of Tianzhou 4 with aft port of Tianhe
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Expert from China: It will be difficult for Russia to make launches at Tiangong.
Yang Yuguang: It will be difficult for Russia to launch to the Tiangong space station.
17:10 10.05.2022
BEIJING, May 10 - RIA Novosti. In the future, other countries will be able to send spacecraft to China's Tiangong Orbital Space Station, but Russia will face difficulties in launching ships due to the geographical location of the spaceports, said Vice Chairman of the International Astronautical Federation's Space Transportation Committee, professor at the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC) Yang Yuguang.
According to him, in the future it may be possible to launch spacecraft to the Chinese orbital space station from other countries.
Speaking of Russia , there is one factor that we must take into account. The territory of Russia is located at very high latitudes, and for docking with the Chinese space station, we have a basic requirement: the latitude at which the launch pad is located must be no higher than 42 degrees, this is the difficulty that Russia will face," Yang Yuguang said on Chinese TV channel CGTN on Tuesday.
At the same time, Yang Yuguang noted that the United States , Japan , as well as the EU countries that operate the Kourou cosmodrome in French Guiana , will not face such difficulties.
China's Tianzhou-4 spacecraft successfully docked at the Tiangong station on Tuesday. The truck delivered fuel, equipment, consumables and other cargo into orbit for the Shenzhou-14 crew of three, who will go to the Tiangong station in June this year and spend about six months there.
The construction of the Chinese multi-module orbital station Tiangong officially began on April 29, 2021, when the main module Tianhe was successfully launched into orbit. The construction of the station is expected to be completed this year. Three cosmonauts can be on the station at the same time, or six people during a crew change.
It is planned that the Wentian laboratory module and the Mengtian research module will dock to the station this year. In addition, in 2025, the autonomous astrophysical module "Xuntian" should be launched, which will periodically dock with the station for maintenance.
The main module of the station with a length of 16.6 meters and a maximum diameter of 4.2 meters was named "Tianhe", at the moment it is the largest spacecraft built in China . The control and management center and the main living space for the crew (about 50 cubic meters) are located here, and some scientific and technological experiments will also be carried out here.
In addition to the main module, living space is also provided in the experimental ones, so its total area will be about 110 cubic meters. The main module is equipped with two docking stations for experimental compartments, as well as three docking ports for docking manned and cargo ships.
https://ria.ru/20220510/kosmos-1787771971.html
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Its a lot of work, but an option for Russia is to get Soyuz-5 launching Oryol from the old Zenit sea launch pad.
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Completed CSS operation milestones:
2021
Apr. 29 at 3:23 UTC - launch of Tianhe on CZ-5B
May 29 at 12:55 UTC - launch of Tianzhou 2 on CZ-7
May 29 at 21:01 UTC - docking of Tianzhou 2 with aft port of Tianhe (+propellant transfer)
June 17 at 1:22 UTC - launch of Shenzhou 12 [Nie Haisheng, Liu Boming and Tang Hongbo] on CZ-2F/G
June 17 at 7:54 UTC - docking of Shenzhou 12 [Nie, Liu, Tang] with forward port of Tianhe
July 4 at 0:116:57 UTC - spacewalk (EVA-1) from Tianhe airlock (test of new space suits, installation of foot restraints, work platform and exterior panoramic camera, emergency return to airlock training) [Liu, Tang]
Aug. 20 at 0:386:33 UTC spacewalk (EVA-2) from Tianhe airlock (installation of external pump assembly, panoramic camera activation, foot restraints & extravehicular working platform installation on the robotic arm) [Nie, Liu]
Sep. 16 at 0:56 UTC - undocking of Shenzhou 12 from forward port of Tianhe (+rendezvous test at nadir port) [Nie, Liu, Tang]
Sep. 17 at 4:454:485:34 UTC - jettison of OM & deorbit burn & landing of Shenzhou 12 [Nie, Liu, Tang]
Sep. 18 at 2:25~6:25 UTC - undocking of Tianzhou 2 from aft port of Tianhe and docking with forward port of Tianhe (+propellant transfer testing)
Sep. 20 at 7:10 UTC - launch of Tianzhou 3 on CZ-7
Sep. 20 at 14:08 UTC - docking of Tianzhou 3 with aft port of Tianhe
Oct. 15 at 16:23 UTC - launch of Shenzhou 13 on CZ-2F/G [Zhai Zhigang, Wang Yaping, Ye Guangfu]
Oct. 15 at 22:56 UTC - docking of Shenzhou 13 with nadir port of Tianhe [Zhai, Wang, Ye]
Nov. 7 at 10:5117:16 UTC spacewalk (EVA-3) from Tianhe airlock (testing of new spacesuit, installation of robotic arm adapter/end effector) [Zhai, Wang]
Dec. 26 at 10:4416:55 UTC spacewalk (EVA-4) from Tianhe airlock (deployment of external camera platform C, object translation movement testing) [Zhai, Ye]
2022
Jan. 5 at 22:1222:59 UTC - robotic arm relocation testing of Tianzhou 2 (near port side port)
Jan. 7 at 21:5623:55 UTC - undocking & docking of Tianzhou 2 at forward port of Tianhe (manual docking test)
Mar. 27 at 7:59 UTC - undocking of Tianzhou 2 from forward port of Tianhe for EOM
Mar. 31 at 10:40 UTC - reentry of Tianzhou 2 over the South Pacific
Apr. 14 at 16:44 UTC - undocking of Shenzhou 13 from nadir port of Tianhe [Zhai, Wang, Ye]
Apr. 16 at 1:071:09~1:311:56 UTC - jettison of OM & deorbit burn & jettison of PM & landing of Shenzhou 13 [Zhai, Wang, Ye]
Apr. 19 at 21:0201:06 UTC - undocking of Tianzhou 3 from aft port & docking at forward port of Tianhe
May 10 at 17:56 UTC - launch of Tianzhou 4 on CZ-7
May 11 at 0:47 UTC - docking of Tianzhou 4 with aft port of Tianhe
June 5 at 2:44 UTC - launch of Shenzhou 14 on CZ-2F/G [Chen Dong, Liu Yang, Cai Xuzhe]
June 5 at 9:42 UTC - docking of Shenzhou 14 with nadir port of Tianhe [Chen, Liu, Cai]
July 17 at 2:59 UTC - undocking of Tianzhou 3 from forward port of Tianhe for EOM
July 24 at 6:22 UTC - launch of Wentian on CZ-5B
July 24 at 19:0819:13 UTC - (soft/hard) docking of Wentian at forward port of Tianhe
July 27 at 3:31 UTC - reentry of Tianzhou 3 over the South Pacific
Guesstimated current timeline of upcoming CSS operations:
September (NET) - robotic relocation of Wentian from forward to starboard on Tianhe
October - launch of Mengtian on CZ-5B
October - docking of Mengtian at forward port of Tianhe
October? - robotic relocation of Mengtian from forward to port on Tianhe
Late October (NET) - undocking of Tianzhou 4 from aft port of Tianhe for EOM & reentry
November - launch of Tianzhou 5 on CZ-7
November - docking of Tianzhou 5 with aft port of Tianhe
November/December - launch of Shenzhou 15 on CZ-2F/G
November/December - docking of Shenzhou 15 with forward port of Tianhe
December - undocking from nadir port & landing of Shenzhou 14 [Chen, Liu, Cai]
April? (NET) - undocking of Tianzhou 5 from aft port of Tianhe for EOM & reentry
Corrections & input welcome!
Edit May 11
Edit June 4
Edit June 6
Edit July 12
Edit July 17
Edit July 24
Edit July 29
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An illustration of the China Space Station core module robotic arm with the laboratory module arm connected at the end.
https://twitter.com/CNSpaceflight/status/1543492387950931969
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I made this one combining Chinese CGI.
https://twitter.com/ShuttleAlmanac/status/1543499354358824961
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Tianzhou-3 deorbit burns will happen after the launch and docking of Wentian Laboratory Module, so it will fly with Tianhe Core Module for at least one more week, not just few days. What jobs will the cargo spacecraft do during this period? Can it assist Wentian docking?
https://twitter.com/CNSpaceflight/status/1548733661285036033
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According to a post by CASC, the relocation of Wentian Lab Module from the forward to starboard port will happen ~1 month before the launch of Menttian. Wentian measures 17.9m in length, 4.2m in width. 50m^3 pressurized volume hosting 8 research racks, among which 4 belong to CAS..
1 probably to ACC, and the remaining 3 are probably empty shelves to host customer payloads.
https://twitter.com/CNSpaceflight/status/1550713355974742016
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Latest News of WenTian Lab:
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The newly-installed CO2-reduction ECLSS (basically a Sabatier reactor) has produced 22L of water in about a month's worth of operations:
https://mobile.twitter.com/SegerYu/status/1550665365046595584
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Latest News of WenTian Lab:
Officical video from Xinhuanet:
http://www.news.cn/tech/2022-07/23/c_1128858014.htm
I have uploaded it to youtube:
https://youtu.be/gF_i4f3um1A
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Here comes my interview with Mr. ADOLFO UBIDIA INCIO,Director of Peruvian Chapter, The Mars Society. We'll talk about topics including the international scientific #experiments aboard Chinas space station (#CSS).
https://twitter.com/wulei2020/status/1550775773044174849
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A post by ChinaDaily & Our Space, cited @TricLarose's tweet of conducting #TumorsInSpace research in #Tiangong, adding "Dr Larose is currently taking training as a payload specialist. She's expected to board the China Space Station in 2025-2026". It seems an official recognition..
https://twitter.com/CNSpaceflight/status/1552113208462217217
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Dr. Larose, the future astronaut, in spacesuit..
https://twitter.com/CNSpaceflight/status/1552168436070895617
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Watch an interesting video: CSS Intelligent Induced Maintenance System. The video simulates the astronaut wearing AR glasses, and according to voice, animation and text guidance, initializes and unlocks the "mobile maintenance platform" of the Mengtian experimental cabin "online maintenance and adjustment operation cabinet MMW". *This MMW cabinet is in Mengtian, not Wentian's scientific glove box and cryogenic storage cabinet GCSR. These two cabinets look a bit similar, don't mix them up.
Mobile maintenance platform - expand the operating area, support large-load on-orbit maintenance operations, and carry out popular science education activities... MMW is a cabinet used to repair experimental cabinets. Astronauts cannot fully understand the maintenance of each hardware of the space station, so CAS/ CSU designed this intelligent induced maintenance system to help astronauts do their jobs easily. In the future, the system will also add a real-time expert system.
What should we call this in English?
Maintenance & Malfunction Workstation?
Mobile Maintenance Workstation?
https://twitter.com/SegerYu/status/1552753969034043392
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CSS may be approached to within 9.155km (5.08 vertical) by Starlink #52640 on 2022-07-30T04:53:14.054Z. 7/29/2022
https://twitter.com/starlink_map/status/1553083155485118464
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CSS may be approached to within 9.018km (7.23 vertical) by Starlink #52643 on 2022-07-30T14:05:56.584Z. 7/30/2022
https://twitter.com/starlink_map/status/1553269381357965312
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good morning. This morning is #CSS #Tiangong in Nagoya (Chinese space station #TIANGONG ). It grew and became smaller for a while, but before dawn on the 25th, the new experimental building module #Qianten docked and became like a space station at once.
https://twitter.com/sorauta_jp/status/1553109242521198592
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https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-62333546
"Designing objects to disintegrate upon atmospheric re-entry is becoming a priority for satellite operators. It's done partly by using materials which have low-melting point temperatures, such as aluminium.
In the case of rockets, this can be expensive, as historically the materials used for housing fuel, such as titanium, require very high temperatures to burn up. The sheer size of such objects is also an issue, especially in the case of the Long March 5, weighing over 25 tonnes."
Expensive?
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https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-62333546
"Designing objects to disintegrate upon atmospheric re-entry is becoming a priority for satellite operators. It's done partly by using materials which have low-melting point temperatures, such as aluminium.
In the case of rockets, this can be expensive, as historically the materials used for housing fuel, such as titanium, require very high temperatures to burn up. The sheer size of such objects is also an issue, especially in the case of the Long March 5, weighing over 25 tonnes."
Expensive?
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https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-62333546
"Designing objects to disintegrate upon atmospheric re-entry is becoming a priority for satellite operators. It's done partly by using materials which have low-melting point temperatures, such as aluminium.
In the case of rockets, this can be expensive, as historically the materials used for housing fuel, such as titanium, require very high temperatures to burn up. The sheer size of such objects is also an issue, especially in the case of the Long March 5, weighing over 25 tonnes."
Expensive?
I think they mean expensive, like the aluminum-lithium alloys used on later Space Shuttle external tanks, and similar structures. Fancy alloys are generally not easy to make or work with, increasing general cost.
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A even more clear shot of #Tiangong from ground, taken on Aug.01 from Beijing.
https://twitter.com/CNSpaceflight/status/1554094798008565760
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https://twitter.com/aj_fi/status/1554720185105498112
The small 5-metre-long robotic arm on Wentian has passed on-orbit testing. Will next connect with the 10m arm on Tianhe for further testing, CMSA says. Some great views in the video below. Source [CMSA]: m.weibo.cn/detail/4798304
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The small robotic arm on Wentian has passed necessary tests. Next, it will be connected with the big arm on Tianhe for more tests. As shown in the animation below, the combined arm is long enough to reach the new airlock section from Tianhe. Looking forward to seeing it!
https://twitter.com/CNSpaceflight/status/1554716607682752512
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Chinese space station's robotic arm tested on-orbit in these amazing views
https://youtu.be/YL1duTDrPnM
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"3 persons, 6 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms 6 bedrooms, each with a view on Earth and the Stars Sleep in whichever room you want
Comfortable"
https://twitter.com/SpaceIntellige3/status/1555530439955300352
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Wentian is not only a laboratory, but also an additional living room for #Tiangong astronauts..
https://twitter.com/CNSpaceflight/status/1555564599985917952
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Shenzhou-14 astronauts installing the control moment gyroscope delivered by Tianzhou-4 on Wentian Laboratory Module. 4 of these were already installed on Wentian before launch, and one more will be delivered by Tianzhou-5. In total, 6 CMGs, same as Tianhe, will be on Wentian..
https://twitter.com/CNSpaceflight/status/1556215086556913664
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Capture of Wentian module equipment:
This is CHAL 9001 (Chinese Heuristically programmed ALgorithmic Computer)
- CHAL, open the pod bay!
- I'm sorry I can`t do this, Mr. Zhong...
Sorry, I couldn't resist the bad joke... :-[
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Emblems of the 3 remaining missions: Mengtian, Tianzhou-5 and Shenzhou-15, to #Tiangong in 2022, released by CMSA but deleted shortly afterwards because there were major errors in the latter two. Try if you can locate the errors.
https://twitter.com/CNSpaceflight/status/1556967922265755648
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Chinese astronauts set up new lab module, test robotic arm on space station..
https://youtu.be/KIxv_QhWg58
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Solar array wings on Wentian rotating around the Sun:
https://twitter.com/Cosmic_Penguin/status/1556987140793602049
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The 4 parts of the current Chinese Space Station in order of launch date: #Tiangong #CSS
1 2021-04-29 Core cabin #Tianhe1
2 2022-05-10 Cargo spaceship #Tianzhou4
3 2022-06-05 Manned spacecraft #Shenzhou14
4 2022-07-24 #Wentian laboratory cabin
https://twitter.com/SpaceIntellige3/status/1557296392778964994
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Next spacewalk on #Tiangong is coming soon.
Red-stripped space suit vs gold-stripped space suit.
CHEN Dong, LIU Yang
Who will wear which of the two?
https://twitter.com/CNAstronauts/status/1557252915667951617
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If Mengtian is lost in a launch failure, are they able to maintain the Tiangong station with just one experimental module (Wentian, in this case)?
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If Mengtian is lost in a launch failure, are they able to maintain the Tiangong station with just one experimental module (Wentian, in this case)?
I believe there are backup modules for each section, which is why there talks of phase 2 where the backup modules are used as expansion of the current station.
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Workout in #Wentian Laboratory Module..
https://twitter.com/CNSpaceflight/status/1558098717659447304
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Breathable and flexible like socks; protective like shoes. That is the intravehicular footwear for Shenzhou astronauts.
The bottom pattern derives from Chinese characters "九天揽月(catch the moon)" in Zuan style. The surrounding holes symbolize stars
#TianGong #shenzhou13
https://twitter.com/CNAstronauts/status/1505303098985693191
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Chinese space station's 'flexible solar wings' in action in views from space
https://youtu.be/yoBfy14N88s
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Soon!
https://twitter.com/CNSpaceflight/status/1558457318634708995
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Just to confirm: They will be using the new, permanent airlock at the tip of Wentian:
https://twitter.com/Cosmic_Penguin/status/1558699881082290176
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Completed CSS operation milestones:
2021
Apr. 29 at 3:23 UTC - launch of Tianhe on CZ-5B
May 29 at 12:55 UTC - launch of Tianzhou 2 on CZ-7
May 29 at 21:01 UTC - docking of Tianzhou 2 with aft port of Tianhe (+propellant transfer)
June 17 at 1:22 UTC - launch of Shenzhou 12 [Nie Haisheng, Liu Boming and Tang Hongbo] on CZ-2F/G
June 17 at 7:54 UTC - docking of Shenzhou 12 [Nie, Liu, Tang] with forward port of Tianhe
July 4 at 0:116:57 UTC - spacewalk (EVA-1) from Tianhe airlock (test of new space suits, installation of foot restraints, work platform and exterior panoramic camera, emergency return to airlock training) [Liu, Tang]
Aug. 20 at 0:386:33 UTC spacewalk (EVA-2) from Tianhe airlock (installation of external pump assembly, panoramic camera activation, foot restraints & extravehicular working platform installation on the robotic arm) [Nie, Liu]
Sep. 16 at 0:56 UTC - undocking of Shenzhou 12 from forward port of Tianhe (+rendezvous test at nadir port) [Nie, Liu, Tang]
Sep. 17 at 4:454:485:34 UTC - jettison of OM & deorbit burn & landing of Shenzhou 12 [Nie, Liu, Tang]
Sep. 18 at 2:25~6:25 UTC - undocking of Tianzhou 2 from aft port of Tianhe and docking with forward port of Tianhe (+propellant transfer testing)
Sep. 20 at 7:10 UTC - launch of Tianzhou 3 on CZ-7
Sep. 20 at 14:08 UTC - docking of Tianzhou 3 with aft port of Tianhe
Oct. 15 at 16:23 UTC - launch of Shenzhou 13 on CZ-2F/G [Zhai Zhigang, Wang Yaping, Ye Guangfu]
Oct. 15 at 22:56 UTC - docking of Shenzhou 13 with nadir port of Tianhe [Zhai, Wang, Ye]
Nov. 7 at 10:5117:16 UTC spacewalk (EVA-3) from Tianhe airlock (testing of new spacesuit, installation of robotic arm adapter/end effector) [Zhai, Wang]
Dec. 26 at 10:4416:55 UTC spacewalk (EVA-4) from Tianhe airlock (deployment of external camera platform C, object translation movement testing) [Zhai, Ye]
2022
Jan. 5 at 22:1222:59 UTC - robotic arm relocation testing of Tianzhou 2 (near port side port)
Jan. 7 at 21:5623:55 UTC - undocking & docking of Tianzhou 2 at forward port of Tianhe (manual docking test)
Mar. 27 at 7:59 UTC - undocking of Tianzhou 2 from forward port of Tianhe for EOM
Mar. 31 at 10:40 UTC - reentry of Tianzhou 2 over the South Pacific
Apr. 14 at 16:44 UTC - undocking of Shenzhou 13 from nadir port of Tianhe [Zhai, Wang, Ye]
Apr. 16 at 1:071:09~1:311:56 UTC - jettison of OM & deorbit burn & jettison of PM & landing of Shenzhou 13 [Zhai, Wang, Ye]
Apr. 19 at 21:0201:06 UTC - undocking of Tianzhou 3 from aft port & docking at forward port of Tianhe
May 10 at 17:56 UTC - launch of Tianzhou 4 on CZ-7
May 11 at 0:47 UTC - docking of Tianzhou 4 with aft port of Tianhe
June 5 at 2:44 UTC - launch of Shenzhou 14 on CZ-2F/G [Chen Dong, Liu Yang, Cai Xuzhe]
June 5 at 9:42 UTC - docking of Shenzhou 14 with nadir port of Tianhe [Chen, Liu, Cai]
July 17 at 2:59 UTC - undocking of Tianzhou 3 from forward port of Tianhe for EOM
July 24 at 6:22 UTC - launch of Wentian on CZ-5B
July 24 at 19:0819:13 UTC - (soft/hard) docking of Wentian at forward port of Tianhe
July 27 at 3:31 UTC - reentry of Tianzhou 3 over the South Pacific
Sep. 2 at 10:2616:33 UTC - spacewalk (EVA-5) from Wentian airlock (installation of coolant pump on Wentian, raising a panoramic camera and testing of the small robotic arm) [Chen, Liu]
Sep. 17 at 5:359:47 UTC - spacewalk (EVA-6) from Wentian airlock (installation of foot restraint B and an assisting hatch handle, installation of a circulating pump and demonstration of extravehicular emergency rescue procedures) [Chen, Cai]
Guesstimated current timeline of upcoming CSS operations:
late September (NET) - robotic relocation of Wentian from forward to starboard on Tianhe
October 27 (NET) - launch of Mengtian on CZ-5B
October 28 (NET) - docking of Mengtian at forward port of Tianhe
October? - robotic relocation of Mengtian from forward to port on Tianhe
Late October (NET) - undocking of Tianzhou 4 from aft port of Tianhe for EOM & reentry
November 6 - launch of Tianzhou 5 on CZ-7
November 7 - docking of Tianzhou 5 with aft port of Tianhe
November/December - launch of Shenzhou 15 on CZ-2F/G
November/December - docking of Shenzhou 15 with forward port of Tianhe
December - undocking from nadir port & landing of Shenzhou 14 [Chen, Liu, Cai]
April? (NET) - undocking of Tianzhou 5 from aft port of Tianhe for EOM & reentry
Corrections & input welcome!
Edit Aug. 14
Edit Sep. 3
Edit Sep. 18
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photo taken by Michael Tzukran
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Found an interesting image of what appears to be a Tiangong integrated ground test; https://36kr.com/p/1841149614662659
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Inside the new Wentian airlock for EVA. Hatch is on the upper right. It is spacious.
https://twitter.com/CNSpaceflight/status/1559534375628181505
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#Wentian airlock hatch and the new robotic arm..
https://twitter.com/CNSpaceflight/status/1559711753042178049
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CAI Xuzhe in the new Wentian airlock simulator on May 12, 2022.
https://twitter.com/CNAstronauts/status/1558760936936157184
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Watch #Shenzhou14 astronauts set up Glovebox and Cryogenic Storage Rack under "supervision"
https://twitter.com/CNSpaceflight/status/1559901915970158594
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Astronaut CAI Xuzhe got a new bedroom in Wentian Laboratory Module.
https://twitter.com/CNAstronauts/status/1559659012081065984
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https://youtu.be/8DN3FTVkTEc
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Seeing space station footage I always think "when will we have artificial gravity space stations?".
Can't wait for it!
https://twitter.com/SpaceIntellige3/status/1560251251908026369
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This weekend?
https://twitter.com/CNSpaceflight/status/1560456768496361472
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Wentian Laboratory Module carries two external payloads, one of which is the In Situ Plasma Imaging Detector and it will be mounted on one of the 22 exterior attachment locations.
https://twitter.com/CNSpaceflight/status/1560598946581401603
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The spacecraft, robotic arms and the amazing earth. Camera views from Tiangong China Space Station
https://youtu.be/F1wMMUgWUDs
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What's in astronaut CAI Xuzhe's hand?
https://twitter.com/CNAstronauts/status/1561215543289335808
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See amazing views of Earth from the Chinese space station
https://youtu.be/e8dQLEzSY_o
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Spectacular view from the robotic arm on Tiangong China Space Station
https://youtu.be/RNL5CSgiyWE
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"Special fluids" flow in some of the "veins" of #Tiangong to redistribute heat, so the astronauts can enjoy temperatures inside the modules while the exteriors experience cycles of extreme high and low temperatures.
https://twitter.com/TiangongStation/status/1562407742731599873
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Robotic arm inspects Chinese space station in these amazing views
https://youtu.be/WUyynRkghs4
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How to pass an apple in space..
https://twitter.com/CNAstronauts/status/1562688530882514944
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It seems EVA spacesuits B (right) and C (left), now in Wentian, will be used for Shenzhou-14's first spacewalk.
SZ-14-01: B (CHEN D), C (LIU Y)
https://twitter.com/CNSpaceflight/status/1563386802081124352
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Shenzhou-14 crew grow some greens in space..
https://twitter.com/CNSpaceflight/status/1563171120777285636
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EVA spacesuit B feels so sad because it has waited too long for next spacewalk..
https://twitter.com/CNSpaceflight/status/1563530361400807429
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One paper star per day, astronaut LIU Yang is filling her star-shaped jar.
https://twitter.com/CNAstronauts/status/1563804719230885888
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More greens in space. See rice grown in the Life & Ecology Rack of Wentian Laboratory Module.
Thale cress Arabidopsis..
https://twitter.com/CNSpaceflight/status/1564113785950208000
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Finally, they didn't use the decade-old rendering of the China Space Station. Look how great this artwork in the MV is! No?
https://twitter.com/CNSpaceflight/status/1564475769748799489
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https://twitter.com/cnspaceflight/status/1564965623406292992?s=21&t=fGoWV8cwIFqh_NOeewl9Gg
EVA in about a day from now.
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Finally, they didn't use the decade-old rendering of the China Space Station. Look how great this artwork in the MV is! No?
That's Mir!
Though it makes a change from them ripping off my model photos of the first Tiangong/Shenzhou and claiming it was the real thing and circulating to all the news agencies including the BBC.
Keith
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Astronaut LIU Yang has accrued 100 days in space as of today, and on this special day she'll probably carry out a spacewalk.
https://twitter.com/CNSpaceflight/status/1565161556651806723
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https://twitter.com/CNAstronauts/status/1565093823465902081
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Starting ~12pm UTC, #Tiangong the China Space Station will have a ~10-hour break from passing the South Atlantic Anomaly where spacecrafts experience higher-than-usual levels of radiation due to high flux of energetic particles in this region, so--
https://twitter.com/CNSpaceflight/status/1565241693770682368
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Two astronauts will embark on the first EVA of the Shenzhou-14 mission in the next few hours. The pair will use the new Wentian module airlock for the first time. Astronauts will test the new small robotic arm, conduct evacuation drills and more.
https://twitter.com/AJ_FI/status/1565250729023049729
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The EVA has started at 18:26 (local time I suppose...) So 10:26 UTC
https://twitter.com/wulei2020/status/1565298043330498560
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The EVA has started at 18:26 (local time I suppose...) So 10:26 UTC
https://twitter.com/wulei2020/status/1565298043330498560
Yeah thats hatch open, both were out by 11:09 UTC.
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Estimated duration: 7 hours
https://twitter.com/CCTV_Plus/status/1565319868043300864
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EVA China 5 has been completed
https://twitter.com/conexionspacial/status/1565384976065085440
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Press Relase: (Traslate with Deepl)
Beijing time on September 2, 2022 at 0:33, after about 6 hours out of the cabin activities, Shenzhou XIV astronauts Chen Dong, Liu Yang, Cai Xuzhe close collaboration, the completion of all established tasks during the cabin activities, Chen Dong, Liu Yang has safely returned to ask the sky experiment module, out of the cabin activities have been a complete success.
This is the first time the astronauts from the airlock cabin of the Sky Experiment Module, by the small mechanical arm to assist in the implementation of the cabin activities. Astronauts out of the cabin during the activity, between heaven and earth, close cooperation between the cabin and the outside, has completed the installation of the extended pump group of the Sky Cabin, the Sky Cabin panoramic camera lift, outside the cabin independent emergency return verification tasks, the whole process smoothly and successfully, test the ability of the astronauts and small robotic arm to work together, verify the airlock cabin of the Sky Experiment Module and out of the cabin activities related to the functional performance of the support equipment.
https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/iUD7VHdfmu-aUPUQW9wQpQ
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Start was at 10:26 UTC and end was at 16:33 UTC.
This results 6 hours and 7 minutes.
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Start was at 10:26 UTC and end was at 16:33 UTC.
This results 6 hours and 7 minutes.
True, I counted the time since they went into space, which was 11:09 UTC.
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Shenzhou-14 crew completes 1st spacewalk mission; China's extravehicular tech 'more mature and task-oriented'
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202209/1274466.shtml
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https://youtu.be/0X8DnnUv7t4
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Astronaut CAI Xuzhe takes very good care of his plants in space @TiangongStation..
https://twitter.com/CNAstronauts/status/1565368202447622144
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https://twitter.com/SegerYu/status/1565915032575442944
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Shenzhou-14 astronauts conduct their first spacewalk
https://youtu.be/WMU2e42_8bk
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The small robotic arm on Wentian has passed necessary tests. Next, it will be connected with the big arm on Tianhe for more tests. As shown in the animation below, the combined arm is long enough to reach the new airlock section from Tianhe. Looking forward to seeing it!
https://twitter.com/CNSpaceflight/status/1554716607682752512
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Quick, hide this video from the Flat Earthers, who might use it to show the Earth is flat!
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"Hello, earth"
"Hello, people on earth"
https://twitter.com/CNAstronauts/status/1565932653106278400
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One major problem of this program is there was too much officials talking that only ~15mins out of the more than 2 hours were actually for Taikonauts-African Youths conversations.
On the technical side, @CGTNOfficial used cheap text-to-speech software for part of the audio.
https://twitter.com/CNSpaceflight/status/1567295127047262209
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Shenzhou-14 astronauts conduct their first spacewalk
This is a capture from the video.
I noticed that the feitian's backpacks are signed.
Till now the blue Feitian was weared by Tang Hongbo, Liu Buoming and Chen Dong.
The yellow one by Wang Yaping, Ye Guangfu and Liu Yang.
I don't read Chinese but comparing with the signed envelope that revealed the identities of the second group it seems that we have discovered a new chinese space tradition: the taikonauts sign their Feitians prior their spacewalk.
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The 2nd spacewalk of Shenzhou-14 will happen soon, by CHEN D (suit B), CAI Xuzhe (suit C)
Previously:
SZ12-01: A (LIU B), B (TANG H)
SZ12-02: A (NIE H), B (LIU B)
SZ13-01: A (ZHAI Z), C (WANG Y)
SZ13-02: A (ZHAI Z), C (YE G
SZ-14-01: B (CHEN D), C (LIU Y)
https://twitter.com/CNSpaceflight/status/1568943758821171201
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Astronaut CAI Xuzhe: we're gonna have some space-grown lettuce.
https://twitter.com/CNAstronauts/status/1569184971914620932
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00 days in space for Shenzhou-14 @CNAstronauts! The crew are already preparing their 2nd spacewalk, the official social account of CMSA says.
https://twitter.com/CNSpaceflight/status/1569601635508428801
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Today is 100 days for Shenzhou-14 stay in space,
the Shenzhou-15 might be launched on November 28 if my guess is right!
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Watch the China Space Station "dancing" in space
https://youtu.be/Z8aMIuO1Bxs
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Not far from Shenzhou-14's next EVA..
https://twitter.com/SegerYu/status/1569392314686279680
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https://twitter.com/CNSAWatcher/status/1570294860799696897
☀️Tiangong Space Station (CSS) transiting the Sun on Sept. 12, 2022
vs
Tiangong-1 prototype space station transiting the Sun on June 19, 2012
Credit: https://share.api.weibo.cn/share/335540266,4813008876601530.html?weibo_id=4813008876601530
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#Shenzhou14 taikonauts laud young painters imaginative take on space..
https://twitter.com/CGTNOfficial/status/1570404568571191296
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Confirmed! CHEN Dong and CAI Xuzhe will carry out the next spacewalk.
https://twitter.com/CNSpaceflight/status/1570584616129691648
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Shenzhou-14's 2nd spacewalk will probably start at ~04:00 UTC on Saturday Sep. 17, after passing over the South Atlantic Anomaly.
https://twitter.com/CNSpaceflight/status/1570886870539583493
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https://twitter.com/cnspaceflight/status/1571015275323228167?s=46&t=01lRMW9AJXyL6xEVWAfeNw
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According to the China Manned Space Engineering Office, at 13:35 Beijing time (05:35 UTC) on September 17, 2022, astronaut Cai Xuzhe successfully opened the hatch of the Wentian ECM airlock
https://twitter.com/nkknspace/status/1571063991493066755
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CCTV: astronauts CHEN Dong and CAI Xuzhe in Wentian airlock waiting for the cabin to be repressurized.
https://twitter.com/CNSpaceflight/status/1571082579536912385
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CMSA says in the official release that Shenzhou-14's 2nd spacewalk lasted for ~5 hours instead of 4. Probably, it included the preparation work in the airlock.
https://twitter.com/CNSpaceflight/status/1571081100272996353
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Here comes the footage of astronaut CAI Xuzhe exits Wentian airlock at ~05:35 UTC on Sep. 17. The spacewalk will last for ~6 hours, according to CCTV News.
https://twitter.com/CNSpaceflight/status/1571026955742629889
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The moment of hatch opening from camera on astronaut CAI Xuzhe's space suit..
https://twitter.com/CNSpaceflight/status/1571028316949479427
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India and Sri Lanka in camera of astronaut CHEN Dong's space suit..
https://twitter.com/CNSpaceflight/status/1571076651639009283
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Astronaut CAI Xuzhe returned to Wentian airlock..
https://twitter.com/CNSpaceflight/status/1571075276553203714
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China Space Station: Shenzhou-14 crew completes second spacewalk
https://news.cgtn.com/news/2022-09-17/China-Space-Station-Shenzhou-14-crew-begins-second-spacewalk-1doOB1xqu4M/index.html
China's Shenzhou-14 astronauts, or taikonauts, began their second extravehicular activities (EVAs) on Saturday, according to the China Manned Space Agency (CMS).
Cai Xuzhe, the taikonaut who stayed inside the core module for support during the last EVAs, opened the airlock cabin of the Wentian lab module of the China Space Station at 1:35 p.m. Beijing Time. As of 3:33 p.m., Cai and Cheng Dong of the Shenzhou-14 crew successfully exited the cabin.
At 5:47 p.m., the Shenzhou-14 crew successfully completed the second EVAs, which lasted about five hours, CMS announced.
During the EVAs, the crew carried out operations including installing a foot-stop, which is used for fixing astronauts' feet on the robotic arm, and an assist handle, which can help astronauts open the hatch door from outside in an emergency.
The taikonauts also installed additional pumps, the core equipment of the space station's thermal control system, and carried out the most challenging task of extravehicular rescue for the first time.
EVA duration : 4 hours 12 minutes
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Mission control just congratulated Shenzhou-14 crew for completing their 2nd spacewalk, which was planned for 6 hours but now it's only 4 hours after hatch opening.
https://twitter.com/CNSpaceflight/status/1571071617794703363
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In task 3, astronaut CAI Xuzhe will be the one who "loses consciousness" and CHEN Dong will "rescue" him..
https://twitter.com/CNSpaceflight/status/1571070111347511297
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Before CMSA releasing HD photos of the spacewalk, snapshots from CCTV News..
https://twitter.com/CNSpaceflight/status/1571055610858471424
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Astronaut CHEN Dong in Wentian airlock now and CAI Xuzhe prepares to get off from the robotic arm. According to CCTV, the spacewalk proceeds so well that it's ~1 hour ahead of the schedule..
https://twitter.com/CNSpaceflight/status/1571052638866898944
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In task 3, astronaut CAI Xuzhe will be the one who "loses consciousness" and CHEN Dong will "rescue" him
https://twitter.com/CNSpaceflight/status/1571046159128629249
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CCTV: Wentian robotic arm is sending astronaut CAI Xuzhe to certain position for task 1 operation..
https://twitter.com/CNSpaceflight/status/1571024323116433408
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Waiting for CCTV to announce the 2nd spacewalk of Shenzhou-14, but only heard that CMSA has tested connecting the big and small robotic arm together, which actually happened ~2 weeks ago. The 15m ultra-long robotic arm on #Tiangong.
https://twitter.com/CNSpaceflight/status/1570993866769313793
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China's Shenzhou-14 astronauts complete 2nd spacewalk - See highlights!
https://youtu.be/-EOMuzVpgWs
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Hello, Cyprus! CMSA
https://twitter.com/TiangongStation/status/1572419091578617857
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Envisioned future application of the robotic arms on China Space Station..
https://twitter.com/CNSpaceflight/status/1573095413858828288
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A snapshot of the Tianhe restroom at the end of this simulator tour..
https://twitter.com/CNSpaceflight/status/1573297326449463297
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Day to Night!
https://twitter.com/TiangongStation/status/1573524417556013056
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How to put on a Feitian EVA spacesuit..
https://twitter.com/CNSpaceflight/status/1573555868561383424
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The first 17 countries to join the "Circle of Friends" of China's space station will involve a wide range of research fields. #天宫is ready for docking assembly. The first batch of 17 countries that join #China 's #spacestation will cover a wide range of research. #TianGong is ready for final assembly. #shenzhou14 #tech #aerospace #space #Astronauts #News..
https://twitter.com/Daozhu2Q/status/1575301150298890241
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List of accepted projects:
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Fd1fbC1XoAISN-N?format=png&name=large)
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https://twitter.com/CNSpaceflight/status/1575654582440452097
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This is BIG: Wengtian has been reolated from the axial to the lateral port of Tianhe, realizing the "L-shape" to the Station for the next month or so until Mengtian arrives. The use of the Lyappa-like arm has been confirmed (see attached image). Amazing they appeared to pull it off without too many preparations, having recently completed an EVA.
https://twitter.com/Skyfeather16/status/1575728579077623808 (https://twitter.com/Skyfeather16/status/1575728579077623808)
https://twitter.com/CNSpaceflight/status/1575721762502762496 (https://twitter.com/CNSpaceflight/status/1575721762502762496)https://twitter.com/planet4589/status/1575718650602029056
At 12:44 on the 30th of september 2022, Beijing time, after approximately 1 hour of cooperation between ground and flight, the experimental module Wengtian completed its relocation. During the transposition, the experimental module Wengtian first completed a relevant status configuration and then separated from the Tianhe core module. After that, the module transposition method was employed to complete the relocation, and then the module was reberthed to the lateral port in the core's node. This is the first time China employs this mechanism to complete the relocation of modules at large scale.
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The China Space Station is now in an "L" shape..
https://twitter.com/CNSpaceflight/status/1575715576663580674
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Current configuration of chinese space station
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Isn't this cool? The HD footage of Wentian Laboratory Module relocation!
https://twitter.com/CNSpaceflight/status/1576422911807614978
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Harvest in space. Planting and more experiments conducted by astronauts in Tiangong Space Station (CSS).
https://twitter.com/CNSAWatcher/status/1576809209160949762
https://youtu.be/TNCy6EUEUgI
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Another night view from @TiangongStation. Southeastern China, Taiwan Island and Japan (or lots of fishing boats?)
https://twitter.com/CNSpaceflight/status/1577233782863642624
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New clear photo taken from @TiangongStation. Can you tell where is in it?
https://twitter.com/CNSpaceflight/status/1577175581786972160
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Space-grown tomato..
https://twitter.com/CNSpaceflight/status/1577159851628670976
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In this image of astronaut Liu Yang inside the Wentian module we see the three cabins of the module (on the sides and above) and one of the plants that have recently grown (the flag is because the photo was taken to celebrate the national day of the RPC, which was on October 1)
https://twitter.com/Eurekablog/status/1577039026871488512
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A selection of images taken by the Shenzhou-14 astronauts Chen Dong, Liu Yang and Cai Xuzhe have been released by China's human spaceflight agency.
A few more [CMSA]
https://twitter.com/AJ_FI/status/1577295787658190849
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Cross post
https://twitter.com/CNAstronauts/status/1577170360503394304
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CSS may be approached to within 4.420km (3.31 vertical) by Starlink #48274 on 2022-10-07T20:39:03.382Z.
https://twitter.com/starlink_map/status/1578457787461357570
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Updated schedule of missions to China Space Station in 2022:
Mengtian #CZ5B-Y4 NET OCT.31
Tianzhou-5 #CZ7-Y6 NOV.06
Shenzhou-15 #CZ2F-Y15 NOV.26
https://twitter.com/CNSpaceflight/status/1578751792296271872
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Isn't this cool? The HD footage of Wentian Laboratory Module relocation!
Now THAT's how you relocate a module!
Good show. Points awarded!
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Lunar transit of China Space Station on Oct 9. After Wentian relocation, the asymmetric configuration looks like a copter.
https://twitter.com/mickeywzx/status/1579462133376770051
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Hello, Australia! CMSA/Camera on Tianhe robotic arm's elbow..
https://twitter.com/TiangongStation/status/1579453836401709057
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https://twitter.com/CNSpaceflight/status/1579674096853745665
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Watch Live! Chinese astronauts deliver science lecture from space
https://youtu.be/YJ7vUx8e0HM
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Highlights of the 3rd Tiangong classroom: Astronaut CHEN Dong demonstrating the tennis racket theorem (Dzhanibekov effect)
https://twitter.com/CNSpaceflight/status/1580186006594035713
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Wanna take a quick look at the highlights of the third #TiangongLecture? Here it is !
https://twitter.com/wulei2020/status/1580383905374298112
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Take a look at astronaut Cai Xuzhe's cabin on the Chinese Space Station, it doesn't look bad at all...
https://twitter.com/SpaceNosey/status/1580532553697591296
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Lettuce and wheat grown in space @TiangongStation//
https://twitter.com/TiangongStation/status/1580188587991003137
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https://youtu.be/PFkmxLQRWL4
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https://twitter.com/lordphilip14/status/1582089555724754945
China's Wentian lab module was moved to the "side port of the space station's node cabin," on Sept. 30, 2022. The Tiangong space station is now in an L shape as a result. I stacked "76" images. I imaged on 10-15-22 with a max pass of 77° from my Manorville, NY observatory. :-)
https://twitter.com/lordphilip14/status/1582094903378866178
ISS and CSS True Scale Image before Wentian lab module was moved to the "side port of the Chinese Space Station's Node Cabin," on Sept. 30, 2022. CSS is now in an L shape configuration as a result. Happy to say this image was on cover of Spaceweather. Kind Regards To ALL :-)
https://twitter.com/lordphilip14/status/1582101653964357633
China's Wentian lab module was moved to the "side port of the space station's node cabin," on Sept. 30, 2022. The Tiangong Chinese Space Station is now in an L shape configuration as a result. I imaged on 10-11-22 with a max pass of 87° from my Manorville, NY observatory. :-)
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How it started vs how it's going..
https://twitter.com/CNSpaceflight/status/1582458074572333056
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Hello, north Africa & Sahara!
https://twitter.com/TiangongStation/status/1582897010276909061
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Beautiful Earth seen from above @TiangongStation (C) CMSA
https://twitter.com/CNSpaceflight/status/1583061264753823744
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Completed CSS operation milestones:
2021
Apr. 29 at 3:23 UTC - launch of Tianhe on CZ-5B
May 29 at 12:55 UTC - launch of Tianzhou 2 on CZ-7
May 29 at 21:01 UTC - docking of Tianzhou 2 with aft port of Tianhe (+propellant transfer)
June 17 at 1:22 UTC - launch of Shenzhou 12 [Nie Haisheng, Liu Boming and Tang Hongbo] on CZ-2F/G
June 17 at 7:54 UTC - docking of Shenzhou 12 [Nie, Liu, Tang] with forward port of Tianhe
July 4 at 0:116:57 UTC - spacewalk (EVA-1) from Tianhe airlock (test of new space suits, installation of foot restraints, work platform and exterior panoramic camera, emergency return to airlock training) [Liu, Tang]
Aug. 20 at 0:386:33 UTC spacewalk (EVA-2) from Tianhe airlock (installation of external pump assembly, panoramic camera activation, foot restraints & extravehicular working platform installation on the robotic arm) [Nie, Liu]
Sep. 16 at 0:56 UTC - undocking of Shenzhou 12 from forward port of Tianhe (+rendezvous test at nadir port) [Nie, Liu, Tang]
Sep. 17 at 4:454:485:34 UTC - jettison of OM & deorbit burn & landing of Shenzhou 12 [Nie, Liu, Tang]
Sep. 18 at 2:25~6:25 UTC - undocking of Tianzhou 2 from aft port of Tianhe and docking with forward port of Tianhe (+propellant transfer testing)
Sep. 20 at 7:10 UTC - launch of Tianzhou 3 on CZ-7
Sep. 20 at 14:08 UTC - docking of Tianzhou 3 with aft port of Tianhe
Oct. 15 at 16:23 UTC - launch of Shenzhou 13 on CZ-2F/G [Zhai Zhigang, Wang Yaping, Ye Guangfu]
Oct. 15 at 22:56 UTC - docking of Shenzhou 13 with nadir port of Tianhe [Zhai, Wang, Ye]
Nov. 7 at 10:5117:16 UTC spacewalk (EVA-3) from Tianhe airlock (testing of new spacesuit, installation of robotic arm adapter/end effector) [Zhai, Wang]
Dec. 26 at 10:4416:55 UTC spacewalk (EVA-4) from Tianhe airlock (deployment of external camera platform C, object translation movement testing) [Zhai, Ye]
2022
Jan. 5 at 22:1222:59 UTC - robotic arm relocation testing of Tianzhou 2 (near port side port)
Jan. 7 at 21:5623:55 UTC - undocking & docking of Tianzhou 2 at forward port of Tianhe (manual docking test)
Mar. 27 at 7:59 UTC - undocking of Tianzhou 2 from forward port of Tianhe for EOM
Mar. 31 at 10:40 UTC - reentry of Tianzhou 2 over the South Pacific
Apr. 14 at 16:44 UTC - undocking of Shenzhou 13 from nadir port of Tianhe [Zhai, Wang, Ye]
Apr. 16 at 1:071:09~1:311:56 UTC - jettison of OM & deorbit burn & jettison of PM & landing of Shenzhou 13 [Zhai, Wang, Ye]
Apr. 19 at 21:0201:06 UTC - undocking of Tianzhou 3 from aft port & docking at forward port of Tianhe
May 10 at 17:56 UTC - launch of Tianzhou 4 on CZ-7
May 11 at 0:47 UTC - docking of Tianzhou 4 with aft port of Tianhe
June 5 at 2:44 UTC - launch of Shenzhou 14 on CZ-2F/G [Chen Dong, Liu Yang, Cai Xuzhe]
June 5 at 9:42 UTC - docking of Shenzhou 14 with nadir port of Tianhe [Chen, Liu, Cai]
July 17 at 2:59 UTC - undocking of Tianzhou 3 from forward port of Tianhe for EOM
July 24 at 6:22 UTC - launch of Wentian on CZ-5B
July 24 at 19:0819:13 UTC - (soft/hard) docking of Wentian at forward port of Tianhe
July 27 at 3:31 UTC - reentry of Tianzhou 3 over the South Pacific
Sep. 2 at 10:2616:33 UTC - spacewalk (EVA-5) from Wentian airlock (installation of coolant pump on Wentian, raising a panoramic camera and testing of the small robotic arm) [Chen, Liu]
Sep. 17 at 5:359:47 UTC - spacewalk (EVA-6) from Wentian airlock (installation of foot restraint B and an assisting hatch handle, installation of a circulating pump and demonstration of extravehicular emergency rescue procedures) [Chen, Cai]
Sep. 30 3:454:44 UTC - robotic relocation of Wentian from forward to starboard on Tianhe
Oct. 31 at 7:37 UTC - launch of Mengtian on CZ-5B
October 31 at 20:27 UTC - docking of Mengtian at forward port of Tianhe
Nov. 3 at 0:481:32 UTC - robotic relocation of Mengtian from forward to port on Tianhe
Guesstimated current timeline of upcoming CSS operations:
November - undocking of Tianzhou 4 from aft port of Tianhe for EOM & reentry
November 12 at ~2:20 UTC - launch of Tianzhou 5 on CZ-7
November 12 at ~9:30 - docking of Tianzhou 5 with aft port of Tianhe
Nov. 26 - launch of Shenzhou 15 on CZ-2F/G
Nov. 26 (NET) - docking of Shenzhou 15 with forward port of Tianhe
December - undocking from nadir port & landing of Shenzhou 14 [Chen, Liu, Cai]
April? (NET) - undocking of Tianzhou 5 from aft port of Tianhe for EOM & reentry
Corrections & input welcome!
Edit Oct. 15
Edit Oct. 31
Edit Nov. 2
Edit Nov. 6
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https://youtu.be/hlODFyRzQkw
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Shenzhou-14 astronauts are busy @TiangongStation preparing for the arrival of the last segment of China Space Station: Mengtian Laboratory Module
https://twitter.com/CNSpaceflight/status/1584463859057717248
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Another robot arm (this time intravehicular) for CSS:
https://twitter.com/TiangongStation/status/1585825265732624384
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CSS will look like this for a few weeks in November:
https://twitter.com/Cosmic_Penguin/status/1585849083524419590
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CSS will look like this for a few weeks in November:
Another rendering with the docking of Mengtian with the Tiangong space station taken from here:
https://www.shymkent.info/space/chinese-spaceflight/chinese-space-station-tiangong-and-its-activities/ (https://www.shymkent.info/space/chinese-spaceflight/chinese-space-station-tiangong-and-its-activities/)
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CZ-5B Y2 rocket fairing with outer diameter ⌀4.1 m of Tianhe core module resource module and outer diameter ⌀5.2 m (Photo: 2020-10-19 Gaojian)
https://twitter.com/SegerYu/status/1586495544696143872
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The experiment/unpressurized payload airlock on this:
https://twitter.com/Cosmic_Penguin/status/1586713763063156743
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T -16 hours for the launch of the #Mengtian module , the third of the Chinese Space Station. The module is 17.9m long, 4m wide and has a mass of 23 tons. With his arrival, the first phase of the season will be completed.
https://twitter.com/SpaceNosey/status/1586743105146978305
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Introducing Mengtian Laboratory Module
17.9m long
4m wide
~23 tonnes
~110 m3 pressurized volume
~32 m3 habitable
4 sub-modules: Pressurized, Payloads, Cargo airlock and Service Module not less than 10 years of lifetime and can be extended
https://twitter.com/CNSpaceflight/status/1586706307850981376
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Oh wait, one more very cool thing: micro/nanosats deploying system through the robotic arm.
Mengtian also has 37 standard exposed payload adapters. See the quoted tweet for more info of the research facilities of China Space Station..
https://twitter.com/CNSpaceflight/status/1586716325488971776
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The Advanced Resistive Exercise Device (ARED), which replaced the interim version in 2009, allows intensive workouts for astronauts on ISS. The China Space Station #Tiangong will also have a similar one later this year after the docking of Mengtian module.
https://twitter.com/TiangongStation/status/1495895608829173762
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https://twitter.com/SpaceIntellige3/status/1586855716316405760
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https://twitter.com/cnspaceflight/status/1587005281619234816
So, the relocation of #Mengtian to Port dock of Tianhe is scheduled on NOV.03, according to some Weibo posts
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With Mengtian's successful launch🛰 Docking and relocating underway at the #Tiangong space station and look forward to Tianzhou-5 and Shenzhou-15 (1st Handshake with #Shenzhou14 crew)
https://twitter.com/nkknspace/status/1587001290642497536
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What would you name this? CSS Max Pro? (The additional laboratory modules are missing service modules.)
https://twitter.com/CNSpaceflight/status/1587121004807012352
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China is close to completing an entire space station in a little over 18 months. Could do without the uncontrolled re-entries but it is impressive none the less. First crew rotation is scheduled to happen later this year and its telescope companion is launching next year!
https://twitter.com/Cosmic_Andrew1/status/1587107103033942017
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Mengtian docked with the Tiangong space station at 2027 UTC, according to CMSA.
https://twitter.com/AJ_FI/status/1587188803860578305
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Photo of Tianhe and Wentian assembly, with Shenzhou-14 and Tianzhou-4 docked, taken by #Mengtian Laboratory Module as it was approaching for docking at the forward port.
https://twitter.com/CNSpaceflight/status/1587195910823419904
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Current configuration of @TiangongStation. Relocation of #Mengtian to port side dock is scheduled on November 03.
https://twitter.com/CNSpaceflight/status/1587196855699460096
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Some docking video:
https://twitter.com/cnsawatcher/status/1587308493198991360
Mengtian laboratory cabin module has successfully docked with Tiangong Space Station (CSS) at UTC 20:27, Oct 31. CSS construction is finally near completion. HD:
https://youtu.be/jwqgD06t-j8
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Late-night snacks for a late-night shift
https://twitter.com/CNAstronauts/status/1587316520287248384
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Models of the China Space Station is currently being set up at Zhuhai Airshow. Here we have two photos of the assembly of the real modules in CASC's testing facility.
https://twitter.com/CNSpaceflight/status/1587479818051809281
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Does anyone here know the current status of the backup modules?
If they were going to fly for CSS expansion, how long would it take to make them ready?
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Does mengtian module has a stowed RMS??
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https://youtu.be/XpPsKsjpVPY
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That highlights just how different the CSS relocation arm is from Lyappa: not only is the motion axis different (planar move rather than angled rotation) but the CSS arm entirely skips the extend/retract function of Lyappa:
- Lyappa must grasp a module, wait for the probe to disengage and retract, then move the module away form the docking port, then rotate it to the new position, then move the module back towards the docking port, then the probe is extended and reengaged before docking can complete
- the CSS arm waits for the APAS-like port (does this have an official designation?) to disengage the hard latches then move the module to the standoff distance by extending the soft capture ring. Only then does the arm grasp the module, which then waits for the soft capture ring latches to disengage and the soft capture ring to retract before translating it to the new location. Then, the arm remains stationary whilst the soft capture ring extends and latches, at which point the arm releases the module and the module approaches and hard latches as it would for a free approach.
It eliminates an entire degree of freedom from the arm and uses existing hardware present for docking to perform fine location and translation instead.
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*snip*
the APAS-like port (does this have an official designation?)
*snip*
I have seen several people here state with confidence that the Chinese docking system is IDSS compatible, and several people state with equal confidence that is is not.
I have no idea which is correct.
It's safe to simply call it the Chinese Docking System.
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LIVE: November 03, 2022 UTC 01h00mn
http://w.yangshipin.cn/video?type=2&vid=2017388803&pid=600134538&ptag=4_2.5.2.23195_sina
中国空间站T字基本构型即将完成组装
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CCTV13 LIVE: https://tv.cctv.com/live/cctv13/?spm=C28340.P33mzKYr9
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https://twitter.com/wulei2020/status/1587992308527509504
China Manned Space Agency has announced the country completed the #transposition of #Mengtian lab module at 9:32 a.m. (BJT) on Thursday. Mengtian separated from the combination first, then it rotated and finally re-docked with #Tianhe core module at a permanent position.
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https://twitter.com/segeryu/status/1587995902622695424
Time-lapse video of Mengtian's experimental cabin after indexing: fine adjustment of the robotic arm ~ re-docking completed
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https://youtu.be/D1GX48x7w_s
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https://twitter.com/wulei2020/status/1588086675246182402
Congratulations! Shenzhou14 crew have entered their new home the #Mengtian lab module!
Let's hear what they have to say!
Earlier this morning, the Mengtian completed its rotation and was relocated to the port side of the space station.
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https://twitter.com/segeryu/status/1588069456181628934
Happy new cabin
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China announced the completion of the assembly of the configuration of its orbital station.
China completes basic configuration of its Tiangong space station.
07:52 03.11.2022
BEIJING, November 3 - RIA Novosti. China successfully completed the assembly of the main configuration of its Tiangong space station on Thursday, after the successful re-docking of the Mengtian laboratory module, three compartments of the station formed a T-shaped object in orbit, according to China's manned flight program administration.
"The movement of the Mengtian laboratory module was successfully completed on November 3 at 9:32 a.m. Beijing time (4:32 Moscow time) ... The crew of the Shenzhou-14 ship will enter the Mengtian module in the afternoon," the agency said in a statement.
The module first undocked from the station, after which, using the manipulator, it moved to a certain angle and docked with the side docking port of the Tianhe compartment, the whole process took about one hour.
The move of the Mengtian laboratory module marks the completion of the in-orbit assembly of the basic T-configuration of the Chinese space station.
The launch of the Mengtian module using the Long March-5B carrier rocket took place on October 31 at 15.37 Beijing time (10.37 Moscow time) from the Wenchang Cosmodrome on Hainan Island , approximately 13 hours after launch, the module docked with the main compartment of the station in orbit height of 400-450 kilometers.
The Mengtian module weighs 23 tons, is 17.9 meters long and 4.2 meters in diameter, and has 110 cubic meters of airtight interior space, including 32 cubic meters of living and working space. The equipment installed in the experimental module will be used to study microgravity and conduct experiments in the field of fluid physics, materials science, combustion science and fundamental physics.
The basic configuration of the Tiangong station now consists of the main compartment of the Tianhe and two laboratory modules docked with it, Wentian and Mengtian, the three objects together weigh approximately 69 tons. During further operation, it will be possible to simultaneously dock a maximum of two manned spacecraft (during a crew change) and one cargo ship to the station, and in this case, the entire complex of three modules and three spacecraft will weigh about 90 tons. At the moment, a cargo ship "Tianzhou-4" and a manned "Shenzhou-14" are docked to the station from three compartments.
China began construction of the Tiangong National Orbital Station on April 29, 2021, when the Tianhe main module weighing 22.5 tons, 16.6 meters long and with a maximum diameter of 4.2 meters was successfully launched into orbit. The main module is equipped with two docking stations for experimental compartments, as well as three docking ports for docking manned and cargo ships. In July of this year, the Wentian laboratory module weighing 23.2 tons, 17.9 meters long and 4.2 meters in diameter successfully docked with the station.
The total living space of the station after completion of construction reaches approximately 110 cubic meters, it can simultaneously accommodate three astronauts or six people during a crew change. The designed operational resource of the station is designed for 15 years - until 2038. In addition, at the end of 2023, it is planned to launch the Xuntian Autonomous Astrophysical Module with an optical telescope, which will periodically dock with the station for maintenance.
At the moment, the station is the crew of the manned spacecraft "Shenzhou-14" of three people, who arrived at the "Tiangong" in July. The Shenzhou-14 crew is expected to take part in the first crew rotation at the Chinese orbital station, after which Chen Dong, Liu Yang and Cai Xuzhe will return to Earth in December this year , while the Shenzhou-15 crew will remain in orbit.
https://ria.ru/20221103/kitay-1828852768.html
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https://twitter.com/segeryu/status/1587995902622695424
Time-lapse video of Mengtian's experimental cabin after indexing: fine adjustment of the robotic arm ~ re-docking completed
That's unexpected: the translation arm detached from the core module (remaining attached to Mengtian) rather than vice-versa after completing the translation.
:EDIT:: Unexpected based on visualisations, but looking closely at the approach footage both Mengtian and Wentian possess their own arms:
https://twitter.com/cnsawatcher/status/1587867932188704771
First-person video of Mengtian laboratory cabin module docking with Tiangong Space Station (CSS). Full HD:
https://youtu.be/FQNWeCI3L7o
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The Chinese National Space Laboratory will start operation following the completion of the construction of #Tiangong China Space Station..
https://twitter.com/CNSpaceflight/status/1587997840940314627
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Can some of our Chinese-speaking friends translate what it is written on the screen?
Thank you.
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Core stage reentry might be interesting, but the payload is even more:
Mengtian has been (quickly!) relocated to the side port via the "Lyappa-like" arm and has already been accessed by the crew!
https://twitter.com/SegerYu/status/1588069456181628934 (https://twitter.com/SegerYu/status/1588069456181628934)
This means CSS is now complete, at least in its initial core configuration, as is the third of three major steps in the Chinese manned space program, alongside the recent establishment of permanent habitation with SZ-13/14, and the upcoming SZ-14/15 rotation! Quite a momentous occasion.
CSS will enter full utilization operations now, and possible expansions with the backup units of the primary modules may take place. Of course, there's also the Moon, and the next-generation capsule to replace Shenzhou :)
EDIT: Videos of the relocation: https://twitter.com/SegerYu/status/1588008450990440449
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Can some of our Chinese-speaking friends translate what it is written on the screen?
Thank you.
08:48:05 Docking ring pulling back to initial position
08:48:08 Capture locks locked shut
08:48:09 Docking ring pull back completed
08:48:19 Start of module rotation mechanism motion
09:17:35 Module rotation completed
09:19:50 Soft capture of docking ring
09:19:51 Docking ring moved out to contact position
09:26:06 Module rotation mechanism arm separation completed
All times are UTC+8.
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Watch China's Shenzhou-14 crew enter Mengtian lab in space for 1st time
https://youtu.be/qxqq6pBJubM
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https://twitter.com/segeryu/status/1588219258575945728
The exposure platform was also launched yesterday👆👇
twitter.com/segeryu/status/1576347831837020160
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US Alternative. What gives the world the Chinese space station
08:00 04.11.2022 (updated: 08:15 04.11.2022)
MOSCOW, November 4 - RIA Novosti, Nikolai Guryanov. China has completed its own multi-module orbital station. This makes manned flights into deep space possible. But the project has not only technical and scientific goals. Beijing has received dividends in both domestic and foreign policy.
Chinese "World"
Tiangong (Heavenly Palace) is the second multi-module space station currently in operation. And the only national one - the ISS belongs to several countries.
In April 2021, the Tianhe (Harmony of Heaven) base module was launched into orbit. Then two laboratories were added to it - "Wentian" ("In Search of Heaven") in July and "Mengtian" ("Dreams of Heaven") in November.
In 2023, they plan to launch an autonomous module with the Xuntian (Sky Sentinel) telescope into the same orbit, which can sometimes dock with the station for maintenance.
Tiangong flies around the Earth at an altitude of 400 to 450 kilometers. The orbital inclination is 41.5 degrees. This is slightly lower than that of the ISS (51.6), which makes it possible to better view China from the window of the "palace". Interestingly, such an inclination does not allow launching spacecraft to the station from Russian spaceports - they are located at too high latitudes.
The main advantage of Tiangong over previous space stations is its youth. The computing power of an ordinary modern car has long exceeded that provided by Americans traveling to the moon . If the ISS was created on the technologies of the 90s, then Chinese engineers had the opportunity to use the latest electronics and materials.
At the same time, the conceptually new space object is more similar to the Mir station than to the ISS, notes Andrey Ionin , corresponding member of the Russian Academy of Cosmonautics, chief analyst of the GLONASS non-profit partnership. Tiangong has roughly the same structure as a Soviet orbital outpost and a similar mass.
Three Sky Palace modules weigh 69 tons. Docking with the maximum possible number of ships - two manned and one transport - increases this figure to 90 (the mass of the Mir was more than 100 tons, and the ISS - 420). In the future, the size of the station can be increased with new compartments.
"Tiangun" is designed for the work of three taikonauts (from the Chinese taikun - "space"). They have 110 cubic meters of living space at their disposal. During a shift change, six people can be at the station at the same time.
Unlike the ISS and Mir, the Heavenly Palace will not be "inhabited", but "visited" - that is, the crew is not supposed to stay permanently at the station.
A standard manned mission lasts six months. As shown by the Soviet, Russian, and then international experience of long-term flights, such a period allows a person to be in space continuously without any special health consequences, Ionin explains. The first rotation of the crew on the Tiangong was scheduled for December.
China is going to send two manned spacecraft and two transport vehicles to the station every year.
The warranty period of operation of the object is 15 years, until 2038. It can be extended, but such a design still has a life limit. In this, the Chinese project is similar to the ISS, which has almost exhausted its resource. Interestingly, one of the concepts of the Russian orbital Service Station (ROSS) assumed the replaceability of any of its elements according to the Lego principle, thus, the service life became infinite.
When one economy is not enough
According to Ionin, although the Chinese station does not give the world astronautics anything fundamentally new, it helps the country master critical technologies for space exploration.
To paraphrase Neil Armstrong , this is a small step for all mankind, but a huge step for China, the expert says. The country acquires two main competencies. The first is the creation in space of long-term manned objects capable of existing for decades. This is a kind of skill that theoretically you will not get. They are only achieved through practice. The word "creation" means both development and subsequent operation, the operation of the mission control center, the solution of constantly arising problems, and so on. The second is a set of technologies associated with a person's stay in space for a long time."
They were owned by the Soviet Union before they were created, and then by Russia . The United States entered the ISS project in many ways in order to gain this experience as quickly as possible and first-hand, Ionov points out.
China didn't have that opportunity. Partly because of the attitude towards the independent development of the space industry, partly because of external restrictions. So, in 2011, Congress banned NASA from cooperating with the China National Space Administration (CNSA), cutting off Beijing from American space technology. According to Ionov, the interaction between Russia and China in this area was quite favorable, although "somewhat cautious."
"But it was a theoretical experience. Further space exploration - manned flights to the Moon, Mars , and so on - is impossible without gaining practical skills. You need to learn how to create habitable objects. Make it so that a person can stay in space for a long time, adapt, maintain health, and then undergo post-flight adaptation on Earth. China is following this path: it gains experience that can only be acquired on its own. You cant learn to fight or explore space from textbooks, the expert emphasizes.
The creation of its own station is extremely important for Beijing in a political sense as well.
Chinese society is in a state of self-assertion as a great power, explains sinologist Nikolai Vavilov. - The country's economy has grown more than 50 times over the lifetime of one generation. However, this is not enough for China to acquire the status of a great power in the eyes of its own people. This requires progress in other areas.
One of them was the victory at the Beijing Olympics, where the national team took third place. Achievements in space should be considered in the same row, the expert believes.
The creation of the station, and, what is important, without the help and cooperation with other states, means that China has acquired the highest status in science and high technologies. A similar effect was achieved in the middle of last year, when the construction of the Beidou satellite navigation system was completed," Vavilov notes.
Science: Russia in action
An extensive scientific program is planned for Tiangong. Some of the experiments, in fact, will be a repetition of those that were carried out on Mir and the ISS. Thus, the country will receive its own material and check the reproducibility of experiments (and this is an important aspect of scientific work). But there will also be innovative research. They will touch upon the formation and evolution of the cosmic structure, dark matter and dark energy, exoplanets and stars. We look forward to achieving a number of major discoveries, Hao Chun, head of the China Manned Space Program Office (CMSA), said in April.
One of the brightest events will be the study of combustion under weightless conditions. The fire will be lit in a special sealed chamber located in the Mentian module. The spread of the flame, its extinction and the formation of soot will be monitored using high-speed imaging.
The flagship experiment will be the High Energy Cosmic Ray Detector, or HERD. A device weighing about four tons, developed jointly with European scientists, will be installed on the anti-aircraft (upper) side. With its help, scientists hope to reveal the secret of dark matter.
China emphasizes its openness to the world, inviting other countries and international organizations to cooperate on Tiangong.
"In the development of manned space exploration, China has relied on its own strength, but it has always been facing the world. We look forward to the Chinese space station becoming a space home for all mankind as soon as possible," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said , commenting on the successful launch of the Mengtian module.
Back in 2016, China signed an agreement with the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA), as a result of which nine foreign scientific projects were selected for implementation in the Sky Palace. In addition to European researchers from France , Germany , Italy , the Netherlands , scientists from countries for which space is difficult to access - Mexico , Peru and Kenya will be able to implement their ideas .
Russia is also involved. The Institute of Astronomy of the Russian Academy of Sciences (INASAN), together with Indian colleagues , has developed a spectrograph for the study of nebular gas (SING, Spectroscopic Investigation Of Nebular Gas), which will allow observing planetary nebulae and supernova remnants in the ultraviolet range. It is expected to start operating in 2023. True, there are fears in the Indian media that worsening relations between Beijing and New Delhi amid clashes on the border of the two countries may prevent him. In the meantime, preparations for the study are going according to plan.
According to Vavilov, inviting developing countries to participate in the project also allows Beijing to solve geopolitical problems.
Against the background of developed countries, China's success does not seem so outstanding. Obviously, Beijing is positioning itself as the leader of developing countries. There is a kind of positioning from the opposite - from the United States, which is wreaking havoc, trying to achieve economic privileges in working with third countries, primarily Latin America , Africa . Beijing demonstrates that there is an alternative to the global leader - in space, in culture, in science, in the economy, in sports," the expert believes.
Future: a ship several kilometers long
In recent years, China has made significant progress in space exploration with the help of drones. So, in 2020, the Chang'e-5 apparatus not only successfully landed on the moon, but also brought regolith samples to Earth. In 2021, the first Chinese rover Tianwen-1 (Questions to the Sky) began work. The next step in the independent space program is to land a man on the Moon or Mars. When exactly this will happen, Beijing has not yet said, but preparations are already underway.
With an eye on a manned mission to the Moon, a super-heavy launch vehicle "Changzheng-9" ("Long March") is being developed, which should bring a payload mass of up to 140 tons into low reference orbit (LEO) and up to 50 tons into geostationary orbit (GSO) . The rocket is expected to fly in 2030. The United States , we recall, planned to return to the natural satellite of the Earth in 2025, but these dates may be shifted to the right. And the risk of losing the new lunar race worries Washington .
China also has more ambitious developments. Last summer, the country's National Endowment for Natural Sciences called on scientists to join a five-year project to study the mechanics of an "ultra-large spacecraft several kilometers long." It should become "the main strategic aerospace tool for the future use of space resources and the exploration of the mysteries of the universe."
According to the published plan, the modular spacecraft will need to be launched in parts and assembled already in space.
Approximately $2.3 million was allocated for development. The deadline is in five years. The challenge for researchers is to minimize the weight of the spacecraft in order to reduce construction costs.
It is not yet clear whether this project will be realized, and if so, after what time. However, the pace of development of the Chinese space program gives hope that in the foreseeable future, people will have a real chance to fly to other planets.
https://ria.ru/20221104/kosmos-1829008297.html
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Solar transit of the fully assembled and "H"-shaped China Space Station!
https://twitter.com/CNSpaceflight/status/1588422680608641024
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The exposed payloads platform on Mengtian was flipped at 07:19:11UTC on NOV.03
https://twitter.com/CNSpaceflight/status/1588336422414848000
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A better video of the module movement:
https://twitter.com/Cosmic_Penguin/status/1588491647427674112
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China Space Station transit sun. H or T? Or TIE?
https://twitter.com/mickeywzx/status/1588459901336006657
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https://twitter.com/SegerYu/status/1588945758023483393
The T configuration is completed, and the Hall electric propulsion will start to assist the orbit maintenance of the space station~
At the time of launch, only two 12 L small Xe gas cylinders were carried in the resource module. The previous ignition verification of the thruster and the active potential control of the space station used Xe from these two gas cylinders.
Therefore, these two replaceable 75 L large cylinders need to be installed before starting long-term ignition. The robotic arm can complete the automatic installation, and the astronaut EVA acts as a backup.
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https://twitter.com/cosmic_penguin/status/1589136968667262976
First shot of the CSS I have seen that clearly shows the T-structure and solar panels post-completion 3 days ago:
twitter.com/estyvkkkfxbmphp/status/1589080942890848256
Whoa! Shooting success! The CSS that penetrates the clouds is cool! 2022.11.06 Around 10:33 AM, this is a video of the CSS China Space Station tracked in the daytime. Actually, it is flying far above the clouds, but the feeling of penetrating the clouds is a new feeling that is not found in normal astrophotography 🛰🔭📷🐻
#CSS #ISS #中国宇宙ステーション
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https://twitter.com/wulei2020/status/1589271847753113602
A 1:1 duplicate of #ChinaSpaceStation will appear on 14th International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, which is to kick off in #Zhuhai, south #China's #Guangdong Province on Nov. 8th.
My colleagues are there and have taken a closer look of it.
(Credit: Lyu Lingyu/CASC)
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Astronaut LIU Yang congratulates the 10th anniversary of School of Social Sciences of @Tsinghua_Uni in front of the large square hatch in Mengtian Laboratory Module..
https://twitter.com/CNAstronauts/status/1589193184504340482
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Life-size Chinese space station replica unveiled at Zhuhai Airshow 2022:
https://youtu.be/f_0o86nstD0
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Does mengtian module has a stowed RMS??
its just an arm inside one mengtian's experiment cabinet https://twitter.com/shujianyang/status/1589853779251167232
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https://youtu.be/ipiKL9BAL-g
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Undocking of cargo capsule #Tianzhou4 from #Tiangong space station. It brought supplies for the later arriving #Shenzhou14 crew in May.
https://twitter.com/SpaceIntellige3/status/1590283150697304064
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CASC is designing heat shield for Tianzhou cargo spacecraft to make it reusable, a Weibo account associated to a CASC personnel says https://weibo.com/1971177973/MecMYpNwa
As Tianzhou-5 arrived at the launch pad, Tianzhou-4 is undocking from Tianhe Core Module soon.
https://twitter.com/CNSpaceflight/status/1590188685471145984
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https://twitter.com/byspto/status/1589319110068162560
Latest @CNSpaceStation after Mengtian relocation.
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Wentian Laboratory Module is occupied by cargo bags after the departure of Tianzhou-4. AND, it's decorated by some greens ..
https://twitter.com/TiangongStation/status/1590587951280697344
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Shenzhou-14 astronauts will have their 3rd spacewalk before return to earth. Probably, LIU Yang (suit C?) and CAI Xuzhe (suit B?) to carry out the extravehicular activity, so everyone gets two chances
https://twitter.com/CNSpaceflight/status/1590602012848451584
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https://twitter.com/aj_fi/status/1590679730021625856
Click the link to take a look at the CASC exhibition at Zhuhai Airshow, including the new reusable Long March 9 model, life size replica of Tiangong space station and on-orbit servicing satellite
https://www.720yun.com/t/76vk6w8hs17#scene_id=102756498
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Vernier shutdown and stage 2 separation - nice view of the aft end of the cargo ship as it floats away in orbit.
Will dock to the aft port of the Tianhe module, probably tomorrow
https://twitter.com/planet4589/status/1591253212346155010
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Tianzhou-5 docking:
https://youtu.be/gilCwOIFfJc
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China's Tianzhou-5 space truck sets world record.
Tianzhou 5 sets record by docking with Tiangong two hours after launch.
10:02 12.11.2022
BEIJING, November 12 - RIA Novosti. China's Tianzhou-5 cargo spacecraft set a world record on Saturday by docking with the orbital station just over two hours after being launched from the spaceport, China's manned flight program administration said.
The carrier rocket "Changzheng-7-Y6" with the cargo spacecraft "Tianzhou-5" was launched from the Wenchang Cosmodrome on Hainan Island on November 12, 2022 at 10.03 Beijing time (5.03 Moscow time), and already at 12.10 Beijing time (7.10 Moscow time). ) the truck docked with the rear port of the Tianhe main module of the Tiangong space station.
"This mission was the first to achieve autonomous rapid rendezvous and docking in two hours, setting a world record," the agency said in a statement.
It is noted that this technological breakthrough is of great importance for increasing the level of docking in orbit of Chinese spacecraft, as well as for improving the capacity of supplying the space station in emergency situations.
Thanks to the optimization of the rendezvous and docking control strategy, Tianzhou-5 docked with the station almost three times faster than Tianzhou-4 sent to Tiangong in May, then about 6.5 hours passed from launch to completion of docking.
The truck delivered to the station consumables, fuel and equipment necessary for a six-month stay and work in orbit for three astronauts from the Shenzhou-15 spacecraft, who are due to go to the station before the end of the year.
China began construction of the Tiangong National Orbital Station on April 29, 2021, when the Tianhe main module was successfully launched into orbit, the assembly of the station's main configuration was completed on November 3, 2022. The basic configuration of the Tiangong T-shaped station now consists of the main compartment of the Tianhe and two laboratory modules docked with it, Wentian and Mengtian, the three objects together weigh approximately 69 tons.
The total living space of the station reaches approximately 110 cubic meters, it can simultaneously accommodate three astronauts or six people during a crew change. The designed operational resource of the station is designed for 15 years - until 2038. In addition, at the end of 2023, it is planned to launch the Xuntian Autonomous Astrophysical Module with an optical telescope, which will periodically dock with the station for maintenance.
At the moment, the station has a crew of three manned spacecraft Shenzhou-14, which arrived at the Tiangong in July, this is the third crew on board the Chinese orbital station. The Shenzhou 14 crew is expected to take part in the first crew rotation at the Chinese orbital station, after which crew commander Chen Dong, China's first female astronaut Liu Yang, and Cai Xuzhe, making his first space flight, will return to Earth in December this year. , and the crew of the Shenzhou-15 spacecraft will remain in orbit.
https://ria.ru/20221112/kosmos-1831007255.html
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https://twitter.com/SpaceIntellige3/status/1591480113866379265
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Completed CSS operation milestones:
2021
Apr. 29 at 3:23 UTC - launch of Tianhe on CZ-5B
May 29 at 12:55 UTC - launch of Tianzhou 2 on CZ-7
May 29 at 21:01 UTC - docking of Tianzhou 2 with aft port of Tianhe (+propellant transfer)
June 17 at 1:22 UTC - launch of Shenzhou 12 [Nie Haisheng, Liu Boming and Tang Hongbo] on CZ-2F/G
June 17 at 7:54 UTC - docking of Shenzhou 12 [Nie, Liu, Tang] with forward port of Tianhe
July 4 at 0:116:57 UTC - spacewalk (EVA-1) from Tianhe airlock (test of new space suits, installation of foot restraints, work platform and exterior panoramic camera, emergency return to airlock training) [Liu, Tang]
Aug. 20 at 0:386:33 UTC spacewalk (EVA-2) from Tianhe airlock (installation of external pump assembly, panoramic camera activation, foot restraints & extravehicular working platform installation on the robotic arm) [Nie, Liu]
Sep. 16 at 0:56 UTC - undocking of Shenzhou 12 from forward port of Tianhe (+rendezvous test at nadir port) [Nie, Liu, Tang]
Sep. 17 at 4:454:485:34 UTC - jettison of OM & deorbit burn & landing of Shenzhou 12 [Nie, Liu, Tang]
Sep. 18 at 2:25~6:25 UTC - undocking of Tianzhou 2 from aft port of Tianhe and docking with forward port of Tianhe (+propellant transfer testing)
Sep. 20 at 7:10 UTC - launch of Tianzhou 3 on CZ-7
Sep. 20 at 14:08 UTC - docking of Tianzhou 3 with aft port of Tianhe
Oct. 15 at 16:23 UTC - launch of Shenzhou 13 on CZ-2F/G [Zhai Zhigang, Wang Yaping, Ye Guangfu]
Oct. 15 at 22:56 UTC - docking of Shenzhou 13 with nadir port of Tianhe [Zhai, Wang, Ye]
Nov. 7 at 10:5117:16 UTC spacewalk (EVA-3) from Tianhe airlock (testing of new spacesuit, installation of robotic arm adapter/end effector) [Zhai, Wang]
Dec. 26 at 10:4416:55 UTC spacewalk (EVA-4) from Tianhe airlock (deployment of external camera platform C, object translation movement testing) [Zhai, Ye]
2022
Jan. 5 at 22:1222:59 UTC - robotic arm relocation testing of Tianzhou 2 (near port side port)
Jan. 7 at 21:5623:55 UTC - undocking & docking of Tianzhou 2 at forward port of Tianhe (manual docking test)
Mar. 27 at 7:59 UTC - undocking of Tianzhou 2 from forward port of Tianhe for EOM
Mar. 31 at 10:40 UTC - reentry of Tianzhou 2 over the South Pacific
Apr. 14 at 16:44 UTC - undocking of Shenzhou 13 from nadir port of Tianhe [Zhai, Wang, Ye]
Apr. 16 at 1:071:09~1:311:56 UTC - jettison of OM & deorbit burn & jettison of PM & landing of Shenzhou 13 [Zhai, Wang, Ye]
Apr. 19 at 21:0201:06 UTC - undocking of Tianzhou 3 from aft port & docking at forward port of Tianhe
May 10 at 17:56 UTC - launch of Tianzhou 4 on CZ-7
May 11 at 0:47 UTC - docking of Tianzhou 4 with aft port of Tianhe
June 5 at 2:44 UTC - launch of Shenzhou 14 on CZ-2F/G [Chen Dong, Liu Yang, Cai Xuzhe]
June 5 at 9:42 UTC - docking of Shenzhou 14 with nadir port of Tianhe [Chen, Liu, Cai]
July 17 at 2:59 UTC - undocking of Tianzhou 3 from forward port of Tianhe for EOM
July 24 at 6:22 UTC - launch of Wentian on CZ-5B
July 24 at 19:0819:13 UTC - (soft/hard) docking of Wentian at forward port of Tianhe
July 27 at 3:31 UTC - reentry of Tianzhou 3 over the South Pacific
Sep. 2 at 10:2616:33 UTC - spacewalk (EVA-5) from Wentian airlock (installation of coolant pump on Wentian, raising a panoramic camera and testing of the small robotic arm) [Chen, Liu]
Sep. 17 at 5:359:47 UTC - spacewalk (EVA-6) from Wentian airlock (installation of foot restraint B and an assisting hatch handle, installation of a circulating pump and demonstration of extravehicular emergency rescue procedures) [Chen, Cai]
Sep. 30 3:454:44 UTC - robotic relocation of Wentian from forward to starboard on Tianhe
Oct. 31 at 7:37 UTC - launch of Mengtian on CZ-5B
October 31 at 20:27 UTC - docking of Mengtian at forward port of Tianhe
Nov. 3 at 0:481:32 UTC - robotic relocation of Mengtian from forward to port on Tianhe
Nov. 9 at 6:55 UTC - undocking of Tianzhou 4 from aft port of Tianhe for EOM
Nov. 12 at 2:03 UTC - launch of Tianzhou 5 on CZ-7
Nov. 12 at 4:10 UTC - docking of Tianzhou 5 with aft port of Tianhe
Nov. 13 at 22:02 UTC - deployment of CubeSat Zhixing 3A (智星三号A, SmartSAT 3A) from Tianzhou 4
Nov. 14 23:21 UTC - Reentry of Tianzhou 4
Nov. 17 at 3:168:50 UTC - spacewalk (EVA-7) from Wentian airlock (installing an inter-module connecting device (handrail) and raising the Wentian panoramic camera A) [Chen, Cai]
Guesstimated current timeline of upcoming CSS operations:
Nov. 29 at ~3:18 UTC - launch of Shenzhou 15 on CZ-2F/G
Nov. 29 - docking of Shenzhou 15 with forward port of Tianhe
Dec. 15 (NET) - deployment of CubeSat CAS 10 (XW-4) from Mengtian airlock
December - undocking from nadir port & landing of Shenzhou 14 [Chen, Liu, Cai]
April? (NET) - undocking of Tianzhou 5 from aft port of Tianhe for EOM & reentry
Corrections & input welcome!
Edit Nov. 12
Edit Nov. 14
Edit Nov. 17
Edit Nov. 25
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https://twitter.com/cnsawatcher/status/1591666172248076289
Growth of Tiangong Space Station (CSS) by Phillip Smith @lordphilip14
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Can someone explain when this photo was taken and (more importantly) with what?
Per the timeline posted above:
Oct. 31 at 7:37 UTC - launch of Mengtian on CZ-5B
October 31 at 20:27 UTC - docking of Mengtian at forward port of Tianhe
Nov. 3 at 0:481:32 UTC - robotic relocation of Mengtian from forward to port on Tianhe
Nov. 9 at 6:55 UTC - undocking of Tianzhou 4 from aft port of Tianhe for EOM
But this photo shows Mengtian on the forward port with Tianzhou 4 attached aft, which means 10/31 - 11/3. So it had to be a small sat or something?
https://twitter.com/wulei2020/status/1591709797992497152?t=tLDdTQRM_Pc9QIyMI98w0A&s=19
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Can someone explain when this photo was taken and (more importantly) with what?
Per the timeline posted above:
Oct. 31 at 7:37 UTC - launch of Mengtian on CZ-5B
October 31 at 20:27 UTC - docking of Mengtian at forward port of Tianhe
Nov. 3 at 0:481:32 UTC - robotic relocation of Mengtian from forward to port on Tianhe
Nov. 9 at 6:55 UTC - undocking of Tianzhou 4 from aft port of Tianhe for EOM
But this photo shows Mengtian on the forward port with Tianzhou 4 attached aft, which means 10/31 - 11/3. So it had to be a small sat or something?
https://twitter.com/wulei2020/status/1591709797992497152?t=tLDdTQRM_Pc9QIyMI98w0A&s=19
Isn't this a computer graphics model?
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https://twitter.com/segeryu/status/1591813572501594113
Shenzhou-14 recently had an extravehicular activity.
There are a lot of things in the cabin ~~~ 😵
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Can someone explain when this photo was taken and (more importantly) with what?
Per the timeline posted above:
Oct. 31 at 7:37 UTC - launch of Mengtian on CZ-5B
October 31 at 20:27 UTC - docking of Mengtian at forward port of Tianhe
Nov. 3 at 0:481:32 UTC - robotic relocation of Mengtian from forward to port on Tianhe
Nov. 9 at 6:55 UTC - undocking of Tianzhou 4 from aft port of Tianhe for EOM
But this photo shows Mengtian on the forward port with Tianzhou 4 attached aft, which means 10/31 - 11/3. So it had to be a small sat or something?
https://twitter.com/wulei2020/status/1591709797992497152?t=tLDdTQRM_Pc9QIyMI98w0A&s=19
Isn't this a computer graphics model?
Maybe. Looks pretty real to me, but that's the simplest answer. Do I have to turn in my millennial card if I can't tell between a rendering and a photo? :)
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Hatch opened at 0618UTC. Shenzhou-14 astronauts entered #Tianzhou5 at 0703UTC
https://twitter.com/CNSpaceflight/status/1591812596742909952
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On the right in this photo, two robotic arms of @TiangongStation connected to form a 15m-long arm..
https://twitter.com/CNSpaceflight/status/1591815001517744131
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External payloads on #Tianzhou5
High-energy particle detector (the one with cylindrical segment)
Hydrogen-Oxygen fuel cell to support future lunar crewed missions (the two blocks that are connected by cables)
Macau cubesat (to be deployed probably before reentry)?
https://twitter.com/CNSpaceflight/status/1591826458460422146
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It turns out the new resistive exercise device in Mengtian Laboratory Module is a rowing machine. Astronaut LIU Yang had a first try.
https://twitter.com/CNSpaceflight/status/1592157242266365955
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Watch Shenzhou-14 astronauts unpacking and setting up Mengtian Laboratory Module.
https://twitter.com/TiangongStation/status/1592158901599760385
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Can someone explain when this photo was taken and (more importantly) with what?
Per the timeline posted above:
Oct. 31 at 7:37 UTC - launch of Mengtian on CZ-5B
October 31 at 20:27 UTC - docking of Mengtian at forward port of Tianhe
Nov. 3 at 0:481:32 UTC - robotic relocation of Mengtian from forward to port on Tianhe
Nov. 9 at 6:55 UTC - undocking of Tianzhou 4 from aft port of Tianhe for EOM
But this photo shows Mengtian on the forward port with Tianzhou 4 attached aft, which means 10/31 - 11/3. So it had to be a small sat or something?
https://twitter.com/wulei2020/status/1591709797992497152?t=tLDdTQRM_Pc9QIyMI98w0A&s=19
Isn't this a computer graphics model?
Maybe. Looks pretty real to me, but that's the simplest answer. Do I have to turn in my millennial card if I can't tell between a rendering and a photo? :)
If the photo is real it potentially was taken by a CubeSat deployed from Mengtian airlock?
https://twitter.com/LucLucreation/status/1591057693296721920
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Can someone explain when this photo was taken and (more importantly) with what?
Per the timeline posted above:
Oct. 31 at 7:37 UTC - launch of Mengtian on CZ-5B
October 31 at 20:27 UTC - docking of Mengtian at forward port of Tianhe
Nov. 3 at 0:481:32 UTC - robotic relocation of Mengtian from forward to port on Tianhe
Nov. 9 at 6:55 UTC - undocking of Tianzhou 4 from aft port of Tianhe for EOM
But this photo shows Mengtian on the forward port with Tianzhou 4 attached aft, which means 10/31 - 11/3. So it had to be a small sat or something?
https://twitter.com/wulei2020/status/1591709797992497152?t=tLDdTQRM_Pc9QIyMI98w0A&s=19
Isn't this a computer graphics model?
Maybe. Looks pretty real to me, but that's the simplest answer. Do I have to turn in my millennial card if I can't tell between a rendering and a photo? :)
If the photo is real it potentially was taken by a CubeSat deployed from Mengtian airlock?
https://twitter.com/LucLucreation/status/1591057693296721920
Contrast between light and shadows isn't enough. This is CGI in my opinion.
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CSS may be approached to within 7.272km (1.67 vertical) by Starlink #51967 on 2022-11-15T13:04:27.724Z.
https://twitter.com/starlink_map/status/1592409431622328321
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Lunar transit of "T"-shaped China Space Station..
https://twitter.com/CNSpaceflight/status/1592681893006544896
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https://twitter.com/chinascience/status/1592714074286006272
China's #Shenzhou14 crew has finished the package arrangement and equipment installation works in the Mengtian space lab of #Tiangong space station. They also got a new rowing machine in the module for work out. See how their wonderful space life went!
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https://twitter.com/wulei2020/status/1592834301594578946
Whats the latest on the Chinese space station?
To answer that, lets take a look at our special #TiangongTVseries.
#ChinaSpaceStation
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It seems Shenzhou-14 astronauts will carry out their third spacewalk today. Ground track of @TiangongStation shows it will leave the South Atlantic Anomaly at ~00:50UTC T-1 hour
https://twitter.com/CNSpaceflight/status/1593029333718683650
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No updates yet. The next pass will be ~02:30UTC
https://twitter.com/CNSpaceflight/status/1593060160519671809
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And they are out:
https://twitter.com/cnspaceflight/status/1593082551245365248
https://twitter.com/cnspaceflight/status/1593084626217885696
https://twitter.com/cnspaceflight/status/1593085147783778305
https://twitter.com/cnspaceflight/status/1593086554574303233
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https://twitter.com/cnspaceflight/status/1593088504170696704
Wentian airlock was opened at ~03:16UTC.
Major tasks of ~6.5-hour EVA include
▶️install inter-module connecting device
▶️raise Wentian panoramic camera A
▶️...
twitter.com/cnspaceflight/status/1593090344656457729
CMSA just released the first non-HD footage of Shenzhou-14's 3rd spacewalk.
Astronaut CHEN Dong opened the hatch.
https://twitter.com/cnspaceflight/status/1593096232867573760
Astronaut CHEN Dong already on the robotic arm.
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https://twitter.com/cnspaceflight/status/1593096473440575489
Robotic arm in action. First-person view
twitter.com/cnspaceflight/status/1593097232152399873
Astronaut CAI Xuzhe (in yellow spacesuit C) just exited Wentian EVA airlock. He will climb along handrails
https://twitter.com/cnspaceflight/status/1593104653465825280
Superb view of the 15m-long robotic arm with poor resolution. Do you like it?
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https://twitter.com/cnspaceflight/status/1593107855854678016
Hi there!
twitter.com/cnspaceflight/status/1593111024450035712
Cool!
https://twitter.com/cnspaceflight/status/1593111452297986048
The earth is beautiful. The space station is beautiful!
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twitter.com/cnspaceflight/status/1593111997222391808
What a beautiful scene! One astronaut on a long robotic arm. Another climbing on a 20t space station module. All with the blue marble as the backdrop.
https://twitter.com/cnspaceflight/status/1593112516514938881
The 15m-long robotic arm
twitter.com/cnspaceflight/status/1593113028983414784
More of the 1m-long robotic arm of China Space Station
https://twitter.com/cnspaceflight/status/1593113918880518144
This long piece is the inter-module connecting device
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twitter.com/cnspaceflight/status/1593114572155600896
Astronaut CHEN Dong and CAI Xuzhe working on the inter-module connecting device
https://twitter.com/cnspaceflight/status/1593129598136774657
The connection device between Wentian and Tianhe has been installed. Now working on the one between Mengtian and Tianhe. These long pieces with handrails are to establish passage for astronauts to climb along in future spacewalks.
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https://twitter.com/wulei2020/status/1593097148476059648
Look, #Shenzhou14 crew are now carrying out their third #EVAs!
At 11:16 a.m. Beijing time Thursday, the airlock cabins door was opened. Chen Dong is the first to go,and he is followed by Cai Xuzhe, while Liu Yang is staying inside the module for coordination work.
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https://twitter.com/cnspaceflight/status/1593130813901918212
Installation of Mengtian-Tianhe connecting device completed. Now astronauts will return to Wentian Laboratory to raise a camera.
twitter.com/cnspaceflight/status/1593133845553254403
Introduction of the inter-module bridge, which measures 2.6m long and weighs ~15kg.
(the photographer chose a perfect angle so that most part of the device is covered by the chyron)
https://twitter.com/cnspaceflight/status/1593134392339488770
Oh, it seems the one between Wentian and Tianhe is 3.2m long and the other one between Mengtian and Tianhe is 2.6m long.
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https://twitter.com/cosmic_penguin/status/1593167629820497921
The first dozen minutes of the EVA:
https://youtu.be/CwewKGYsLbE
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https://twitter.com/wulei2020/status/1593175989550743552
Well done!
After about 5 hours and a half, #Shenzhou14 crew members concluded their #EVAs at 16:50 (Beijing Time) on Thursday, with all tasks completed! Chen Dong and Cai Xuzhe have returned to the Wentian lab module.
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Space Log: Shenzhou-14 crew finishes third spacewalk
https://news.cgtn.com/news/2022-11-17/China-Space-Station-Shenzhou-14-crew-begins-third-spacewalk-1f1K3LRtwxW/index.html
China's Shenzhou-14 astronauts, or taikonauts, completed their third round of extravehicular activities (EVAs) on Thursday, according to the China Manned Space Agency.
It was the first round of EVAs for the crew after the assembly of the station's basic T-shape configuration.
Taikonauts Chen Dong and Cai Xuzhe exited the cabin, and Liu Yang stayed inside the cabin for support. The EVAs lasted around 5.5 hours.
During the EVAs, the two taikonauts outside the cabin worked together and installed a connection "bridge" between the three modules that could assist taikonauts with crawling outside the module and better stabilize the station's T-shaped structure.
Cai, who only had his first space walk in September, tried the first cross-module walk using this bridge.
The taikonauts also lifted a panoramic camera outside the Wentian lab module and added a handle on the small robotic arm.
This is the seventh round of EVAs at China's space station.
The Shenzhou-14 taikonauts successfully completed their first two rounds of EVAs in September, both from the airlock cabin of the Wentian lab module. The first EVAs lasted about seven hours, and the second lasted about five hours.
The three Shenzhou-14 crew members were sent into space in June on a record-breaking six-month mission.
As planned, the Shenzhou-14 crew will welcome the arrival of the Shenzhou-15 manned spacecraft at the space station later this month. The Shenzhou-15 crew members will join the Shenzhou-14 taikonauts for the space station's first-ever crew handover.
EVA Started at 11:16 Beijing time (UTC+8)
End at 16:50 Beijing time
Chen: Blue Stripes spacesuit
Cai: Yellow Stripes spacesuit
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Wait so CSS has TWO RMSs? I'd missed Wengtian carried one. But they can combine to create a *15-m-long* arm?!
That's... excellent. Probably going to need it for the SAWs relocation from Tianhe to the extremities of Mengtian and Wengtian?
https://twitter.com/AJ_FI/status/1593189842024026113 (https://twitter.com/AJ_FI/status/1593189842024026113)
https://twitter.com/SegerYu/status/1593189728559718400
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https://twitter.com/wulei2020/status/1593269084774629376
During todays EVAs, Shenzhou14 crew members sent out a birthday greeting. Who is so lucky to be named?
He is #WangYongzhi, the first chief designer of China's manned spaceflight project.
In 14 years, he has led many projects including 4 unmanned test flights .
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https://twitter.com/cnsawatcher/status/1593498299918880768
Successful 3rd EVA spacewalk of Shenzhou-14 crews at Tiangong Space Station (CSS). Astronauts Chen Dong and Cai Xuzhe finished cabin connection device installation and panorama camera lifting tasks. Full HD:
https://youtu.be/NFRXJ24wu7o
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Bohai Bay
https://twitter.com/TiangongStation/status/1593898757568925722
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The inter-module handrail bridges installed on China Space Station
https://twitter.com/CNSpaceflight/status/1593948454169870337
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[Must-watch] Thanks to the 15m long robotic arm by connecting the 10m Tianhe arm & 5m Wentian arm, we're able to have a close look of the 3-module assembly of China Space Station with two spacecrafts (Shenzhou-14 and Tianzhou-5), from astronaut CHEN Dong's perspective.
https://twitter.com/CNSpaceflight/status/1593932653723385857
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In this clip, it feels like behind the wheels of a semi with wide-open field of view, instead of a small car. And, earth/ocean is beautiful as usual
https://twitter.com/CNSpaceflight/status/1593935800411992064
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The robotic arm on its way to pick up astronaut CHEN Dong, at the beginning of the spacewalk.
https://twitter.com/CNSpaceflight/status/1593938284379484160
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https://twitter.com/wulei2020/status/1594229649525329920
Happy Weekends from China Space Station. A small mirror was found on taikonauts spacesuit.
Photos from Shenzhou 14 spacewalk.
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https://twitter.com/cnsawatcher/status/1594216038232518656
Spectacular! Tiangong Space Station (CSS) viewed from outside by EVA spacewalking Shenzhou-14 astronauts. Full HD:
https://youtu.be/kta2SBO998M
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Heavenly Palace..
https://twitter.com/SegerYu/status/1594393822351720449
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14-DoF combined robotic arm time-sharing independent control: Large robotic arm lock, small robotic arm control, small robotic arm control in place..
Small robotic arm lock, large robotic arm control, large robotic arm control in place
Large robotic arm lock, small robotic arm control , the control of the small robotic arm is in place
(Video playback at 10x speed)
https://twitter.com/SegerYu/status/1594707656388005889
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https://twitter.com/aj_fi/status/1595051849933094914
China will send the first of its third generation of astronauts to Tiangong in 2023, according to Yang Liwei, deputy chief designer of China's human spaceflight program.
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Three-prong socket wrench..
The quill shaft of the "flip" wrench during rotation of the T-wrench is the intermediate shaft The handle shaft of the wrench is the intermediate shaft..
https://twitter.com/SegerYu/status/1595070546861240320
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https://twitter.com/webnazar/status/1595009914807767042
Congratulations! Chinese #taikonaut Chen Dong, commander of the #Shenzhou14 mission, has stayed in orbit for 200 days, becoming the first Chinese astronaut to achieve such a record.
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YANG Hong, chief designer of China's space station system: we will demonstrate technologies for space solar power station on
@TiangongStation, contributing to the goal of carbon neutral in 2060.
Plan:
On-orbit assembly with assistance of the robotic arm -> orbit raise by electric
https://twitter.com/CNSpaceflight/status/1595134353524535296
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https://twitter.com/cnsawatcher/status/1595303135395840001
Tiangong Space Station (CSS) & International Space Station (ISS) side by side. Photos by @lordphilip14
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Timeline of 6U-cubesat Zhixing-3A (all UTC):
5/10 17:56 launch with Tianzhou-4
11/13 21:00 deployer getting ready
11/13 22:02 deployment from Tianzhou-4
11/13 22:08:33 first command uplinked from Azerbaijan
11/13 22:14:54 first downlink in Xinjiang
https://twitter.com/CNSpaceflight/status/1596706257288630273
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Countdown to return of Shenzhen-14 crew: about 10 days. In the past 6 months: single-cabin space station → three-cabin complex 4 days later, Chen Dong, Liu Yang, and Cai Xuzhe will welcome the Shenzhou-15 crew to join.
https://twitter.com/SegerYu/status/1596485585988091905
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All three EVA spacesuits in Wentian airlock
https://twitter.com/CNSpaceflight/status/1597011004474679296
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twitter.com/cnspaceflight/status/1597089737315348480
CMSA: starting next year, payloads of 9 international research projects, in collaboration with United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs @UNOOSA & European Space Agency @esa and involving 16 countries🇨🇭🇵🇱🇩🇪🇮🇳🇷🇺🇧🇪🇯🇵🇳🇴🇫🇷🇳🇱🇵🇪🇪🇸🇲🇽🇸🇦🇮🇹🇰🇪, will be brought to the China Space Station
https://twitter.com/cnspaceflight/status/1597091142793072640
And, for project No.5 #tumorsinspace, please follow @TricLarose for latest updates. She is already taking spaceflight trainings.
twitter.com/justbekwas/status/1596564174444064769
Heres a glimpse of my time in microgravity. The slightest touch is all it takes to move, but watch out for the transition back to hyper gravity!
#microgravity #parabolic
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twitter.com/planet4589/status/1597022023045320706
Reviewing China's recent filing with the UN space register, ST/SG/SER.E/1033, I note that they separately register the Tianhe module 天和 and the 'Chinese space station complex', 中国空间站组合体 (Zhongguo kongjianzhan zuhe ti).
https://twitter.com/planet4589/status/1597022285277253632
I further note that they don't refer to it as 'Tiangong' in this document, or in other recent Chinese-language offical reports. I suspect that 'Tiangong' as a name for the current station has gone the way of 'Alpha' for ISS.
twitter.com/snowlotusflame/status/1597024961197002752
The official WeChat account of CASC still refers to CSS as "Tiangong" in the draft. "Tiangong" is a very classic name. It means "Heavenly Palace" in Chinese, which means the place where gods lived in ancient Chinese mythology
https://twitter.com/planet4589/status/1597026191675981825
Interesting. It would be good to know if they actually use 'Tiangong' in radio communications with the crew on the station, or only in public relations
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Today 6 Chinese astronauts will meet in their Space Station. With the arrival of the crew of the Shenzhou-15 mission, this record of Chinese astronauts in space will be broken.
https://twitter.com/SpaceNosey/status/1597533326411079680
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#Shenzhou15 and Shenzhou-14 astronauts will live together in China Space Station for about 5 days, which means Shenzhou-14 will probably return on December 05 at ~10:55UTC
https://twitter.com/CNSpaceflight/status/1597532897459974145
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Astronauts of Shenzhou 14: Crew of Shenzhou 15, welcome!
Liu Yang: The palace in the sky is waiting for you to come; Chen Dong: The old iron is here; Cai Xuzhe: We will come back.
https://twitter.com/SegerYu/status/1597559733560709122
https://twitter.com/SegerYu/status/1597553469992636417
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https://twitter.com/wulei2020/status/1597626291532234753
#Shenzhou14 crew members have put on specially designed sweatshirts to welcome their colleagues.
Chen Dong: Lao Tie Lai Le!(Old fellows are coming!)We missed you so much.
Liu Yang: I've waited till all the flowers had withered.
Cai Xuzhe: Lets have a hug first!
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BREAKING. #Shenzhou15 has docked at Tianhe Core Module's forward port at 21:42 UTC, ~6.5 hours after the launch from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. History in the making: 7 Asian astronauts in habitable space stations right now (6 🇨🇳and 1)
https://twitter.com/CNSpaceflight/status/1597711127667802113
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After the docking of #Shenzhou15, the China Space Station assembly weighs nearly 100 tonnes
3 space station modules
2 Shenzhou crew spacecrafts
1 Tianzhou cargo spacecraft
https://twitter.com/CNSpaceflight/status/1597713404788998144
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#Shenzhou14 Astronauts watching the launch from space station.
https://twitter.com/nkknspace/status/1597660975192473600
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The crew of the Shenzhou 14 mission has received the crew of the Shenzhou 15 mission!
https://twitter.com/conexionspacial/status/1597737719643648000
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Six astronauts on the Chinese Space Station!
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twitter.com/segeryu/status/1597740952650932224
witness history
https://twitter.com/segeryu/status/1597741028056133632
The astronauts of Shenzhen-14 opened the forward hatch of the node module of the space station, and the astronauts of Shenzhou-15 opened the front hatch of the orbital module of the spacecraft.
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YT version
https://youtu.be/wajBjTKEafs
https://twitter.com/cnsawatcher/status/1597745199723458560
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Congrats to China! Its nice to see six crew on the station for this crew transition.
But it is really quite amusing how the Chinese taikonauts go to such great lengths to stand attention the right way up. Have they been instructed to never be filmed upside down? What would they do without their foot straps? :D
Geez, just enjoy microgravity and show your fellow citizens and everyone how fun it can be.
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I believe they will take some "fun shots" in the next few days. No hurry.
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Shenzhou 15 crew Astronauts: Fei Junlong, Deng Qingming and Zhang Lu joins with #Shenzhou14 crew at the #Tiangong space station. This will be the 1st grouping of the six member crew of China's Space station.
https://twitter.com/nkknspace/status/1597750462803251200
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So, 13 astronauts from 4 countries in 2 space stations in the next 5 days.
https://twitter.com/CNSpaceflight/status/1597744452847939585
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During the Shenzhen-15 mission, 6 out-of-cabin transfer operations of exposed payloads (cargo) will be carried out. The cargo airlock of the Mengtian experimental module can use the robotic arm to realize the autonomous transfer of the payload (cargo) in and out of the cabin under the cooperation of the astronaut crew and the ground. Demo animation (SAST video)
Schematic diagram of the payload transfer process After the exposed payload is transferred outside the cabin, it will be installed on the predetermined externally exposed payload adapter to carry out scientific experiments and technical tests.
https://twitter.com/SegerYu/status/1597952774221991936
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How would six taikonauts spend their time in the first ever in-orbit crew shift in China Space Station? Take a look here.
https://twitter.com/zheng_yibing/status/1598635180478144513
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https://twitter.com/cnspaceflight/status/1598701173762318341
Seeds brought to the China Space Station by Shenzhou-15 begin to sprout 🌱
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https://twitter.com/wulei2020/status/1598939660033880064
As Chinas national space laboratories, the #ChinaSpaceStation's two lab modules have attracted much attention from scientists, who say that besides doing experiments, there is special equipment in one of the lab modules for releasing micro-spacecraft. #TiangongInOrbit
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https://twitter.com/wulei2020/status/1598910212412682240
How is China's Space Station maintaining power?
The answer to that comes down to these two pairs of flexible solar arrays, which generate 80% of the entire space stations electricity. And do you know how the #roboticarms work on the Tiangong space station? Check this video out.
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https://twitter.com/sorauta_jp/status/1598959990550958080
Today's Nagoya #CSS #Tiangong China #宇宙ステーション #天宮 .
Nagoya's closest point 511km passed 17:09... The sky is still bright and I can't find Amamiya at all... 😵💫
So, I gradually caught it around the time of its closest approach.
The three astronauts will return to Earth tomorrow, so today was the last chance for Shinshu's "Zennose"... 😆
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Chinese cosmonauts rotated the crews of the Tiangong station.
Chinese astronauts held the first rotation of the crews of the Tiangong space station.
08:26 03.12.2022
BEIJING, December 3 - RIA Novosti. Chinese astronauts on Friday held the first-ever rotation of crews in orbit on the Tiangong modular space station, China's manned flight program administration said on Saturday.
The crews of the Shenzhou-14 and Shenzhou-15 manned spacecraft in the evening of December 2, Beijing time, held an official ceremony of handing over and accepting cases, as well as handing over the "keys" to the station.
The Shenzhou-14 crew, which includes crew commander Chen Dong, China's first female cosmonaut Liu Yang, and Cai Xuzhe, who is making her first space flight, have fully completed their tasks and, after a six-month mission, will go to Earth on December 4 . At present, the necessary preparatory work is being carried out at the Dongfeng landing site in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region to welcome the returning cosmonauts.
The Shenzhou-15 crew, which includes the crew commander Fei Junlong, will remain in orbit until May next year, for him the flight was the second in his career - in 2005 he was the commander of the Shenzhou-6 manned spacecraft, as well as Deng Qingming and Zhang Lu, for both of them, this flight was the first in their careers.
China began construction of the Tiangong National Orbital Station on April 29, 2021, when the Tianhe main module was successfully launched into orbit, the assembly of the station's main configuration was completed on November 3, 2022. The basic configuration of the Tiangong T-shaped station now consists of the main compartment of the Tianhe and two laboratory modules docked with it, Wentian and Mengtian, the three objects together weigh approximately 69 tons.
The total living space of the station reaches approximately 110 cubic meters, it can accommodate three cosmonauts at the same time or six people during a crew change. The designed operational resource of the station is designed for 15 years - until 2038. In addition, at the end of 2023, it is planned to launch the Xuntian Autonomous Astrophysical Module with an optical telescope, which will periodically dock with the station for maintenance.
https://ria.ru/20221203/kosmos-1836056196.html
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A historic handover. Shenzhou-15 astronauts have conducted China's first-ever in-orbit rotation with the Shenzhou-14 crew, who were sent to the space station in June, according to the China Manned Space Agency..
The Shenzhou-14 crew will return to Earth on Sunday, the CMS said.
https://twitter.com/wulei2020/status/1598848486719778816
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The current maximum configuration of China's space station is 3 cabins + 3 ships. This configuration will not be seen within half a year after the separation of Shenzhou-14 at noon tomorrow.
Today's Nagoya #CSS #Tiangong China #Space Station #Amagu . It was past 17:09 at 511km from Nagoya...the sky was still bright and I couldn't find Amamiya at all...
so I finally caught it around the time of the closest approach. The three astronauts will return to Earth tomorrow, so today was the last chance for Shinshu's "Zennose"...
https://twitter.com/SegerYu/status/1598971896389070848
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@SegerYu how does the key look like??
The #Shenzhou XIV astronauts have handed over the control of the @CNSpaceStation to their peers in the Shenzhou XV.
In a ceremonial move, the two teams signed a handover document and the Shenzhou XIV crew gave a symbolic unlocking key to the Shenzhou XV team.
https://twitter.com/chiragp87233561/status/1598898004622475264
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[On-orbit handover] After about 3 days, all the work of the space station was handed over, and the crews of both parties signed..
https://twitter.com/SegerYu/status/1598863288527618049
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Completed CSS operation milestones:
2021
Apr. 29 at 3:23 UTC - launch of Tianhe on CZ-5B
May 29 at 12:55 UTC - launch of Tianzhou 2 on CZ-7
May 29 at 21:01 UTC - docking of Tianzhou 2 with aft port of Tianhe (+propellant transfer)
June 17 at 1:22 UTC - launch of Shenzhou 12 [Nie Haisheng, Liu Boming and Tang Hongbo] on CZ-2F/G
June 17 at 7:54 UTC - docking of Shenzhou 12 [Nie, Liu, Tang] with forward port of Tianhe
July 4 at 0:116:57 UTC - spacewalk (EVA-1) from Tianhe airlock (test of new space suits, installation of foot restraints, work platform and exterior panoramic camera, emergency return to airlock training) [Liu, Tang]
Aug. 20 at 0:386:33 UTC spacewalk (EVA-2) from Tianhe airlock (installation of external pump assembly, panoramic camera activation, foot restraints & extravehicular working platform installation on the robotic arm) [Nie, Liu]
Sep. 16 at 0:56 UTC - undocking of Shenzhou 12 from forward port of Tianhe (+rendezvous test at nadir port) [Nie, Liu, Tang]
Sep. 17 at 4:454:485:34 UTC - jettison of OM & deorbit burn & landing of Shenzhou 12 [Nie, Liu, Tang]
Sep. 18 at 2:25~6:25 UTC - undocking of Tianzhou 2 from aft port of Tianhe and docking with forward port of Tianhe (+propellant transfer testing)
Sep. 20 at 7:10 UTC - launch of Tianzhou 3 on CZ-7
Sep. 20 at 14:08 UTC - docking of Tianzhou 3 with aft port of Tianhe
Oct. 15 at 16:23 UTC - launch of Shenzhou 13 on CZ-2F/G [Zhai Zhigang, Wang Yaping, Ye Guangfu]
Oct. 15 at 22:56 UTC - docking of Shenzhou 13 with nadir port of Tianhe [Zhai, Wang, Ye]
Nov. 7 at 10:5117:16 UTC spacewalk (EVA-3) from Tianhe airlock (testing of new spacesuit, installation of robotic arm adapter/end effector) [Zhai, Wang]
Dec. 26 at 10:4416:55 UTC spacewalk (EVA-4) from Tianhe airlock (deployment of external camera platform C, object translation movement testing) [Zhai, Ye]
2022
Jan. 5 at 22:1222:59 UTC - robotic arm relocation testing of Tianzhou 2 (near port side port)
Jan. 7 at 21:5623:55 UTC - undocking & docking of Tianzhou 2 at forward port of Tianhe (manual docking test)
Mar. 27 at 7:59 UTC - undocking of Tianzhou 2 from forward port of Tianhe for EOM
Mar. 31 at 10:40 UTC - reentry of Tianzhou 2 over the South Pacific
Apr. 14 at 16:44 UTC - undocking of Shenzhou 13 from nadir port of Tianhe [Zhai, Wang, Ye]
Apr. 16 at 1:071:09~1:311:56 UTC - jettison of OM & deorbit burn & jettison of PM & landing of Shenzhou 13 [Zhai, Wang, Ye]
Apr. 19 at 21:0201:06 UTC - undocking of Tianzhou 3 from aft port & docking at forward port of Tianhe
May 10 at 17:56 UTC - launch of Tianzhou 4 on CZ-7
May 11 at 0:47 UTC - docking of Tianzhou 4 with aft port of Tianhe
June 5 at 2:44 UTC - launch of Shenzhou 14 on CZ-2F/G [Chen Dong, Liu Yang, Cai Xuzhe]
June 5 at 9:42 UTC - docking of Shenzhou 14 with nadir port of Tianhe [Chen, Liu, Cai]
July 17 at 2:59 UTC - undocking of Tianzhou 3 from forward port of Tianhe for EOM
July 24 at 6:22 UTC - launch of Wentian on CZ-5B
July 24 at 19:0819:13 UTC - (soft/hard) docking of Wentian at forward port of Tianhe
July 27 at 3:31 UTC - reentry of Tianzhou 3 over the South Pacific
Sep. 2 at 10:2616:33 UTC - spacewalk (EVA-5) from Wentian airlock (installation of coolant pump on Wentian, raising a panoramic camera and testing of the small robotic arm) [Chen, Liu]
Sep. 17 at 5:359:47 UTC - spacewalk (EVA-6) from Wentian airlock (installation of foot restraint B and an assisting hatch handle, installation of a circulating pump and demonstration of extravehicular emergency rescue procedures) [Chen, Cai]
Sep. 30 3:454:44 UTC - robotic relocation of Wentian from forward to starboard on Tianhe
Oct. 31 at 7:37 UTC - launch of Mengtian on CZ-5B
October 31 at 20:27 UTC - docking of Mengtian at forward port of Tianhe
Nov. 3 at 0:481:32 UTC - robotic relocation of Mengtian from forward to port on Tianhe
Nov. 9 at 6:55 UTC - undocking of Tianzhou 4 from aft port of Tianhe for EOM
Nov. 12 at 2:03 UTC - launch of Tianzhou 5 on CZ-7
Nov. 12 at 4:10 UTC - docking of Tianzhou 5 with aft port of Tianhe
Nov. 13 at 22:02 UTC - deployment of CubeSat Zhixing 3A (智星三号A, SmartSAT 3A) from Tianzhou 4
Nov. 14 23:21 UTC - Reentry of Tianzhou 4
Nov. 17 at 3:168:50 UTC - spacewalk (EVA-7) from Wentian airlock (installing an inter-module connecting device (handrail) and raising the Wentian panoramic camera A) [Chen, Cai]
Nov. 29 at 15:08 UTC - launch of Shenzhou 15 on CZ-2F/G [Fei, Deng, Zhang]
Nov. 29 at 21:41 UTC - docking of Shenzhou 15 with forward port of Tianhe [Fei, Deng, Zhang]
Dec. 4 at 3:01 UTC - undocking of Shenzhou 14 from nadir port of Tianhe
Dec. 4 at ~11:2011:22~11:4512:08 UTC - jettison of OM & deorbit burn & jettison of PM & landing of Shenzhou 14 [Chen, Liu, Cai]
Dec. 18 at 1:30 UTC - deployment of CubeSat XW 4 (CAS 10, Macau Student Science 1) from Tianzhou 5 external dispenser
Guesstimated current timeline of upcoming CSS operations:
April? (NET) - undocking of Tianzhou 5 from aft port of Tianhe for EOM & reentry
May (NET) - launch of Tianzhou 6 on CZ-7
May (NET) - docking of Tianzhou 6 to aft port of Tianhe
May 25 - launch of Shenzhou 16 on CZ-2F/G
May 25 - docking of Shenzhou 16 to nadir port of Tianhe
May 30 - undocking from forward port of Tianhe & landing of Shenzhou 15 [Fei, Deng, Zhang]
Nov. 18 - launch of Shenzhou 17 on CZ-2F/G
Nov. 18 - docking of Shenzhou 17 to forward port of Tianhe
Nov. 23 - undocking & landing of Shenzhou 16 from nadir port of Tianhe
December? (NET) - undocking of Tianzhou 6 from aft port of Tianhe for EOM & reentry
December (NET) - launch of Xuntian on CZ-5B
2024
May 18 - launch of Shenzhou 18 on CZ-2F/G
May 18 - docking of Shenzhou 18 to nadir port of Tianhe
May 18? - undocking from forward port of Tianhe & landing of Shenzhou 17
Nov. 11 - launch of Shenzhou 19 on CZ-2F/G
Nov. 11 - docking of Shenzhou 19 to forward port of Tianhe
Nov. 16 - undocking from nadir port of Tianhe & landing of Shenzhou 18
2025
May 7 - launch of Shenzhou 20 on CZ-2F/G
May 7 - docking of Shenzhou 20 to nadir port of Tianhe
May 12 - undocking from forward port of Tianhe & landing of Shenzhou 19
Nov. 5 - undocking from nadir port of Tianhe & landing of Shenzhou 20
Corrections & input welcome!
Edit Dec. 3
Edit Dec. 8
Edit Dec. 17
Edit Dec. 20
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https://twitter.com/cnspaceflight/status/1599042700971364352
CMSA has confirmed multiple countries have applied to send astronauts to China Space Station and the preparation for training foreign astronauts is underway
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https://twitter.com/segeryu/status/1599087462089101312
In which cases is it necessary for one robot arm to transport another robot arm 😁
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https://twitter.com/cnspaceflight/status/1599336706767192064
📹Shenzhou-14 and Shenzhou-15 live & work together
(The China Space Station is so packed)
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#Shenzhou14 undocked from Tianhe nadir port at ~03:01 UTC on December 04. And, we got to see the China Space Station assemble from another angle.
https://twitter.com/CNSpaceflight/status/1599258705962618883
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I enjoy keeping up with all that the Chinese are doing in space. It's good to watch the gradual unfolding of a thouroughly thought out long term plan being executed.
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https://twitter.com/segeryu/status/1599650699000057857
Wang Xiang, Commander-in-Chief of the China Manned Space Engineering Space Station System: "As a space station, our application development has just started."
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https://twitter.com/wulei2020/status/1599644961183440896
Exploring #Tiangong with me!
The 7-minute full-English science popularization video brings you an immersive Chinese space station exploration experience.
https://news.cgtn.com/news/2022-11-29/Exploring-China-s-Tiangong-space-station-1fmvhwrCZnW/index.html
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China is preparing to begin training foreign astronauts to travel to the Tiangong Space Station in the future. Previously, ESA astronauts participated in training with Chinese astronauts, so they could be the first candidates to fly to the Chinese Space Station.https://share.api.weibo.cn/share/353884815,4842661842784454.html?weibo_id=4842661842784454
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China's Shenzhou 14 crew grew plants in space, returns to Earth
https://youtu.be/Jb9QWzApnkc
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https://twitter.com/segeryu/status/1600850169414631424
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https://twitter.com/segeryu/status/1601150849400836097
During the Shenzhen-15 mission, it is planned to carry out 3 to 4 extravehicular activities for astronauts. The longest EVA among them may reach the upper limit of 8 hours for the independent working time of the extravehicular suit.
(old video)
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https://twitter.com/segeryu/status/1601583156595159040
Next, with the support and cooperation of the ground, the astronauts of the Chinese space station will use the mechanical arm or through EVA to successively install many external exposure (test) payloads.
There are currently 4 types of payload adapters outside the Chinese space station:
Figure 1 - Wentian Ⅰ type;
Figure 2 - Wentian Ⅱ type;
Figure 3 - Mengtian;
Figure 4 - Large load, extended test platform, small mooring mechanism.
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https://twitter.com/segeryu/status/1601612421042704384
There are two standard exposed payload adapters for Wentian outboards, type Ⅰ and type Ⅱ . The two are slightly different in appearance, and the main difference in function is that one can provide certain thermal control support, while the other cannot.
Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the external material exposure test device to be installed outside Wentian ♥️ . There are still many exposed payloads that need to be installed... Let's talk about it later~
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https://twitter.com/chinainspace/status/1601641483102261249
New era begins for China space project
https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3202772/new-era-begins-china-space-project
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Documenting the assembly of China's space station. Credit: Boyang Liu
https://twitter.com/ChinaInSpace/status/1601682353180463105
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It takes about 12 hours for the urine treatment subsystem to process a case of 22 L of urine, and the urine distilled water is then passed through the water treatment subsystem. The water treatment subsystem requires less than 12 hrs to process urine distilled water into recycled water.
https://twitter.com/SegerYu/status/1602251981179211777
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The New York Times has a feature-length article out on Tiangong and the Chinese space program:
China Maps Out Plans to Put Astronauts on the Moon and on Mars (https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/12/science/china-space-moon-mars.html?unlocked_article_code=3ki7CheYmTvV-xakLMy-NqxLfVtA9s6saVn0eHlxSHVsA7rdAQkOLO9NGBbi-QE9AsSVt1xfkboecbE5iW5mciyZ06BTJpMiKefIRJ_eCGiBQVftXrj-K0LRckIcwpmVcdRrNHsp05wLSd6sIe83YO663VPQbrktSz-VyjMDw2BXugVvANfESJD5IPZ7aaDsfEzuTmlB-CjIWdp-tqJwpKYpyyGWHfi6f_hWlM_rMfGXlrHNmiQFS7PAxtof8-bAJaMLQ_aUosdGhhj_XGff-Me-4GOa-a1GsozZno7x-JycJj2cOe-Ub4ujTK3Txj9MKMsW4nohyoEy7U3nPRk&smid=share-url)
Chinese officials at a desert rocket base described plans for their new space station and for reusable rockets, as well as travel beyond near-Earth orbit.
Also sidebars:
Why Some Scientists Choose Chinas Space Station for Research (https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/12/science/tiangong-science-physics.html?unlocked_article_code=Ty18b1pZKcj-T_q8qopOe0dHuUfAWosYj-3PQ3pvLmG7kaoPlzgtqIp7ExwKz7DDqkHFteFKfgBLCraD9pBcmRiSLyq1dyerhAIdDm_xwtdWJyS2Pkf1sgCiUlabTkFgT-45HWLk630chWDRuUdpNXaSKcx6orp7psep09tyBhbZFId0I_etSTJ15jOdpdD7fbKvrHvIvir9jFQAdNvoIBaqtOLhDA0Ifj05xtBvbu75lPkFexw9MrG-81aHzXDo-AtWoj14e7pFb4BT0e-pcQKd4Gn1G3x-GlYEBIkqgdatStQyTkIz2glcyJacUzjjuCYAzekV2XNeCrsLza-PiTo&smid=share-url)
A project led by researchers from a Swiss university highlights Chinas ambition to make the Tiangong outpost broadly available for science.
A Timeline of Chinas Advancements in Spaceflight (https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/12/science/china-space-chronology-timeline.html?unlocked_article_code=lXDLslc9EnbXcJdhomVNKK5ou8-Ud25-NCwuE1gCF0PxbQF1N08rioZ6ia1tG-udXWatNLTaJjkonrVf0KtKlP4rgsl9MBJInXnFfSbn0ycdnYoAyREwZcn1PaWGRubBityrwQveOHnb3QWYS6KRKimz_UaadKAdY7GekXgjxxISqtv-zeb04uk2akPB5L35BKxD2vjTfPUVBPyasqOwIEXFjGpv3MfUmr-kH5aInXJvJsTFCp977ky-VlhLDESQcbg-5FXh_lC743_UHzyRiORNjZmOcAC0-8dOX9WMiTzVWOspZtqDiKTbrLX4Fc-NNdNsfM0PyiOAFCBe3URkwpVEV9CmWvqp&smid=share-url)
And earlier Shenzhou-15 coverage:
China Launches Astronauts to Newly Completed Space Station (https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/29/world/asia/china-space-launch-astronauts.html?unlocked_article_code=q__bXiqNZBBh_W208RQ-ExbsVWZg5dFuy3kI2UFo8lOUJbQt1sNMwnIULuNi_i-8NKqVWdfYBknMi2HuKdX2C1iCBlw-taAS5RJbUH9b7k1ii05iim2nfVo7EAKeegVniy1kNtIOBqwNFAHWfpuj5rhGCeF9FFxygbjNMme-C0NPEuTh4k1tyKf3s8p50L79yomhpAds6nqTHgbqpYZfeo3EF_z2jFAdPw1R7eOdWIfA1P2yGxFCBRL2_XDN8YF_qSdQHlkXP2g2stOnOURX4TK5TxKUvjBkACHIQpfC2bSSkgRh--ajcocRCrLwlN53M6pj6o0Q1XMaqhb-tp-dRQYma2Sjx7XkvA&smid=share-url)
After decades of military secrecy, Chinese officials opened their desert rocket launch center to a handful of visitors and called for international cooperation in space.
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Is NYT Science reporting on China's aerospace special series today?
https://twitter.com/SegerYu/status/1602711013404856320
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It takes about 12 hours for the urine treatment subsystem to process a case of 22 L of urine, and the urine distilled water is then passed through the water treatment subsystem. The water treatment subsystem requires less than 12 hrs to process urine distilled water into recycled water.
https://twitter.com/SegerYu/status/1602251981179211777
Any idea of the efficiency in recovery?
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https://twitter.com/cnsawatcher/status/1602927183600799746
🧑🚀New life of Shenzhou 15 astronauts at Tiangong Space Station (CSS). Full HD: buff.ly/3Yo0YZq
https://youtu.be/ysng9555TZk
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https://twitter.com/wulei2020/status/1602870070656598017
Wow, amazing!
A Japanese astrophotographer @sorauta_jp has recorded the rare footage of Chinas #Tiangong Space Station flying across the #Jupiter. (Credit:@sorauta_jp )
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https://twitter.com/cnsawatcher/status/1604010834199461890
🧑🚀Shenzhou 15 astronauts unpacking new facilities, decorating, and exercising at Tiangong Space Station (CSS). Full HD:
https://youtu.be/7hrKd7efxM0
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resistance exercise
https://twitter.com/SegerYu/status/1603831139097280512
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resistance exercise
https://twitter.com/SegerYu/status/1603831139097280512 (https://twitter.com/SegerYu/status/1603831139097280512)
I've seen these before, and they do a good job on the lower body. I hope this suggestion is allowed (if not, moderator please remove), for consideration on future modules or stations. But what Tiangong, and the ISS for that matter, needs is something that works the entire human frame, head to toe. I respectfully suggest something like the Teeter FreeStep, which does exactly that. My workouts on it make me use every joint and muscle in my frame. I'm sure that the engineers would be able to replicate its functions in a more compact frame for use onboard the station.
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XW 4 (CAS 10) Cubesat deploy is scheduled for 1:30 UTC
https://twitter.com/AJ_FI/status/1604166921783758849?s=20&t=ICzXt5T85hHE3X9zE2Z9Lw
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In about 5 minutes (01:30 UTC), the first CubeSat will be deployed from the Chinese Space Station, I only found reports of this CubeSat, I don't know if more CubeSats are planned to be deployed.
https://twitter.com/amsat/status/1603719337705185281 (https://twitter.com/amsat/status/1603719337705185281?s=46&t=QkKBApv7ams3hFfowAYINg)
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Deployment completed! From what I understand, seven CubeSats were deployed?
https://twitter.com/kikori1906/status/1604291806921121792 (https://twitter.com/kikori1906/status/1604291806921121792)
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https://twitter.com/cnsawatcher/status/1604358850408337408
📡For radio transponders, Tiangong Space Station (CSS) today deployed CAS-10 (XW-4) CubeSat from Amateur Satellite Organization, equipped with VHF, UHF, camera and DTMF remote control system, which allows you to download its photos! Video @JS2GGD. Source: share.api.weibo.cn/share/35613985
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Deployment completed! From what I understand, seven CubeSats were deployed?
https://twitter.com/kikori1906/status/1604291806921121792 (https://twitter.com/kikori1906/status/1604291806921121792)
The other six are registered ham radio callsigns not likely payloads.
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https://twitter.com/wulei2020/status/1604742238051139585
How's everything going in #ChinaSpaceStation? Check the latest episode of #TiangongTVseries. The #Shenzhou15 crew are busy working and meanwhile adapting themselves to the life in space.
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twitter.com/cnspaceflight/status/1604795122691887105
An internal source on Weibo has confirmed that the 8U CAS-10 (XW-4) amateur radio sat was released from the Mengtian micro/cubesat deploying system on DEC.17
It's supposed to be the "Macau Student Science Satellite 1", according to some facts:
🔵same form factor
🔵same dates ...
https://twitter.com/cnspaceflight/status/1604795125887930368
planned for deployment
BUT, none reports saying explicitly they are the same thing.
And, the cubesat was mounted on the exterior of Tianzhou-5 where it could be deployed directly. Why would it be necessary to transfer it to Mengtian and then be released?
twitter.com/CNSpaceflight/
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Another deployment from CSS!
The Macao I CubeSat deploy from Tianzhou-5 spacecraft.
https://share.api.weibo.cn/share/356547838,4848736024658989.html?weibo_id=4848736024658989 (https://share.api.weibo.cn/share/356547838,4848736024658989.html?weibo_id=4848736024658989)
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Another deployment from CSS!
The Macao I CubeSat deploy from Tianzhou-5 spacecraft.
https://share.api.weibo.cn/share/356547838,4848736024658989.html?weibo_id=4848736024658989 (https://share.api.weibo.cn/share/356547838,4848736024658989.html?weibo_id=4848736024658989)
The satellite weighs 12 kg and is an 8U type.
https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/S9Nf-X-gdye6xhGfvW2ZOg (https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/S9Nf-X-gdye6xhGfvW2ZOg)
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Another deployment from CSS!
The Macao I CubeSat deploy from Tianzhou-5 spacecraft.
https://share.api.weibo.cn/share/356547838,4848736024658989.html?weibo_id=4848736024658989 (https://share.api.weibo.cn/share/356547838,4848736024658989.html?weibo_id=4848736024658989)
The satellite weighs 12 kg and is an 8U type.
https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/S9Nf-X-gdye6xhGfvW2ZOg (https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/S9Nf-X-gdye6xhGfvW2ZOg)
Well, maybe XW-4 and Macao I are the same satellite, the strange thing is because CMS announces it two days later.
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https://twitter.com/wulei2020/status/1605105881179226112
During a commemorative event for 23rd anniversary of Macao returning to motherland today, Ho Iat Seng, chief executive of China's Macao Special Administrative Region, announced that #Tianzhou5 cargo spacecraft had successfully released "#MacaoStudentScienceSatellite1" on Dec. 18.
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https://twitter.com/wulei2020/status/1605119947998343168
Yes, the "Macau Student Science Satellite 1" is also called CAS-10.
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https://twitter.com/aj_fi/status/1605136649364865024
Video from Tianhe core module POV showing the release of the CAS-10/CAMSAT XW-4 satellite on Dec 18, which was taken into orbit on Tianzhou-5.
twitter.com/segeryu/status/1605133393658011649
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https://twitter.com/cnspaceflight/status/1605134375116382208
👀Ready for the future expansion of @TiangongStation the China Space Station? A new module and Shenzhou and the next-generation crew spacecraft docking[ed] at the same time
twitter.com/CNSpaceflight/
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Looks like additional solar panels will be added as well, with an additional four expansion ports.
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https://twitter.com/cnsawatcher/status/1606192420638572544
📸🌍Seeing Earth from Tiangong Space Station (CSS). Full HD: buff.ly/3YLzblW
https://youtu.be/ppQZbAcbiI8
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https://twitter.com/cnsawatcher/status/1607271008095830017
View from Tiangong Space Station (CSS) by Shenzhou 14 astronauts:
🌊Qinghai Lake
🏝️Hainan Island
🇧🇷Amazon Astuary
🇴🇲Strait of Hormuz
Source: buff.ly/3WK2i7i
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https://twitter.com/wulei2020/status/1607670233439043584
The #Shenzhou15 crew have just made their first blood tests at #ChinaSpaceStation.
How did they make it under a microgravity environment?
Why they took the #bloodtests now?
Find the answers at our latest episode of #TiangongTVseries.
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Where can I learn about the experiments that are being carried out or planned to be carried out aboard the station? Obviously they are working hard. I'd like to know what they are doing and what their future plans are.
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twitter.com/segeryu/status/1609516544308183043
On the first day of 2023, the astronauts of the Shenzhou-15 mission are on the 32nd day in orbit~
https://twitter.com/segeryu/status/1609516549400047617
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twitter.com/segeryu/status/1609516544308183043
On the first day of 2023, the astronauts of the Shenzhou-15 mission are on the 32nd day in orbit~
What's that growing on the wall?
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https://twitter.com/cnsawatcher/status/1609780592383594498
🌅Sunrise of 2023 at Tiangong Space Station (CSS). Full HD: buff.ly/3jKPi2O
https://youtu.be/3g-K5FFQ9ks
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What's that growing on the wall?
It looks like rice to me:
https://www.space.com/china-testing-space-grown-plants-shenzhou-14
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https://twitter.com/zheng_yibing/status/1609155918947835905
China just announced it has finished building its space station. Here is a review of 11 launch missions since April, 2021 when the in-orbit construction began and how the station named Tiangong or Heavenly Palace in Chinese looks like now. (Video not complete due to time limit)
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https://twitter.com/tiangongstation/status/1610193070263537664
First sunrise of 2023 as seen from space, filmed by Shenzhou-15 astronauts FEI Junlong, DENG Qingming and ZHANG Lu from the China Space Station
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https://youtu.be/kDlA6eKOvlg
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https://twitter.com/CNSpaceflight/status/1611376370441129984 (https://twitter.com/CNSpaceflight/status/1611376370441129984)
CMSA quietly transferred some equipment through the Mengtian cargo airlock
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https://twitter.com/cnsawatcher/status/1611984579941785600
Tiangong Space Station (CSS) captured from ground, by @byspto Full HD: buff.ly/3Gt7C8i buff.ly/3WWeoKV
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https://twitter.com/CNSAWatcher/status/1611610841324847104 (https://twitter.com/CNSAWatcher/status/1611610841324847104)
Tiangong Space Station (CSS) transiting the full Moon!
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CMSA quietly transferred some equipment through the Mengtian cargo airlock
It was an energy particle detector according to https://weibo.com/5386897742/MnncyzFov
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https://twitter.com/wulei2020/status/1612361681480605696
#ChinaSpaceStation flying over #Moon!
Could you find the difference between the two photos taken on August 14th ,2022 and January 8th, 2023? Youll see clearly that Chinas space station #Tiangong has changed shape. CSS was fully completed in 2022.
(Photo: @Jeff的星空之旅)
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CMSA quietly transferred some equipment through the Mengtian cargo airlock
It was an energy particle detector according to https://weibo.com/5386897742/MnncyzFov
In English:
https://english.news.cn/20230111/64f86ce232e740b483061d1e7dc144d1/c.html
Device to detect orbital particles mounted outside China's space station
Source: Xinhua Editor: huaxia 2023-01-11 18:15:45
BEIJING, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- A particle detector has been installed on the extravehicular platform of China's space station to obtain key data used for the space station's safety, extravehicular activities of the astronauts, biological experiments, and the study of space material.
The energy particle detector in Wentian lab has been transported via the cargo airlock cabin, assisted by a robotic arm.
The detector used a new material called CLYC for the first time in the world that can achieve high-efficient neutron detection.
The newly-mounted device can monitor the energy and orientations of high-energy protons and electrons, heavy ions and neutrons in the space station's orbit, according to the National Space Science Center under the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
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I really like their uniforms, especially the vest. It's so much better than the warehouse worker aesthetic that the U.S is going for.
-
https://youtu.be/v12KhdeGAXA
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More plants growing aboard, seems like they're quite serious about not just shoots and small plants, but actual mature ones, including crops. As a reference, this was only ever attempted on ISS a few years back (now more routinely, yet not with as many common, useful varieties), and a handful of times in prior space stations like Mir, Salyut or Skylab:
https://twitter.com/TiangongStation/status/1615608740518203392
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I understand that once a germinated seed breaks the surface of the ground it will naturally grow toward the light. That's how to control plant growth direction in zero-g. But what do they do when they plant a seed? There is no detectable gravity to tell the germinated seed which way to the surface. What is the mechanism to get seeds to grow toward the surface where light can then take over?
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GT: This year, only one Tianzhou cargo spacecraft will be launched to the Chinese space station.
Starting from Tianzhou-6, cargo ships have optimized and upgraded the layout of equipment and cargo holds. The improved airtight compartment cargo transport capacity will be further improved. Each launch of a fully sealed cargo ship can deliver ~3 months more food for astronauts.
The Tianzhou cargo spacecraft has a maximum take-off mass of 13.5 t, a maximum uplink cargo mass of 7 t, and a propellant replenishment capacity of 2.5 t.
https://twitter.com/SegerYu/status/1615767257124335616
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I understand that once a germinated seed breaks the surface of the ground it will naturally grow toward the light. That's how to control plant growth direction in zero-g. But what do they do when they plant a seed? There is no detectable gravity to tell the germinated seed which way to the surface. What is the mechanism to get seeds to grow toward the surface where light can then take over?
Use transparent dirt. :-)
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I understand that once a germinated seed breaks the surface of the ground it will naturally grow toward the light. That's how to control plant growth direction in zero-g. But what do they do when they plant a seed? There is no detectable gravity to tell the germinated seed which way to the surface. What is the mechanism to get seeds to grow toward the surface where light can then take over?
That's actually a great question that's the subject of ongoing, well-seasoned research dating back decades! It's called gravitropism and phototropism, and it's still poorly understood - researchers have been able to rule out several mechanisms, but not really pin down the correct one. They have even developed mutant plants without the organules needed to sense direction, and still found a response, suggesting something deeper going on - like an integrated mechanism, sensing of local density or irrigation gradients... Here's a good recent review: https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/23/18/10548 (https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/23/18/10548)
[deleted]
Zero-G enables you to grow them at fractional Gs too, through centrifuges. Can't really do that on a 1G+ gravity well except for short periods of time.
Astronauts on ISS (plus probably those on CSS soon too, if not already) routinely eat vegetables grown and matured in space, providing them not only with an experiment, but with actual supplies, wellbeing through gardening and tendering to a living being, and some would say even decoration. It has also happened, even if in a more anecdotal fashion, in prior space stations beginning with Salyut 6 in 1975 (onions, of all things :) )
Regardless, that's the value of fundamental research: you might not be looking at immediate application, but to widen knowledge, in this case about plant biology and behavior, which can on the other hand prove useful even to phenomena on the ground(s).
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Moderator:
Off-topic posts and replies deleted.
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https://twitter.com/wulei2020/status/1617000493523279872
The first sunlight from #ChinaSpaceStation.
When #ChineseNewYear comes, #Shenzhou15 crew sent their best wishes & greetings from outer space.
They also showed us the sunlight which wish everyone a happy and healthy new year at the CMG Spring Festival Gala.
#SpringFestival2023
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https://youtu.be/Ql_ZVj5NSSs
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https://twitter.com/cnsawatcher/status/1617773717831950337
🎆Fireworks in Hailar, Inner Mongolia, celebrating the Lunar New Year were captured by astronaut Dimitri Petelin in International Space Station (ISS @Space_Station). Full HD: buff.ly/3ZVCrf0
https://youtu.be/iT1G5wX0sQ4
[Mod note: this thread is about the design, construction and operation of Tiangong. Discussion of ESA policy and the extent to which it is driven by the US does not belong here and has been moved (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=58157.0).]
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https://youtu.be/O94jl9km6eg
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https://twitter.com/cnspaceflight/status/1620016716825894917
Flying through @TiangongStation with astronaut ZHANG Lu
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https://youtu.be/xWL1Ron6V90
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https://twitter.com/CCTV_Plus/status/1620301693501186049?cxt=HHwWgoDR4cbzu_wsAAAA
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https://youtu.be/XluF_-hWpvQ
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https://twitter.com/cnsawatcher/status/1621774257410678785
Dawn in space, by Shenzhou 14 astronaut Liu Yang in Tiangong Space Station (CSS). Source: share.api.weibo.cn/share/36515680
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https://youtu.be/wyBdOg1LspI
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Watching carefully the video, I think Deng Quinming was helping his mates, while Fei Junlong is working on the Blue suit, and Zhang Lu working with the red suit.
Image captured from the above video.
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As usual, few information and very ambiguous... :(
******
https://twitter.com/ChinaScience/status/1623560409478463491
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Spacewalk concluded at 16:16UTC on February 9.
https://twitter.com/CNSpaceflight/status/1623730939703468032
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Fei Junlong on red and Zhang Lu on blue.
https://twitter.com/CNSpaceflight/status/1623732525339140096
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Shenzhou-15 taikonauts complete their first spacewalk
https://english.news.cn/20230210/e2c6474367e94852914926fa63bb5fd1/c.html
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Brief video clips:
https://twitter.com/cnsawatcher/status/1623919393737699328
🧑🚀Shenzhou 15 astronauts Fei Junlong and Zhang Lu completed the crews first ~7 hour EVA spacewalk at UTC 16:16, Feb 9. During the EVA, crews finished tasks including installation of extended pump outside Mengtian laboratory cabin module. Source: share.api.weibo.cn/share/36627876
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https://twitter.com/segeryu/status/1623918272134660097
1-minute quick review of last nights Shenzhou-15 EVA-1 ❤️❤️❤️ In this extravehicular activity, the astronauts completed the hand-held foot limiter and the extravehicular workbench for the first time and took the mechanical arm transfer ~~
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https://twitter.com/cnspaceflight/status/1623907269099552768
09:10UTC on February 09, according to CCTV NEWS.
So, the spacewalk was 7 hours and 6 minutes long
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https://youtu.be/y3DmyYFQE0g
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Completed CSS operation milestones:
2021
Apr. 29 at 3:23 UTC - launch of Tianhe on CZ-5B
May 29 at 12:55 UTC - launch of Tianzhou 2 on CZ-7
May 29 at 21:01 UTC - docking of Tianzhou 2 with aft port of Tianhe (+propellant transfer)
June 17 at 1:22 UTC - launch of Shenzhou 12 [Nie Haisheng, Liu Boming and Tang Hongbo] on CZ-2F/G
June 17 at 7:54 UTC - docking of Shenzhou 12 [Nie, Liu, Tang] with forward port of Tianhe
July 4 at 0:116:57 UTC - spacewalk (EVA-1) from Tianhe airlock (test of new space suits, installation of foot restraints, work platform and exterior panoramic camera, emergency return to airlock training) [Liu, Tang]
Aug. 20 at 0:386:33 UTC spacewalk (EVA-2) from Tianhe airlock (installation of external pump assembly, panoramic camera activation, foot restraints & extravehicular working platform installation on the robotic arm) [Nie, Liu]
Sep. 16 at 0:56 UTC - undocking of Shenzhou 12 from forward port of Tianhe (+rendezvous test at nadir port) [Nie, Liu, Tang]
Sep. 17 at 4:454:485:34 UTC - jettison of OM & deorbit burn & landing of Shenzhou 12 [Nie, Liu, Tang]
Sep. 18 at 2:25~6:25 UTC - undocking of Tianzhou 2 from aft port of Tianhe and docking with forward port of Tianhe (+propellant transfer testing)
Sep. 20 at 7:10 UTC - launch of Tianzhou 3 on CZ-7
Sep. 20 at 14:08 UTC - docking of Tianzhou 3 with aft port of Tianhe
Oct. 15 at 16:23 UTC - launch of Shenzhou 13 on CZ-2F/G [Zhai Zhigang, Wang Yaping, Ye Guangfu]
Oct. 15 at 22:56 UTC - docking of Shenzhou 13 with nadir port of Tianhe [Zhai, Wang, Ye]
Nov. 7 at 10:5117:16 UTC spacewalk (EVA-3) from Tianhe airlock (testing of new spacesuit, installation of robotic arm adapter/end effector) [Zhai, Wang]
Dec. 26 at 10:4416:55 UTC spacewalk (EVA-4) from Tianhe airlock (deployment of external camera platform C, object translation movement testing) [Zhai, Ye]
2022
Jan. 5 at 22:1222:59 UTC - robotic arm relocation testing of Tianzhou 2 (near port side port)
Jan. 7 at 21:5623:55 UTC - undocking & docking of Tianzhou 2 at forward port of Tianhe (manual docking test)
Mar. 27 at 7:59 UTC - undocking of Tianzhou 2 from forward port of Tianhe for EOM
Mar. 31 at 10:40 UTC - reentry of Tianzhou 2 over the South Pacific
Apr. 14 at 16:44 UTC - undocking of Shenzhou 13 from nadir port of Tianhe [Zhai, Wang, Ye]
Apr. 16 at 1:071:09~1:311:56 UTC - jettison of OM & deorbit burn & jettison of PM & landing of Shenzhou 13 [Zhai, Wang, Ye]
Apr. 19 at 21:0201:06 UTC - undocking of Tianzhou 3 from aft port & docking at forward port of Tianhe
May 10 at 17:56 UTC - launch of Tianzhou 4 on CZ-7
May 11 at 0:47 UTC - docking of Tianzhou 4 with aft port of Tianhe
June 5 at 2:44 UTC - launch of Shenzhou 14 on CZ-2F/G [Chen Dong, Liu Yang, Cai Xuzhe]
June 5 at 9:42 UTC - docking of Shenzhou 14 with nadir port of Tianhe [Chen, Liu, Cai]
July 17 at 2:59 UTC - undocking of Tianzhou 3 from forward port of Tianhe for EOM
July 24 at 6:22 UTC - launch of Wentian on CZ-5B
July 24 at 19:0819:13 UTC - (soft/hard) docking of Wentian at forward port of Tianhe
July 27 at 3:31 UTC - reentry of Tianzhou 3 over the South Pacific
Sep. 2 at 10:2616:33 UTC - spacewalk (EVA-5) from Wentian airlock (installation of coolant pump on Wentian, raising a panoramic camera and testing of the small robotic arm) [Chen, Liu]
Sep. 17 at 5:359:47 UTC - spacewalk (EVA-6) from Wentian airlock (installation of foot restraint B and an assisting hatch handle, installation of a circulating pump and demonstration of extravehicular emergency rescue procedures) [Chen, Cai]
Sep. 30 3:454:44 UTC - robotic relocation of Wentian from forward to starboard on Tianhe
Oct. 31 at 7:37 UTC - launch of Mengtian on CZ-5B
October 31 at 20:27 UTC - docking of Mengtian at forward port of Tianhe
Nov. 3 at 0:481:32 UTC - robotic relocation of Mengtian from forward to port on Tianhe
Nov. 9 at 6:55 UTC - undocking of Tianzhou 4 from aft port of Tianhe for EOM
Nov. 12 at 2:03 UTC - launch of Tianzhou 5 on CZ-7
Nov. 12 at 4:10 UTC - docking of Tianzhou 5 with aft port of Tianhe
Nov. 13 at 22:02 UTC - deployment of CubeSat Zhixing 3A (智星三号A, SmartSAT 3A) from Tianzhou 4
Nov. 14 23:21 UTC - Reentry of Tianzhou 4
Nov. 17 at 3:168:50 UTC - spacewalk (EVA-7) from Wentian airlock (installing an inter-module connecting device (handrail) and raising the Wentian panoramic camera A) [Chen, Cai]
Nov. 29 at 15:08 UTC - launch of Shenzhou 15 on CZ-2F/G [Fei, Deng, Zhang]
Nov. 29 at 21:41 UTC - docking of Shenzhou 15 with forward port of Tianhe [Fei, Deng, Zhang]
Dec. 4 at 3:01 UTC - undocking of Shenzhou 14 from nadir port of Tianhe
Dec. 4 at ~11:2011:22~11:4512:08 UTC - jettison of OM & deorbit burn & jettison of PM & landing of Shenzhou 14 [Chen, Liu, Cai]
Dec. 18 at 1:30 UTC - deployment of CubeSat XW 4 (CAS 10, Macau Student Science 1) from Tianzhou 5 external dispenser
2023
Feb. 9 at 9:1016:16 UTC - spacewalk (EVA-8) from Wentian airlock (installation of an external pump on Mengtian) [Fei, Zhang]
Feb. 28 - spacewalk (EVA-9) from Wentian airlock [Fei, Zhang]
Mar. 30 - spacewalk (EVA-10) from Wentian airlock [Fei, Zhang]
Apr. 15 - spacewalk (EVA-11) from Wentian airlock (installation of an external pump, laying inter-module cables and installation of a supporting bar for the exposed payloads platform) [Fei, Zhang]
Guesstimated current timeline of upcoming CSS operations:
Early May? - undocking of Tianzhou 5 from aft port of Tianhe for EOM & reentry
May 10 at ~13:23 UTC - launch of Tianzhou 6 on CZ-7
May 11 - docking of Tianzhou 6 to aft port of Tianhe
May 25 - launch of Shenzhou 16 on CZ-2F/G
May 25 - docking of Shenzhou 16 to nadir port of Tianhe
May 30 - undocking from forward port of Tianhe & landing of Shenzhou 15 [Fei, Deng, Zhang]
Nov. 18 - launch of Shenzhou 17 on CZ-2F/G
Nov. 18 - docking of Shenzhou 17 to forward port of Tianhe
Nov. 23 - undocking & landing of Shenzhou 16 from nadir port of Tianhe
December? (NET) - undocking of Tianzhou 6 from aft port of Tianhe for EOM & reentry
December (NET) - launch of Xuntian on CZ-5B
2024
May 18 - launch of Shenzhou 18 on CZ-2F/G
May 18 - docking of Shenzhou 18 to nadir port of Tianhe
May 18? - undocking from forward port of Tianhe & landing of Shenzhou 17
Nov. 11 - launch of Shenzhou 19 on CZ-2F/G
Nov. 11 - docking of Shenzhou 19 to forward port of Tianhe
Nov. 16 - undocking from nadir port of Tianhe & landing of Shenzhou 18
2025
May 7 - launch of Shenzhou 20 on CZ-2F/G
May 7 - docking of Shenzhou 20 to nadir port of Tianhe
May 12 - undocking from forward port of Tianhe & landing of Shenzhou 19
Nov. 5 - undocking from nadir port of Tianhe & landing of Shenzhou 20
Corrections & input welcome!
Edit Feb. 10
Edit. Feb. 17
Edit Mar. 3
Edit Apr. 19
Edit Apr. 24
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https://youtu.be/GhDYT0IqZvg
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https://youtu.be/KEhnAkVe1UI
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https://twitter.com/wulei2020/status/1626103066377474048
China Space Station missions in 2023:
#Tianzhou6 cargo spacecraft to be launched in May
#Shenzhou16 manned spacecraft to be launched in May
#Shenzhou17 manned spacecraft to be launched in October
#ChinaSpaceStation
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https://twitter.com/cnsawatcher/status/1626825594791927808
🌅Sun rise, by Shenzhou 14 astronauts in Tiangong Space Station (CSS). Source: buff.ly/3I8ezMZ
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https://twitter.com/tiangongstation/status/1627573803311312897
The Blue Marble, as seen through Tiangong's portholes.
(c) CMSA
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https://youtu.be/eM0Rqs1FRIg
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https://twitter.com/cnspaceflight/status/1629145713304297472
👀 The China Space Station will be expanded, but instead of duplicating the three current modules: Tianhe-1, Wentian and Mengtian, a multi-functional module with 6 docking ports will be added, an exhibition at the National Museum of China shows.
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I finally got to see it fly over the other night. ;D
I think it is good to see that the designs are drifting away from Soviet/Russian from which they were originally modeled after. It should be interesting to see how it develops and grows.
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future plan of china space station
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https://twitter.com/wulei2020/status/1630086064852594693
Who will be the #first global astronaut aboard #ChinaSpaceStation? Who will be #Shenzhou16 & #Shenzhou17crew?
China's 1st astronaut to space #YangLiwei says 6 taikonauts have been chosen for 2023s spaceflight missions.
(Photo :CFP)
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https://twitter.com/wulei2020/status/1630486166326898690
How are work going on at #ChinaSpaceStation?
A latest episode of #TiangongTVseries shows the crew have recently installed the high-temperature material experimental cabinet. Whats it used for?
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China unveils ambitious plans to expand its space station
https://english.news.cn/20230228/f746f3afe62f46fca7d0d69d54498be7/c.html
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https://twitter.com/cnsawatcher/status/1631174942954799105
Multiple external sources showed that a 2nd EVA spacewalk was conducted by Shenzhou 15 astronauts in Tiangong Space Station (CSS) at the end of Feb, yet no video, picture, or even announcement was ever revealed by CNSA CMS this time. Arguably a new era of openness & transparency.
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https://twitter.com/cnsawatcher/status/1631174942954799105
Multiple external sources showed that a 2nd EVA spacewalk was conducted by Shenzhou 15 astronauts in Tiangong Space Station (CSS) at the end of Feb, yet no video, picture, or even announcement was ever revealed by CNSA CMS this time. Arguably a new era of openness & transparency.
Probably EVA tasks were building a Great Wall around Tiangong... ;D
https://twitter.com/wulei2020/status/1631210523667890176?cxt=HHwWgIDUkYXVnKMtAAAA
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https://youtu.be/kAghtKMgVNg
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https://twitter.com/segeryu/status/1631220612235681792
"Recently, with the cooperation of ground scientific research personnel and astronauts, the experimental system in the combustion science cabinet of the Mengtian cabin successfully performed the first on-orbit ignition test, which verified the completeness of the functions of the combustion science experiment system of the space station and the accuracy and consistency of the overall experimental process. It is scientific and lays a good foundation for the smooth implementation of follow-up projects.
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https://twitter.com/wulei2020/status/1632993354651959296
Wanna know more about #Shenzhou15s daily work in-orbit?
Here comes the latest episode of their life in the Tiangong space station.
They successfully used two-photon microscope to capture images of taikonauts skin cells in orbit.
#TiangongTVseries
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https://youtu.be/ks9rW77_oO4
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https://youtu.be/jBDkT8MopoM
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https://youtu.be/qRelND6KM5g
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https://youtu.be/yrZu3NDX490
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https://twitter.com/CNSpaceflight/status/1641677257491005440
(I'm not going to post the original sources because even those are pretty cryptic, it's almost reading-between-tea-leaves level)
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https://twitter.com/CNSpaceflight/status/1641677257491005440
(I'm not going to post the original sources because even those are pretty cryptic, it's almost reading-between-tea-leaves level)
The March 30 EVA was officially confirmed: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/eGjZkbKLcxxGsP0mSY9v7g (https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/eGjZkbKLcxxGsP0mSY9v7g)
No details given as with last time, except that it was still Fei Junlong & Zhang Lu doing the EVA, with Deng Qingming supporting from the inside (probably controlling the robotic arm).
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https://twitter.com/Cosmic_Penguin/status/1641786809737957376
Source (https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/VYaWAo22mtX3MvPVtVdpAw)
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https://twitter.com/Cosmic_Penguin/status/1641786809737957376
Source (https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/VYaWAo22mtX3MvPVtVdpAw)
https://twitter.com/CNSpaceflight/status/1641968041494994945 (https://twitter.com/CNSpaceflight/status/1641968041494994945)
CASC has successfully completed China's 1st on-orbit demonstration/experiments of Stirling converter that generates electricity efficiently from heat, a key technology that will play important roles in future crewed lunar missions & deep space explorations
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https://youtu.be/DnbEUWuuP5E
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Few details does not equal "secret".
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Few details does not equal "secret".
It was definitely secret until after it happened. Few details exist now, well after its execution was announced.
I've read musings that one of the main activities for the spacewalk was to jettison trash, since storage space appears to be running low in CSS, especially with upcoming Tiangong departures (indeed, the musings also mentioned the freighters might loiter and redock after a docking port becomes available again). This "lackluster objective" might justify why it wasn't publicized, although surely something else was carried out along with taking out the trash. Or perhaps this is just a low-effort smokescreen to cover something beefier.
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I would be extremely disappointed with the Chinese if they simply jettisoned their trash into open space.
EXTREMELY disappointed!
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I would be extremely disappointed with the Chinese if they simply jettisoned their trash into open space.
EXTREMELY disappointed!
If there's no space in the freighters, what else can they do? They have a very capable ship, but that means it's not as easily disposable as Progresses might have been in the past, which is what basically supported frequent and abundant trash disposal in long-duration space stations until now.
Certain amounts of trash jettison was common practice in mostly every space station before ISS (not justifying it as good practice, just noting how it was arranged until not very long ago). In fact, unneeded bulky items are regularly jettisoned from ISS both from the USOS and the ROS: an old Orlan filled with waste, external payloads of all kinds, including a ROSA, several experiment packages, MLI bundles, an HTV EP... Good thing about reasonable amounts of crew waste in human-tended LEO is that they have a pretty favorable ballistic coefficient for quick deorbit, and will completely burn up/sublimate away once it does, posing literally no ground hazard.
And again, these are some rumors that were published online - most likely the real reason for the spacewalk was not just "taking out the trash", and if it indeed happened was just a task of opportunity for some particularly cumbersome items.
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https://twitter.com/cnspaceflight/status/1643264871067439104
CMSA released a 25s footage of Shenzhou-15's 3rd spacewalk.
@mickeywzx, more material to figure out the timestamp?
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I would be extremely disappointed with the Chinese if they simply jettisoned their trash into open space.
EXTREMELY disappointed!
If there's no space in the freighters, what else can they do? They have a very capable ship, but that means it's not as easily disposable as Progresses might have been in the past, which is what basically supported frequent and abundant trash disposal in long-duration space stations until now.
Certain amounts of trash jettison was common practice in mostly every space station before ISS (not justifying it as good practice, just noting how it was arranged until not very long ago). In fact, unneeded bulky items are regularly jettisoned from ISS both from the USOS and the ROS: an old Orlan filled with waste, external payloads of all kinds, including a ROSA, several experiment packages, MLI bundles, an HTV EP... Good thing about reasonable amounts of crew waste in human-tended LEO is that they have a pretty favorable ballistic coefficient for quick deorbit, and will completely burn up/sublimate away once it does, posing literally no ground hazard.
And again, these are some rumors that were published online - most likely the real reason for the spacewalk was not just "taking out the trash", and if it indeed happened was just a task of opportunity for some particularly cumbersome items.
In any case I have some doubts as to significant pieces of trash being disposed in the last EVAs, if only because I expect the USSF to be able to track all of these things.
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I would be extremely disappointed with the Chinese if they simply jettisoned their trash into open space.
EXTREMELY disappointed!
This has been a regular practice on the ISS. Thermal covers, broken equipment, and other small items have been "tossed overboard" by spacewalking astronauts. The Roll Out Solar Panel test article was also ejected from the ISS after the deployment tests were completed.
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I would be extremely disappointed with the Chinese if they simply jettisoned their trash into open space.
EXTREMELY disappointed!
This has been done multiple times on the ISS. Old MMOD blankets, thermal covers, broken equipment, and other small items have been "tossed overboard" by spacewalking astronauts. The Roll Out Solar Panel test article was also ejected from the ISS after the deployment tests were completed.
I had no idea because the returning cargo spacecraft was always carrying a full load of trash for disposal. Shuttle did it, Soyuz did/does it and I've been assuming that Dragon did/does it. Disappointed.
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I would be extremely disappointed with the Chinese if they simply jettisoned their trash into open space.
EXTREMELY disappointed!
This has been done multiple times on the ISS. Old MMOD blankets, thermal covers, broken equipment, and other small items have been "tossed overboard" by spacewalking astronauts. The Roll Out Solar Panel test article was also ejected from the ISS after the deployment tests were completed.
I had no idea because the returning cargo spacecraft was always carrying a full load of trash for disposal. Shuttle did it, Soyuz did/does it and I've been assuming that Dragon did/does it. Disappointed.
Nanoracks have even designed a trash bag system to allow trash to be dumped overboard through their ISS Bishop Airlock, with a successful demo carried out in July last year.
See: https://nanoracks.com/nanoracks-bishop-airlock-enables-responsible-waste-disposal/ (https://nanoracks.com/nanoracks-bishop-airlock-enables-responsible-waste-disposal/)
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https://youtu.be/MX9zTlpORew
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As far as I know the Mengtian module is equipped with a micro-satellite in-orbit release mechanism. I found this philatelic enveloppe commemorating the release of small satellites from the Mengtian module. My Chinese friend told me that this event never happend and the cover remained un-postmarked. Unfortunately I do not know for which date the satellite release was planed. Do we have some more information?
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https://twitter.com/wulei2020/status/1645732090745589760
Hey guys. Taikonaut #YeGuangfu says welcome to China Space Station. Here comes my 1/4 of exclusive interview with Taikonaut Ye Guangfu of Shenzhou 13 manned mission. He spent 183 days in China's Space Station from Oct 2021 to April 2022. How is his training right now? Take a look
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https://twitter.com/wulei2020/status/1645767084490756097
There are countless unforgettable moments during #Shenzhou13 crews 183 days staying aboard China Space Station. For taikonaut Ye Guangfu, the most impressive one was his first spacewalk. He described what he had seen, felt and thought to me.
#HumanSpaceFlightDay
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twitter.com/cnspaceflight/status/1645836025976221700
👀 New episode: @TiangongStation China Space Station needs more storage!
https://twitter.com/cnspaceflight/status/1645838005553500160
Beautiful view of Earth through the porthole though, passing over Taklamakan Desert and Tibetan Plateau
-
https://youtu.be/s14eaKHlAgE
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I picked up an insider rumor that (https://m.weibo.cn/detail/4890580431668990) a 4th EVA by the Shenzhou 15 crew will be held/might be underway today. IIRC official reports after the 3rd EVA did state that there are still more planned before the crew returns to Earth so this would not be surprising.
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I picked up an insider rumor that (https://m.weibo.cn/detail/4890580431668990) a 4th EVA by the Shenzhou 15 crew will be held/might be underway today. IIRC official reports after the 3rd EVA did state that there are still more planned before the crew returns to Earth so this would not be surprising.
More rumors of this EVA (which is apparently underway or already completed): Deng Qingming was originally scheduled to be one of the spacewalkers but was ultimately replaced (i.e. Fei Junlong & Zhang Lu went out).
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https://twitter.com/aj_fi/status/1647542677758459905
CMSA confirms the 4th EVA of Shenzhou-15 mission took place yesterday, April 15. Astronauts Fei Junlong & Zhang Lu outside, Deng Qingming supporting from Tiangong. Combined robotic arms transferred the astros from wentian hatch to Mengtian payload hatch. mp.weixin.qq.com/s/OtzNED9d253L
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https://twitter.com/CNSpaceflight/status/1650752301047640070 (https://twitter.com/CNSpaceflight/status/1650752301047640070)
CMSA's steps to relocate Tianhe's solar arrays:
1️⃣ fold the flexible solar array back
2️⃣ astronauts remove 12 fasteners & 8 electrical connectors
3️⃣ robotic arm move the folded solar arrays to lab modules' ends
4️⃣ astronauts install controllers and connectors
5️⃣ re-deployment
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Completed CSS operation milestones:
2021
Apr. 29 at 3:23 UTC - launch of Tianhe on CZ-5B
May 29 at 12:55 UTC - launch of Tianzhou 2 on CZ-7
May 29 at 21:01 UTC - docking of Tianzhou 2 with aft port of Tianhe (+propellant transfer)
June 17 at 1:22 UTC - launch of Shenzhou 12 [Nie Haisheng, Liu Boming and Tang Hongbo] on CZ-2F/G
June 17 at 7:54 UTC - docking of Shenzhou 12 [Nie, Liu, Tang] with forward port of Tianhe
July 4 at 0:116:57 UTC - spacewalk (EVA-1) from Tianhe airlock (test of new space suits, installation of foot restraints, work platform and exterior panoramic camera, emergency return to airlock training) [Liu, Tang]
Aug. 20 at 0:386:33 UTC spacewalk (EVA-2) from Tianhe airlock (installation of external pump assembly, panoramic camera activation, foot restraints & extravehicular working platform installation on the robotic arm) [Nie, Liu]
Sep. 16 at 0:56 UTC - undocking of Shenzhou 12 from forward port of Tianhe (+rendezvous test at nadir port) [Nie, Liu, Tang]
Sep. 17 at 4:454:485:34 UTC - jettison of OM & deorbit burn & landing of Shenzhou 12 [Nie, Liu, Tang]
Sep. 18 at 2:25~6:25 UTC - undocking of Tianzhou 2 from aft port of Tianhe and docking with forward port of Tianhe (+propellant transfer testing)
Sep. 20 at 7:10 UTC - launch of Tianzhou 3 on CZ-7
Sep. 20 at 14:08 UTC - docking of Tianzhou 3 with aft port of Tianhe
Oct. 15 at 16:23 UTC - launch of Shenzhou 13 on CZ-2F/G [Zhai Zhigang, Wang Yaping, Ye Guangfu]
Oct. 15 at 22:56 UTC - docking of Shenzhou 13 with nadir port of Tianhe [Zhai, Wang, Ye]
Nov. 7 at 10:5117:16 UTC spacewalk (EVA-3) from Tianhe airlock (testing of new spacesuit, installation of robotic arm adapter/end effector) [Zhai, Wang]
Dec. 26 at 10:4416:55 UTC spacewalk (EVA-4) from Tianhe airlock (deployment of external camera platform C, object translation movement testing) [Zhai, Ye]
2022
Jan. 5 at 22:1222:59 UTC - robotic arm relocation testing of Tianzhou 2 (near port side port)
Jan. 7 at 21:5623:55 UTC - undocking & docking of Tianzhou 2 at forward port of Tianhe (manual docking test)
Mar. 27 at 7:59 UTC - undocking of Tianzhou 2 from forward port of Tianhe for EOM
Mar. 31 at 10:40 UTC - reentry of Tianzhou 2 over the South Pacific
Apr. 14 at 16:44 UTC - undocking of Shenzhou 13 from nadir port of Tianhe [Zhai, Wang, Ye]
Apr. 16 at 1:071:09~1:311:56 UTC - jettison of OM & deorbit burn & jettison of PM & landing of Shenzhou 13 [Zhai, Wang, Ye]
Apr. 19 at 21:0201:06 UTC - undocking of Tianzhou 3 from aft port & docking at forward port of Tianhe
May 10 at 17:56 UTC - launch of Tianzhou 4 on CZ-7
May 11 at 0:47 UTC - docking of Tianzhou 4 with aft port of Tianhe
June 5 at 2:44 UTC - launch of Shenzhou 14 on CZ-2F/G [Chen Dong, Liu Yang, Cai Xuzhe]
June 5 at 9:42 UTC - docking of Shenzhou 14 with nadir port of Tianhe [Chen, Liu, Cai]
July 17 at 2:59 UTC - undocking of Tianzhou 3 from forward port of Tianhe for EOM
July 24 at 6:22 UTC - launch of Wentian on CZ-5B
July 24 at 19:0819:13 UTC - (soft/hard) docking of Wentian at forward port of Tianhe
July 27 at 3:31 UTC - reentry of Tianzhou 3 over the South Pacific
Sep. 2 at 10:2616:33 UTC - spacewalk (EVA-5) from Wentian airlock (installation of coolant pump on Wentian, raising a panoramic camera and testing of the small robotic arm) [Chen, Liu]
Sep. 17 at 5:359:47 UTC - spacewalk (EVA-6) from Wentian airlock (installation of foot restraint B and an assisting hatch handle, installation of a circulating pump and demonstration of extravehicular emergency rescue procedures) [Chen, Cai]
Sep. 30 3:454:44 UTC - robotic relocation of Wentian from forward to starboard on Tianhe
Oct. 31 at 7:37 UTC - launch of Mengtian on CZ-5B
October 31 at 20:27 UTC - docking of Mengtian at forward port of Tianhe
Nov. 3 at 0:481:32 UTC - robotic relocation of Mengtian from forward to port on Tianhe
Nov. 9 at 6:55 UTC - undocking of Tianzhou 4 from aft port of Tianhe for EOM
Nov. 12 at 2:03 UTC - launch of Tianzhou 5 on CZ-7
Nov. 12 at 4:10 UTC - docking of Tianzhou 5 with aft port of Tianhe
Nov. 13 at 22:02 UTC - deployment of CubeSat Zhixing 3A (智星三号A, SmartSAT 3A) from Tianzhou 4
Nov. 14 23:21 UTC - Reentry of Tianzhou 4
Nov. 17 at 3:168:50 UTC - spacewalk (EVA-7) from Wentian airlock (installing an inter-module connecting device (handrail) and raising the Wentian panoramic camera A) [Chen, Cai]
Nov. 29 at 15:08 UTC - launch of Shenzhou 15 on CZ-2F/G [Fei, Deng, Zhang]
Nov. 29 at 21:41 UTC - docking of Shenzhou 15 with forward port of Tianhe [Fei, Deng, Zhang]
Dec. 4 at 3:01 UTC - undocking of Shenzhou 14 from nadir port of Tianhe
Dec. 4 at ~11:2011:22~11:4512:08 UTC - jettison of OM & deorbit burn & jettison of PM & landing of Shenzhou 14 [Chen, Liu, Cai]
Dec. 18 at 1:30 UTC - deployment of CubeSat XW 4 (CAS 10, Macau Student Science 1) from Tianzhou 5 external dispenser
2023
Feb. 9 at 9:1016:16 UTC - spacewalk (EVA-8) from Wentian airlock (installation of an external pump on Mengtian) [Fei, Zhang]
Feb. 28 - spacewalk (EVA-9) from Wentian airlock [Fei, Zhang]
Mar. 30 - spacewalk (EVA-10) from Wentian airlock [Fei, Zhang]
Apr. 15 - spacewalk (EVA-11) from Wentian airlock (installation of an external pump, laying inter-module cables and installation of a supporting bar for the exposed payloads platform) [Fei, Zhang]
May 5 at 7:26 UTC - undocking of Tianzhou 5 from aft port of Tianhe
May 10 at 13:22 UTC - launch of Tianzhou 6 on CZ-7
May 10 at 21:16 UTC - docking of Tianzhou 6 to aft port of Tianhe
May 30 at 1:31 UTC - launch of Shenzhou 16 on CZ-2F/G [Jing, Zhu, Gui]
May 30 at 8:29 UTC - docking of Shenzhou 16 to nadir port of Tianhe [Jing, Zhu, Gui]
June 3 at 13:29 UTC - undocking of Shenzhou 15 from forward port of Tianhe [Fei, Deng, Zhang]
June 3 at 21:4121:4322:0422:0722:1822:33 UTC - jettison of OM & deorbit burn & jettison of PM & reentry & parachute deployment & landing of Shenzhou 15 [Fei, Deng, Zhang]
June 5 at 19:10 UTC - docking of Tianzhou 5 with forward port of Tianhe
Guesstimated current timeline of upcoming CSS operations:
August? - undocking of Tianzhou 5 from forward port of Tianhe for EOM & reentry
Nov. 25 - launch of Shenzhou 17 on CZ-2F/G
Nov. 25 - docking of Shenzhou 17 to forward port of Tianhe
Nov. 30 - undocking & landing of Shenzhou 16 from nadir port of Tianhe [Jing, Zhu, Gui]
December? (NET) - undocking of Tianzhou 6 from aft port of Tianhe for EOM & reentry
2024
Early January? - undocking of Tianzhou 6 from aft port of Tianhe for EOM & reentry
January - launch of Tianzhou 7 on CZ-7
January - docking of Tianzhou 7 to aft port of Tianhe
June 12 - launch of Shenzhou 18 on CZ-2F/G
June 12 - docking of Shenzhou 18 to nadir port of Tianhe
June 17 - undocking from forward port of Tianhe & landing of Shenzhou 17
Dec. 26 - launch of Shenzhou 19 on CZ-2F/G
Dec. 26 - docking of Shenzhou 19 to forward port of Tianhe
Dec. 31 - undocking from nadir port of Tianhe & landing of Shenzhou 18
December (NET) - launch of Xuntian on CZ-5B
2025
July 16 - launch of Shenzhou 20 on CZ-2F/G
July 16 - docking of Shenzhou 20 to nadir port of Tianhe
July 21 - undocking from forward port of Tianhe & landing of Shenzhou 19
2026
Feb. 23 - undocking from nadir port of Tianhe & landing of Shenzhou 20
Corrections & input welcome!
Edit Apr. 26
Edit May 5
Edit May 10
Edit May 11
Edit May 19
Edit May 30
Edit June 5
Edit June 14
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https://twitter.com/XHNews/status/1656254187011993600?cxt=HHwWgMDTqY2amfwtAAAA
China has completed in-orbit experiments on liquid metal thermal management on its space station for the first time. The device, mounted on the country's space lab module Mengtian, is one of the space station's first five experiments on space technology http://xhtxs.cn/HHA
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https://twitter.com/cnsawatcher/status/1659442078512807938
😮Heres how equipment inside is moved outside of Tiangong Space Station (CSS): load on trail -> remotely slide to airlock -> depressurize -> open latch -> robotic arm pick up -> remote mounting. Whole process does not need astronauts EVA spacewalk. Full: buff.ly/43c7294
https://youtu.be/Vvly3Y3MRUw
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https://twitter.com/cnsawatcher/status/1659442078512807938
😮Heres how equipment inside is moved outside of Tiangong Space Station (CSS): load on trail -> remotely slide to airlock -> depressurize -> open latch -> robotic arm pick up -> remote mounting. Whole process does not need astronauts EVA spacewalk. Full: buff.ly/43c7294
https://youtu.be/Vvly3Y3MRUw
I believe this is also the first view of (actual operational hardware of) the Chinese native design of grapple fixture - i.e. not the Latching-End-Effector-like main arm manipulator or the Lyappa-like indexing arm. See attached PDF.
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China wants commercial resupply to their station at $17.2 million/metric ton!
3 month docking, 7 cubic meter 1.8 metric ton up, controlled disposal reentry with 2 metric ton of trash is the requirement
https://spacenews.com/china-calls-for-space-station-commercial-cargo-proposals/ (https://spacenews.com/china-calls-for-space-station-commercial-cargo-proposals/)
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https://twitter.com/cnsawatcher/status/1662696276708802562
😮Microgravity resistance training devices used for astronaut's upper/lower body & back muscle strength training at Tiangong Space Station (CSS), with treadmills, bikes, and resistance gear. Ensuring their health in orbit and mission success! Full HD: buff.ly/3WSLI6B
https://youtu.be/-h04-Y5vIk4
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https://twitter.com/cnsawatcher/status/1664165194925318147
😮Amazing high resolution shot of Tiangong Space Station (CSS) by @tzukran
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Here's an enhanced image.
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https://twitter.com/wulei2020/status/1664567180007202818
A handover ceremony was held at Chinas Tiangong Space Station on Friday .
#Shenzhou15 crew completed all the scheduled tasks and formally rotated with #Shenzhou16 crew. The Shenzhou-15 crew members will go back to Earth on #June4th.
(Photo Credit: OurSpace)
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https://youtu.be/MwOPJVUlIjA
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https://twitter.com/cnsawatcher/status/1665951455151374338
Tianzhou 5 cargo spacecraft re-docked with Tiangong Space Station (CSS) at UTC 19:10 June 5 after it undocked on May 5 and Shenzhou 15 returned back to earth on June 4. Full HD: buff.ly/3NbW5Pw
https://youtu.be/6cHUejggf2Q
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https://twitter.com/wulei2020/status/1666026160088809473
Why and how did #Tianzhou5 re-dock with the #ChinaSpaceStation?
Tianzhou-5 separated from #ChinaSpaceStation in May to leave room for #Tianzhou6.
Now #Shenzhou15 had gone, Tianzhou-5 re-docked with the station to offer room for #Shenzhou16 crew to restore their waste.
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https://youtu.be/tS-rJtlFHtw
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https://twitter.com/cnsawatcher/status/1669945290407772160
Space radiation biological device being moved from interior to exterior of Tiangong Space Station (CSS). This move marks the beginning of a long-term radiation experiment set to continue until 2028. Full HD: buff.ly/3NzjFWF
https://youtu.be/ua3NQeHTGaY
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https://youtu.be/5KtDJ_I7riA
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https://youtu.be/KsY3nqMo6uo
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https://twitter.com/wulei2020/status/1674271905774469121
A stunning view seen through the porthole of #ChinaSpaceStation.
This is the latest master piece taken by #Shenzhou16 crew.
Can you recognize these components such as the Shenzhou-16 space craft, Wentian Lab Module, Mengtian Lab Module and the small robotic arm?
#TiangongTVseries
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https://youtu.be/oaN-HrRP944
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https://youtu.be/NjxFc8ZpDUo
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https://twitter.com/SegerYu/status/1681602788352991233
CMSEO has officially reported the first (and per pervious reports, only) EVA planned for the Shenzhou 16 crew on the CSS will happen "soon".
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https://youtu.be/jyCgCD4CcR8
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#Shenzhou16 crew completed #first #spacewalk at 21:40pm (BJT) on Thursday.
The #EVAs lasted about 8 hours. They installed & lifted the bracket for panoramic camera B of core module, unlocked & lifted panoramic camera A/B of #Mengtian lab module.
https://twitter.com/wulei2020/status/1682033655110328322
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twitter.com/cnspaceflight/status/1682038785985626114
CMSA: Shenzhou-16 astronauts JING Haipeng (suit B, blue) and ZHU Yangzhu (suit C, yellow) completed an ~8 hour spacewalk at ~13:40UTC on July 20
https://twitter.com/cnspaceflight/status/1682044318587195392
This is Shenzhou-16's only spacewalk
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https://youtu.be/cBdGjFJjeoI
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twitter.com/Kosmo_Michal/status/1682429187280236545
Astronauts Jing Haipeng and Zhu Yangchu performed an ascent into free space from the Chinese space station yesterday between 07:45 and 15:40 CEST. At 7 hours and 55 minutes, it is still the longest EVA in the history of the Chinese space program.
https://twitter.com/Kosmo_Michal/status/1682429187280236545
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https://youtu.be/BkDkMJHfbAM
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https://twitter.com/Cosmic_Penguin/status/1682642742424526848
-
Completed CSS operation milestones:
2021
Apr. 29 at 3:23 UTC - launch of Tianhe on CZ-5B
May 29 at 12:55 UTC - launch of Tianzhou 2 on CZ-7
May 29 at 21:01 UTC - docking of Tianzhou 2 with aft port of Tianhe (+propellant transfer)
June 17 at 1:22 UTC - launch of Shenzhou 12 [Nie Haisheng, Liu Boming and Tang Hongbo] on CZ-2F/G
June 17 at 7:54 UTC - docking of Shenzhou 12 [Nie, Liu, Tang] with forward port of Tianhe
July 4 at 0:116:57 UTC - spacewalk (EVA-1) from Tianhe airlock (test of new space suits, installation of foot restraints, work platform and exterior panoramic camera, emergency return to airlock training) [Liu, Tang]
Aug. 20 at 0:386:33 UTC spacewalk (EVA-2) from Tianhe airlock (installation of external pump assembly, panoramic camera activation, foot restraints & extravehicular working platform installation on the robotic arm) [Nie, Liu]
Sep. 16 at 0:56 UTC - undocking of Shenzhou 12 from forward port of Tianhe (+rendezvous test at nadir port) [Nie, Liu, Tang]
Sep. 17 at 4:454:485:34 UTC - jettison of OM & deorbit burn & landing of Shenzhou 12 [Nie, Liu, Tang]
Sep. 18 at 2:25~6:25 UTC - undocking of Tianzhou 2 from aft port of Tianhe and docking with forward port of Tianhe (+propellant transfer testing)
Sep. 20 at 7:10 UTC - launch of Tianzhou 3 on CZ-7
Sep. 20 at 14:08 UTC - docking of Tianzhou 3 with aft port of Tianhe
Oct. 15 at 16:23 UTC - launch of Shenzhou 13 on CZ-2F/G [Zhai Zhigang, Wang Yaping, Ye Guangfu]
Oct. 15 at 22:56 UTC - docking of Shenzhou 13 with nadir port of Tianhe [Zhai, Wang, Ye]
Nov. 7 at 10:5117:16 UTC spacewalk (EVA-3) from Tianhe airlock (testing of new spacesuit, installation of robotic arm adapter/end effector) [Zhai, Wang]
Dec. 26 at 10:4416:55 UTC spacewalk (EVA-4) from Tianhe airlock (deployment of external camera platform C, object translation movement testing) [Zhai, Ye]
2022
Jan. 5 at 22:1222:59 UTC - robotic arm relocation testing of Tianzhou 2 (near port side port)
Jan. 7 at 21:5623:55 UTC - undocking & docking of Tianzhou 2 at forward port of Tianhe (manual docking test)
Mar. 27 at 7:59 UTC - undocking of Tianzhou 2 from forward port of Tianhe for EOM
Mar. 31 at 10:40 UTC - reentry of Tianzhou 2 over the South Pacific
Apr. 14 at 16:44 UTC - undocking of Shenzhou 13 from nadir port of Tianhe [Zhai, Wang, Ye]
Apr. 16 at 1:071:09~1:311:56 UTC - jettison of OM & deorbit burn & jettison of PM & landing of Shenzhou 13 [Zhai, Wang, Ye]
Apr. 19 at 21:0201:06 UTC - undocking of Tianzhou 3 from aft port & docking at forward port of Tianhe
May 10 at 17:56 UTC - launch of Tianzhou 4 on CZ-7
May 11 at 0:47 UTC - docking of Tianzhou 4 with aft port of Tianhe
June 5 at 2:44 UTC - launch of Shenzhou 14 on CZ-2F/G [Chen Dong, Liu Yang, Cai Xuzhe]
June 5 at 9:42 UTC - docking of Shenzhou 14 with nadir port of Tianhe [Chen, Liu, Cai]
July 17 at 2:59 UTC - undocking of Tianzhou 3 from forward port of Tianhe for EOM
July 24 at 6:22 UTC - launch of Wentian on CZ-5B
July 24 at 19:0819:13 UTC - (soft/hard) docking of Wentian at forward port of Tianhe
July 27 at 3:31 UTC - reentry of Tianzhou 3 over the South Pacific
Sep. 2 at 10:2616:33 UTC - spacewalk (EVA-5) from Wentian airlock (installation of coolant pump on Wentian, raising a panoramic camera and testing of the small robotic arm) [Chen, Liu]
Sep. 17 at 5:359:47 UTC - spacewalk (EVA-6) from Wentian airlock (installation of foot restraint B and an assisting hatch handle, installation of a circulating pump and demonstration of extravehicular emergency rescue procedures) [Chen, Cai]
Sep. 30 3:454:44 UTC - robotic relocation of Wentian from forward to starboard on Tianhe
Oct. 31 at 7:37 UTC - launch of Mengtian on CZ-5B
October 31 at 20:27 UTC - docking of Mengtian at forward port of Tianhe
Nov. 3 at 0:481:32 UTC - robotic relocation of Mengtian from forward to port on Tianhe
Nov. 9 at 6:55 UTC - undocking of Tianzhou 4 from aft port of Tianhe for EOM
Nov. 12 at 2:03 UTC - launch of Tianzhou 5 on CZ-7
Nov. 12 at 4:10 UTC - docking of Tianzhou 5 with aft port of Tianhe
Nov. 13 at 22:02 UTC - deployment of CubeSat Zhixing 3A (智星三号A, SmartSAT 3A) from Tianzhou 4
Nov. 14 at 23:21 UTC - reentry of Tianzhou 4
Nov. 17 at 3:168:50 UTC - spacewalk (EVA-7) from Wentian airlock (installing an inter-module connecting device (handrail) and raising the Wentian panoramic camera A) [Chen, Cai]
Nov. 29 at 15:08 UTC - launch of Shenzhou 15 on CZ-2F/G [Fei, Deng, Zhang]
Nov. 29 at 21:41 UTC - docking of Shenzhou 15 with forward port of Tianhe [Fei, Deng, Zhang]
Dec. 4 at 3:01 UTC - undocking of Shenzhou 14 from nadir port of Tianhe
Dec. 4 at ~11:2011:22~11:4512:08 UTC - jettison of OM & deorbit burn & jettison of PM & landing of Shenzhou 14 [Chen, Liu, Cai]
Dec. 18 at 1:30 UTC - deployment of CubeSat XW 4 (CAS 10, Macau Student Science 1) from Tianzhou 5 external dispenser
2023
Feb. 9 at 9:1016:16 UTC - spacewalk (EVA-8) from Wentian airlock (installation of an external pump on Mengtian) [Fei, Zhang]
Feb. 28 - spacewalk (EVA-9) from Wentian airlock [Fei, Zhang]
Mar. 30 - spacewalk (EVA-10) from Wentian airlock [Fei, Zhang]
Apr. 15 - spacewalk (EVA-11) from Wentian airlock (installation of an external pump, laying inter-module cables and installation of a supporting bar for the exposed payloads platform) [Fei, Zhang]
May 5 at 7:26 UTC - undocking of Tianzhou 5 from aft port of Tianhe
May 10 at 13:22 UTC - launch of Tianzhou 6 on CZ-7
May 10 at 21:16 UTC - docking of Tianzhou 6 to aft port of Tianhe
May 30 at 1:31 UTC - launch of Shenzhou 16 on CZ-2F/G [Jing, Zhu, Gui]
May 30 at 8:29 UTC - docking of Shenzhou 16 to nadir port of Tianhe [Jing, Zhu, Gui]
June 3 at 13:29 UTC - undocking of Shenzhou 15 from forward port of Tianhe [Fei, Deng, Zhang]
June 3 at 21:4121:4322:0422:0722:1822:33 UTC - jettison of OM & deorbit burn & jettison of PM & reentry & parachute deployment & landing of Shenzhou 15 [Fei, Deng, Zhang]
June 5 at 19:10 UTC - docking of Tianzhou 5 with forward port of Tianhe
July 20 at ~5:4013:40 - spacewalk (EVA-12) from Wentian airlock (deployment of external panoramic cameras B on Tianhe and A&B on Mengtian) [Jing, Zhu]
Sep. 11 at 8:46 UTC - undocking of Tianzhou 5 from forward port of Tianhe for EOM & reentry
Sep. 12 at 1:13 UTC - reentry of Tianzhou 5
Guesstimated current timeline of upcoming CSS operations:
Oct. 26 at 3:13 UTC - launch of Shenzhou 17 on CZ-2F/G [Tang Hongbo, Tang Shengjie, Jiang Xinlin]
Oct. 26 at ~10:00 UTC - docking of Shenzhou 17 to forward port of Tianhe [Tang, Tang, Jiang]
Nov. 4 - undocking & landing of Shenzhou 16 from nadir port of Tianhe [Jing, Zhu, Gui]
2024
March (NET) - undocking of Tianzhou 6 from aft port of Tianhe for EOM & reentry
March? - launch of Tianzhou 7 on CZ-7
March? - docking of Tianzhou 7 to aft port of Tianhe
June 12 - launch of Shenzhou 18 on CZ-2F/G
June 12 - docking of Shenzhou 18 to nadir port of Tianhe
June 17 - undocking from forward port of Tianhe & landing of Shenzhou 17 [Tang, Tang, Jiang]
Dec. 26 - launch of Shenzhou 19 on CZ-2F/G
Dec. 26 - docking of Shenzhou 19 to forward port of Tianhe
Dec. 31 - undocking from nadir port of Tianhe & landing of Shenzhou 18
December (NET) - launch of Xuntian on CZ-5B
2025
July 16 - launch of Shenzhou 20 on CZ-2F/G
July 16 - docking of Shenzhou 20 to nadir port of Tianhe
July 21 - undocking from forward port of Tianhe & landing of Shenzhou 19
2026
Feb. 23 - undocking from nadir port of Tianhe & landing of Shenzhou 20
Corrections & input welcome!
Edit July 25
Edit Aug. 30
Edit Sep. 29
Edit Oct. 19
Edit Oct. 24
Edit Oct. 25
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twitter.com/tiangongstation/status/1684111271531266048
Exercising in Space
Shenzhou-16
https://twitter.com/tiangongstation/status/1684111845228154881
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https://twitter.com/cnspaceflight/status/1684769266934108160
Gorgeous view from China Space Station after Shenzhou-16 astronauts adjusting the cameras
(c) CMSA
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https://youtu.be/rSCJFK5UvkE
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https://youtu.be/W0puqw-l7RI
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https://youtu.be/Xir1vZdxd_w
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https://twitter.com/cnspaceflight/status/1691864237860348388
Shenzhou-15 astronauts revealed that they installed an instrument with 20 plugs during their 2nd and most secret spacewalk.
In the 3rd spacewalk, they connected inter-module cables.
mp.weixin.qq.com/s/ndzpR-o9iYPc
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https://youtu.be/rX2Fvf-uKKU
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https://youtu.be/HJOzY6LgXaU
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https://youtu.be/HJOzY6LgXaU
Is this the deploy of XW-4 back in December? Or a new cubesat deployment?
Edit: the accompanying text says "a few days ago..." and a related weibo post shows this image
Further edit: Actually text says 日前 which apparently can just mean 'recently', so could be the December deploy.
But Dalian should be deployed sometime soon, maybe?
-
A member in the German forum has written something about this.
https://forum.raumfahrer.net/index.php?topic=11795.msg552861#msg552861
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Edit: the accompanying text says "a few days ago..." and a related weibo post shows this image
The video shows the satellite being square shaped along its longitudinal axis, while the photo shows hexagonal. I think they are different satellites.
-
https://twitter.com/cnspaceflight/status/1694577255383740495
Shenzhou-16 crew have a veggie garden in a box
-
https://youtu.be/5DHh6a8Ks0g
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https://twitter.com/cnspaceflight/status/1695792220639785143
Robotic arm on China Space Station
by astronaut DENG Qingming
-
I have to say that the Chinese space program is pretty impressive.
-
https://twitter.com/cnspaceflight/status/1696753957664870568
🎶 🚨 Shenzhou-16 crew do the cleanup in China Space Station
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https://youtu.be/6HifAkxOoqU
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https://youtu.be/xbh1zUld_c4
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https://twitter.com/aj_fi/status/1701231905365004690
Tianzhou-5 undocked from the Tiangong space station at 0846 UTC today and entered interdependent flight mode, according to CMSA. TZ-5 will be deorbited over the South Pacific Sept. 12 (Beijing time). mp.weixin.qq.com/s/TM7Zj1ezunnp
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https://twitter.com/byspto/status/1702447775630106644
CSS after the departure of Tianzhou-5. Shot yesterday morning, Beijing, China. Celestron C14HD + QHY5III715C. PIPP+Autostakkert!3+ImPPG. Funded by Zhihu.com #LightHouseProject.
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https://twitter.com/tiangongstation/status/1702559325070540957
Watch Shenzhou-16 astronauts gardening in space
https://youtu.be/Di736D6U-UA
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https://twitter.com/wulei2020/status/1703596737846444218
How do astronauts clean up their home in space?
The new episode of #TiangongTVseries shows the scenes of before and after a general cleaning at #ChinaSpaceStation. Click on this.
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Is this a first in human spaceflight? Both the specific action of lighting matches and candles in a space station, and in general having open flames with no particular protections around in a habitable environment.
By the way: not sure what they're explaining, but it's quite cool to see even very feeble drafts combined with -I presume- capillary action of the wax up the wig are enough to keep the candle flame alive and well apparently continuously, even if it's visibly more spherical as could be expected from the lack of buoyancy, and feebler when it's allowed to quiet down, due to the depletion of oxygen around it.
https://twitter.com/SegerYu/status/1704774667616366821
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Interesting to watch the properties of an open flame in zero gravity.
-
I'm not sure if an actual candle was lit on ISS, but there was an experiment with a wick that showed the ball type flame.
https://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2013/18jun_strangeflames
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There was a fire on Mir.
-
I'm not sure if an actual candle was lit on ISS, but there was an experiment with a wick that showed the ball type flame.
https://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2013/18jun_strangeflames
Looks like this was on MIR
https://youtu.be/Gecui7ygtjY?si=cKr6i_kbyWgx2r43
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https://youtu.be/pOtY91GeJ7Y
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https://twitter.com/cnsawatcher/status/1705839770427936894
😮Conservation of momentum experiments in space. Education video from Shenzhou 16 astronauts at Tiangong Space Station (CSS). Full: buff.ly/3PRebb1
https://youtu.be/qFiYURQ0b7k
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https://youtu.be/DVJEdvofCSw
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https://youtu.be/eJ4tWggfnNc
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https://youtu.be/5SP8uPJLvhQ
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https://twitter.com/planet4589/status/1712471776687735281
From the latest TLEs it looks like the Chinese Space Station did a significant orbit reboost around 0830 UTC Oct 11, probably using the engines of the Tianzhou-6 freighter. Delta-V about 5.5m/s, about 200 kg of prop, raising orbit by 9 km. Last big CSS reboost was May 14.
-
https://twitter.com/cnsawatcher/status/1712725135998754952
Photography of latest Tiangong Space Station (CSS) configuration by @byspto
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https://twitter.com/wulei2020/status/1716652970891485252
Thanks to the #SpaceGardens, #Shenzhou16 crew have a menu of fresh vegetables including lettuces, scallions and cherry tomatoes.
The two cultivation devices onboard the #Tiangong can automatically configure the appropriate temperature, humidity and nutrition.
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https://twitter.com/raz_liu/status/1716988775740641454
https://twitter.com/raz_liu/status/1716996805739856068
(Both from todays Shenzhou 17 press conference)
According to the speaker, the CSS was hit by small space debris which caused some (small) damage on the solar panels. The damage is predicted and controllable.
The CSS will add one module to make it from "T" shape to "cross" shape at "a suitable time" in the future.
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Completed CSS operation milestones:
2021
Apr. 29 at 3:23 UTC - launch of Tianhe on CZ-5B
May 29 at 12:55 UTC - launch of Tianzhou 2 on CZ-7
May 29 at 21:01 UTC - docking of Tianzhou 2 with aft port of Tianhe (+propellant transfer)
June 17 at 1:22 UTC - launch of Shenzhou 12 [Nie Haisheng, Liu Boming and Tang Hongbo] on CZ-2F/G
June 17 at 7:54 UTC - docking of Shenzhou 12 [Nie, Liu, Tang] with forward port of Tianhe
July 4 at 0:116:57 UTC - spacewalk (EVA-1) from Tianhe airlock (test of new space suits, installation of foot restraints, work platform and exterior panoramic camera, emergency return to airlock training) [Liu, Tang]
Aug. 20 at 0:386:33 UTC spacewalk (EVA-2) from Tianhe airlock (installation of external pump assembly, panoramic camera activation, foot restraints & extravehicular working platform installation on the robotic arm) [Nie, Liu]
Sep. 16 at 0:56 UTC - undocking of Shenzhou 12 from forward port of Tianhe (+rendezvous test at nadir port) [Nie, Liu, Tang]
Sep. 17 at 4:454:485:34 UTC - jettison of OM & deorbit burn & landing of Shenzhou 12 [Nie, Liu, Tang]
Sep. 18 at 2:25~6:25 UTC - undocking of Tianzhou 2 from aft port of Tianhe and docking with forward port of Tianhe (+propellant transfer testing)
Sep. 20 at 7:10 UTC - launch of Tianzhou 3 on CZ-7
Sep. 20 at 14:08 UTC - docking of Tianzhou 3 with aft port of Tianhe
Oct. 15 at 16:23 UTC - launch of Shenzhou 13 on CZ-2F/G [Zhai Zhigang, Wang Yaping, Ye Guangfu]
Oct. 15 at 22:56 UTC - docking of Shenzhou 13 with nadir port of Tianhe [Zhai, Wang, Ye]
Nov. 7 at 10:5117:16 UTC spacewalk (EVA-3) from Tianhe airlock (testing of new spacesuit, installation of robotic arm adapter/end effector) [Zhai, Wang]
Dec. 26 at 10:4416:55 UTC spacewalk (EVA-4) from Tianhe airlock (deployment of external camera platform C, object translation movement testing) [Zhai, Ye]
2022
Jan. 5 at 22:1222:59 UTC - robotic arm relocation testing of Tianzhou 2 (near port side port)
Jan. 7 at 21:5623:55 UTC - undocking & docking of Tianzhou 2 at forward port of Tianhe (manual docking test)
Mar. 27 at 7:59 UTC - undocking of Tianzhou 2 from forward port of Tianhe for EOM
Mar. 31 at 10:40 UTC - reentry of Tianzhou 2 over the South Pacific
Apr. 14 at 16:44 UTC - undocking of Shenzhou 13 from nadir port of Tianhe [Zhai, Wang, Ye]
Apr. 16 at 1:071:09~1:311:56 UTC - jettison of OM & deorbit burn & jettison of PM & landing of Shenzhou 13 [Zhai, Wang, Ye]
Apr. 19 at 21:0201:06 UTC - undocking of Tianzhou 3 from aft port & docking at forward port of Tianhe
May 10 at 17:56 UTC - launch of Tianzhou 4 on CZ-7
May 11 at 0:47 UTC - docking of Tianzhou 4 with aft port of Tianhe
June 5 at 2:44 UTC - launch of Shenzhou 14 on CZ-2F/G [Chen Dong, Liu Yang, Cai Xuzhe]
June 5 at 9:42 UTC - docking of Shenzhou 14 with nadir port of Tianhe [Chen, Liu, Cai]
July 17 at 2:59 UTC - undocking of Tianzhou 3 from forward port of Tianhe for EOM
July 24 at 6:22 UTC - launch of Wentian on CZ-5B
July 24 at 19:0819:13 UTC - (soft/hard) docking of Wentian at forward port of Tianhe
July 27 at 3:31 UTC - reentry of Tianzhou 3 over the South Pacific
Sep. 2 at 10:2616:33 UTC - spacewalk (EVA-5) from Wentian airlock (installation of coolant pump on Wentian, raising a panoramic camera and testing of the small robotic arm) [Chen, Liu]
Sep. 17 at 5:359:47 UTC - spacewalk (EVA-6) from Wentian airlock (installation of foot restraint B and an assisting hatch handle, installation of a circulating pump and demonstration of extravehicular emergency rescue procedures) [Chen, Cai]
Sep. 30 3:454:44 UTC - robotic relocation of Wentian from forward to starboard on Tianhe
Oct. 31 at 7:37 UTC - launch of Mengtian on CZ-5B
October 31 at 20:27 UTC - docking of Mengtian at forward port of Tianhe
Nov. 3 at 0:481:32 UTC - robotic relocation of Mengtian from forward to port on Tianhe
Nov. 9 at 6:55 UTC - undocking of Tianzhou 4 from aft port of Tianhe for EOM
Nov. 12 at 2:03 UTC - launch of Tianzhou 5 on CZ-7
Nov. 12 at 4:10 UTC - docking of Tianzhou 5 with aft port of Tianhe
Nov. 13 at 22:02 UTC - deployment of CubeSat Zhixing 3A (智星三号A, SmartSAT 3A) from Tianzhou 4
Nov. 14 at 23:21 UTC - reentry of Tianzhou 4
Nov. 17 at 3:168:50 UTC - spacewalk (EVA-7) from Wentian airlock (installing an inter-module connecting device (handrail) and raising the Wentian panoramic camera A) [Chen, Cai]
Nov. 29 at 15:08 UTC - launch of Shenzhou 15 on CZ-2F/G [Fei, Deng, Zhang]
Nov. 29 at 21:41 UTC - docking of Shenzhou 15 with forward port of Tianhe [Fei, Deng, Zhang]
Dec. 4 at 3:01 UTC - undocking of Shenzhou 14 from nadir port of Tianhe
Dec. 4 at ~11:2011:22~11:4512:08 UTC - jettison of OM & deorbit burn & jettison of PM & landing of Shenzhou 14 [Chen, Liu, Cai]
Dec. 18 at 1:30 UTC - deployment of CubeSat XW 4 (CAS 10, Macau Student Science 1) from Tianzhou 5 external dispenser
2023
Feb. 9 at 9:1016:16 UTC - spacewalk (EVA-8) from Wentian airlock (installation of an external pump on Mengtian) [Fei, Zhang]
Feb. 28 - spacewalk (EVA-9) from Wentian airlock [Fei, Zhang]
Mar. 30 - spacewalk (EVA-10) from Wentian airlock [Fei, Zhang]
Apr. 15 - spacewalk (EVA-11) from Wentian airlock (installation of an external pump, laying inter-module cables and installation of a supporting bar for the exposed payloads platform) [Fei, Zhang]
May 5 at 7:26 UTC - undocking of Tianzhou 5 from aft port of Tianhe
May 10 at 13:22 UTC - launch of Tianzhou 6 on CZ-7
May 10 at 21:16 UTC - docking of Tianzhou 6 to aft port of Tianhe
May 30 at 1:31 UTC - launch of Shenzhou 16 on CZ-2F/G [Jing, Zhu, Gui]
May 30 at 8:29 UTC - docking of Shenzhou 16 to nadir port of Tianhe [Jing, Zhu, Gui]
June 3 at 13:29 UTC - undocking of Shenzhou 15 from forward port of Tianhe [Fei, Deng, Zhang]
June 3 at 21:4121:4322:0422:0722:1822:33 UTC - jettison of OM & deorbit burn & jettison of PM & reentry & parachute deployment & landing of Shenzhou 15 [Fei, Deng, Zhang]
June 5 at 19:10 UTC - docking of Tianzhou 5 with forward port of Tianhe
July 20 at ~5:4013:40 - spacewalk (EVA-12) from Wentian airlock (deployment of external panoramic cameras B on Tianhe and A&B on Mengtian) [Jing, Zhu]
Sep. 11 at 8:46 UTC - undocking of Tianzhou 5 from forward port of Tianhe for EOM & reentry
Sep. 12 at 1:13 UTC - reentry of Tianzhou 5
Oct. 26 at 3:14 UTC - launch of Shenzhou 17 on CZ-2F/G [Tang Hongbo, Tang Shengjie, Jiang Xinlin]
Oct. 26 at 9:46 UTC - docking of Shenzhou 17 to forward port of Tianhe [Tang, Tang, Jiang]
Oct. 30 at 12:37 UTC - undocking of Shenzhou 16 from nadir port of Tianhe [Jing, Zhu, Gui]
Oct. 30 at 23:2123:2223:48~23:5123:570:11 UTC - jettison of OM & deorbit burn & jettison of PM & reentry & parachute deployment & landing of Shenzhou 16 [Jing, Zhu, Gui]
Dec. 21 at 6:1013:35 - spacewalk (EVA-13) from Wentian airlock (repair of a Tianhe module solar array damaged by micrometeor strikes) [Tang, Tang]
2024
Jan. 12 at 8:02 UTC - undocking of Tianzhou 6 from aft port of Tianhe for EOM & reentry
Jan. 19? - reentry of Tianzhou 6
Guesstimated current timeline of upcoming CSS operations:
Jan. 17 at 14:27 UTC - launch of Tianzhou 7 on CZ-7
Jan. 17 at ~17:30 - docking of Tianzhou 7 to aft port of Tianhe
Mar. 23 - launch of Shenzhou 18 on CZ-2F/G
Mar. 23 - docking of Shenzhou 18 to nadir port of Tianhe
Mar. 28 - undocking from forward port of Tianhe & landing of Shenzhou 17 [Tang, Tang, Jiang]
Aug. 19 - launch of Shenzhou 19 on CZ-2F/G
Aug. 19 - docking of Shenzhou 19 to forward port of Tianhe
Aug. 24 - undocking from nadir port of Tianhe & landing of Shenzhou 18
Sep. 27 - undocking of Tianzhou 7 from aft port of Tianhe for EOM & reentry
Sep. 30 - launch of Tianzhou 8 on CZ-7
Sep. 30 - docking of Tianzhou 8 to aft port of Tianhe
December (NET) - launch of Xuntian on CZ-5B
2025
Jan. 15 - launch of Shenzhou 20 on CZ-2F/G
Jan. 15 - docking of Shenzhou 20 to nadir port of Tianhe
Jan. 20 - undocking from forward port of Tianhe & landing of Shenzhou 19
May 28 - undocking of Tianzhou 8 from aft port of Tianhe for EOM & reentry
May 31 - launch of Tianzhou 9 on CZ-7
May 31 - docking of Tianzhou 9 to aft port of Tianhe
June 18 - undocking from nadir port of Tianhe & landing of Shenzhou 20
2026
Jan. 26 - undocking of Tianzhou 9 from aft port of Tianhe for EOM & reentry
Jan. 31 - launch of Tianzhou 10 on CZ-7
Jan. 31 - docking of Tianzhou 10 to aft port of Tianhe
2027
Late 2027? - launch of multipurpose module on CZ-5B
2033
Early 2033? - launch of science module on CZ-5B
Late 2033? - launch of science module on CZ-5B
Corrections & input welcome!
Edit Oct. 27
Edit Oct. 30
Edit Nov. 7
Edit Dec. 20
Edit Dec. 28
Edit Jan. 15
Edit Jan. 17
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https://twitter.com/wulei2020/status/1718635168640975004
The #Shenzhou16 and #Shenzhou17 completed in-orbit handover on Sunday.
The Shenzhou-16 astronaut crew has completed all scheduled tasks and will return to the #Dongfeng Landing Site on October 31.
-
https://twitter.com/wulei2020/status/1718809878381122019
#Shenzhou16 crew, thank you for your hard work!
#Shenzhou17 crew, wish everything go well during your stay in orbit!
An in-orbit handover ceremony was held at #Tiangong on Sunday. The Shenzhou-16 crew will return to Earth tomorrow.
Edit to add:
https://youtu.be/Npbfu-FDcG4
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https://twitter.com/cnsawatcher/status/1721437625293095157
Mengtian module of Tiangong Space Station (CSS) has the release mechanism to deploy microsatellites up to 200kg with high precision and supports a range of satellite sizes for combined releases in orbit. Source: buff.ly/3QLj6KU
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https://youtu.be/V1M-WhN-ukc
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https://twitter.com/cnsawatcher/status/1723611844613460126
CNSA aims to double the Shenzhou spacecraft's return capacity soon, boosting Tiangong station's efficiency. Future plans include adapting Shenzhou for cargo transport from space to Earth, using existing facilities to save costs and improve logistics. buff.ly/3QyFeXt
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https://youtu.be/_q7ecCoPytA
-
https://twitter.com/cnspaceflight/status/1726071533234540598
CMSA revealed the official picks of the mission patches for 4 China Space Station launches next year: Tianzhou-7/8 & Shenzhou-18/19
-
https://youtu.be/mN5CioT6h3Y
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https://youtu.be/NF0w7036zN8
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https://twitter.com/wulei2020/status/1728995952542015995
The #Shenzhou17 crew enjoy watching television while having meals at the dinning area. Taikonaut #TangHongbo took a bite of the fresh vegetables in the #spacestation.
-
Shenzhou 16 crew's CSS fly-around photos taken post-undocking on October 30 are now out: (https://m.weibo.cn/detail/4973092030122684)
-
https://youtu.be/jC8Amg4hLvs
-
https://youtu.be/LRVoIcYznOw
-
https://twitter.com/wulei2020/status/1734822485156356521
Follow Shenzhou-17 taikonaut Tang Shengjie to explore China Space Station!
#TiangongTVseries #Season6
-
https://youtu.be/LJSe9xtxNmc
-
https://youtu.be/bfVGvWSSxLE
-
EVA upcoming:
https://twitter.com/CNSpaceflight/status/1737478393833140589
-
EVA preparations:
https://youtu.be/yS1ND-8A0ew
-
https://twitter.com/wulei2020/status/1737833771527962692
Congratulations to Shenzhou 17 crew for their first space walk, which last 7.5 hours. They completed solar wing repair test of the Tianhe core module. Tang Hongbo walked in space again after two years, and Tang Shengjie became China's youngest taikonaut to have space walk so far
-
https://twitter.com/aj_fi/status/1737842167446733306
Shenzhou-17: Astronauts Tang Hongbo and Tang Shengjie returned to Tiangong at 1335 UTC today after a 7.5-hour extravehicular activity. Tasks included repairing a Tianhe module solar array damaged by micrometeor strikes. mp.weixin.qq.com/s/zzMr1dDRlvAZ
-
https://twitter.com/wulei2020/status/1737891270981484606
Watch the #Shenzhou17 crew's #first spacewalk on Dec. 21, 2023!
(Footage courtesy: CMSA/CMG)
-
From the footage it seems they were *testing* SAW repair techniques, not actually performing them.
-
https://twitter.com/segeryu/status/1739198782070518116
The China Space Station carried out a small orbital lift last night~
According to orbital data released by both parties
-
https://twitter.com/wulei2020/status/1739201962716127661
A short documentary about the #Shenzhou17 crew's first spacewalk on Dec.21. More #details released!
#TiangongTVseries #Season6
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https://twitter.com/segeryu/status/1739957303514964180
According to the latest orbit forecast released by the China Manned Space Engineering Office at 16:00 today, the China Space Station plans to implement an orbital lift of about 5 km on December 29~
-
https://youtu.be/nAvj74HJGxc
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https://twitter.com/wulei2020/status/1741470790581657955
#Lettuce, #cherrytomatoes..... the vegetables are growing well at #ChinaSpaceStation!
#SpaceGarden
-
https://youtu.be/r0YDwosXXUQ
-
https://twitter.com/cnsawatcher/status/1742456179777835033
Shenzhou-17 crew rings in 2024 at Tiangong Space Station (CSS), enhancing their orbiting home with features like a space garden. Follow their journey and space progress in the new year. Full HD:
https://youtu.be/pmprOE8paFE
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Completed CSS operation milestones:
2021
Apr. 29 at 3:23 UTC - launch of Tianhe on CZ-5B
May 29 at 12:55 UTC - launch of Tianzhou 2 on CZ-7
May 29 at 21:01 UTC - docking of Tianzhou 2 with aft port of Tianhe (+propellant transfer)
June 17 at 1:22 UTC - launch of Shenzhou 12 [Nie Haisheng, Liu Boming and Tang Hongbo] on CZ-2F/G
June 17 at 7:54 UTC - docking of Shenzhou 12 [Nie, Liu, Tang] with forward port of Tianhe
July 4 at 0:116:57 UTC - spacewalk (EVA-1) from Tianhe airlock (test of new space suits, installation of foot restraints, work platform and exterior panoramic camera, emergency return to airlock training) [Liu, Tang]
Aug. 20 at 0:386:33 UTC spacewalk (EVA-2) from Tianhe airlock (installation of external pump assembly, panoramic camera activation, foot restraints & extravehicular working platform installation on the robotic arm) [Nie, Liu]
Sep. 16 at 0:56 UTC - undocking of Shenzhou 12 from forward port of Tianhe (+rendezvous test at nadir port) [Nie, Liu, Tang]
Sep. 17 at 4:454:485:34 UTC - jettison of OM & deorbit burn & landing of Shenzhou 12 [Nie, Liu, Tang]
Sep. 18 at 2:25~6:25 UTC - undocking of Tianzhou 2 from aft port of Tianhe and docking with forward port of Tianhe (+propellant transfer testing)
Sep. 20 at 7:10 UTC - launch of Tianzhou 3 on CZ-7
Sep. 20 at 14:08 UTC - docking of Tianzhou 3 with aft port of Tianhe
Oct. 15 at 16:23 UTC - launch of Shenzhou 13 on CZ-2F/G [Zhai Zhigang, Wang Yaping, Ye Guangfu]
Oct. 15 at 22:56 UTC - docking of Shenzhou 13 with nadir port of Tianhe [Zhai, Wang, Ye]
Nov. 7 at 10:5117:16 UTC spacewalk (EVA-3) from Tianhe airlock (testing of new spacesuit, installation of robotic arm adapter/end effector) [Zhai, Wang]
Dec. 26 at 10:4416:55 UTC spacewalk (EVA-4) from Tianhe airlock (deployment of external camera platform C, object translation movement testing) [Zhai, Ye]
2022
Jan. 5 at 22:1222:59 UTC - robotic arm relocation testing of Tianzhou 2 (near port side port)
Jan. 7 at 21:5623:55 UTC - undocking & docking of Tianzhou 2 at forward port of Tianhe (manual docking test)
Mar. 27 at 7:59 UTC - undocking of Tianzhou 2 from forward port of Tianhe for EOM
Mar. 31 at 10:40 UTC - reentry of Tianzhou 2 over the South Pacific
Apr. 14 at 16:44 UTC - undocking of Shenzhou 13 from nadir port of Tianhe [Zhai, Wang, Ye]
Apr. 16 at 1:071:09~1:311:56 UTC - jettison of OM & deorbit burn & jettison of PM & landing of Shenzhou 13 [Zhai, Wang, Ye]
Apr. 19 at 21:0201:06 UTC - undocking of Tianzhou 3 from aft port & docking at forward port of Tianhe
May 10 at 17:56 UTC - launch of Tianzhou 4 on CZ-7
May 11 at 0:47 UTC - docking of Tianzhou 4 with aft port of Tianhe
June 5 at 2:44 UTC - launch of Shenzhou 14 on CZ-2F/G [Chen Dong, Liu Yang, Cai Xuzhe]
June 5 at 9:42 UTC - docking of Shenzhou 14 with nadir port of Tianhe [Chen, Liu, Cai]
July 17 at 2:59 UTC - undocking of Tianzhou 3 from forward port of Tianhe for EOM
July 24 at 6:22 UTC - launch of Wentian on CZ-5B
July 24 at 19:0819:13 UTC - (soft/hard) docking of Wentian at forward port of Tianhe
July 27 at 3:31 UTC - reentry of Tianzhou 3 over the South Pacific
Sep. 2 at 10:2616:33 UTC - spacewalk (EVA-5) from Wentian airlock (installation of coolant pump on Wentian, raising a panoramic camera and testing of the small robotic arm) [Chen, Liu]
Sep. 17 at 5:359:47 UTC - spacewalk (EVA-6) from Wentian airlock (installation of foot restraint B and an assisting hatch handle, installation of a circulating pump and demonstration of extravehicular emergency rescue procedures) [Chen, Cai]
Sep. 30 3:454:44 UTC - robotic relocation of Wentian from forward to starboard on Tianhe
Oct. 31 at 7:37 UTC - launch of Mengtian on CZ-5B
October 31 at 20:27 UTC - docking of Mengtian at forward port of Tianhe
Nov. 3 at 0:481:32 UTC - robotic relocation of Mengtian from forward to port on Tianhe
Nov. 9 at 6:55 UTC - undocking of Tianzhou 4 from aft port of Tianhe for EOM
Nov. 12 at 2:03 UTC - launch of Tianzhou 5 on CZ-7
Nov. 12 at 4:10 UTC - docking of Tianzhou 5 with aft port of Tianhe
Nov. 13 at 22:02 UTC - deployment of CubeSat Zhixing 3A (智星三号A, SmartSAT 3A) from Tianzhou 4
Nov. 14 at 23:21 UTC - reentry of Tianzhou 4
Nov. 17 at 3:168:50 UTC - spacewalk (EVA-7) from Wentian airlock (installing an inter-module connecting device (handrail) and raising the Wentian panoramic camera A) [Chen, Cai]
Nov. 29 at 15:08 UTC - launch of Shenzhou 15 on CZ-2F/G [Fei, Deng, Zhang]
Nov. 29 at 21:41 UTC - docking of Shenzhou 15 with forward port of Tianhe [Fei, Deng, Zhang]
Dec. 4 at 3:01 UTC - undocking of Shenzhou 14 from nadir port of Tianhe
Dec. 4 at ~11:2011:22~11:4512:08 UTC - jettison of OM & deorbit burn & jettison of PM & landing of Shenzhou 14 [Chen, Liu, Cai]
Dec. 18 at 1:30 UTC - deployment of CubeSat XW 4 (CAS 10, Macau Student Science 1) from Tianzhou 5 external dispenser
2023
Feb. 9 at 9:1016:16 UTC - spacewalk (EVA-8) from Wentian airlock (installation of an external pump on Mengtian) [Fei, Zhang]
Feb. 28 - spacewalk (EVA-9) from Wentian airlock [Fei, Zhang]
Mar. 30 - spacewalk (EVA-10) from Wentian airlock [Fei, Zhang]
Apr. 15 - spacewalk (EVA-11) from Wentian airlock (installation of an external pump, laying inter-module cables and installation of a supporting bar for the exposed payloads platform) [Fei, Zhang]
May 5 at 7:26 UTC - undocking of Tianzhou 5 from aft port of Tianhe
May 10 at 13:22 UTC - launch of Tianzhou 6 on CZ-7
May 10 at 21:16 UTC - docking of Tianzhou 6 to aft port of Tianhe
May 30 at 1:31 UTC - launch of Shenzhou 16 on CZ-2F/G [Jing, Zhu, Gui]
May 30 at 8:29 UTC - docking of Shenzhou 16 to nadir port of Tianhe [Jing, Zhu, Gui]
June 3 at 13:29 UTC - undocking of Shenzhou 15 from forward port of Tianhe [Fei, Deng, Zhang]
June 3 at 21:4121:4322:0422:0722:1822:33 UTC - jettison of OM & deorbit burn & jettison of PM & reentry & parachute deployment & landing of Shenzhou 15 [Fei, Deng, Zhang]
June 5 at 19:10 UTC - docking of Tianzhou 5 with forward port of Tianhe
July 20 at ~5:4013:40 UTC - spacewalk (EVA-12) from Wentian airlock (deployment of external panoramic cameras B on Tianhe and A&B on Mengtian) [Jing, Zhu]
Sep. 11 at 8:46 UTC - undocking of Tianzhou 5 from forward port of Tianhe for EOM & reentry
Sep. 12 at 1:13 UTC - reentry of Tianzhou 5
Oct. 26 at 3:14 UTC - launch of Shenzhou 17 on CZ-2F/G [Tang Hongbo, Tang Shengjie, Jiang Xinlin]
Oct. 26 at 9:46 UTC - docking of Shenzhou 17 to forward port of Tianhe [Tang, Tang, Jiang]
Oct. 30 at 12:37 UTC - undocking of Shenzhou 16 from nadir port of Tianhe [Jing, Zhu, Gui]
Oct. 30 at 23:2123:2223:48~23:5123:570:11 UTC - jettison of OM & deorbit burn & jettison of PM & reentry & parachute deployment & landing of Shenzhou 16 [Jing, Zhu, Gui]
Dec. 21 at 6:1013:35 UTC - spacewalk (EVA-13) from Wentian airlock (repair of a Tianhe module solar array damaged by micrometeor strikes) [Tang, Tang]
2024
Jan. 12 at 8:02 UTC - undocking of Tianzhou 6 from aft port of Tianhe for EOM & reentry
Jan. 17 at 14:27 UTC - launch of Tianzhou 7 on CZ-7
Jan. 17 at 17:46 - docking of Tianzhou 7 to aft port of Tianhe
Jan. 18 at 6:43 UTC - deployment of CubeSat Dalian 1 (Lianli) from Tianzhou 6 external dispenser
Jan. 19 at 12:37 UTC - reentry of Tianzhou 6
Mar. 1 at ~21:305:33 UTC - spacewalk (EVA-14) from Wentian airlock (repair of a Tianhe module solar array damaged by micrometeor strikes) [Tang, Jiang]
Guesstimated current timeline of upcoming CSS operations:
Mar. 23 - launch of Shenzhou 18 on CZ-2F/G
Mar. 23 - docking of Shenzhou 18 to nadir port of Tianhe
Mar. 28 - undocking from forward port of Tianhe & landing of Shenzhou 17 [Tang, Tang, Jiang]
Aug. 19 - launch of Shenzhou 19 on CZ-2F/G
Aug. 19 - docking of Shenzhou 19 to forward port of Tianhe
Aug. 24 - undocking from nadir port of Tianhe & landing of Shenzhou 18
Sep. 27 - undocking of Tianzhou 7 from aft port of Tianhe for EOM & reentry
Sep. 30 - launch of Tianzhou 8 on CZ-7
Sep. 30 - docking of Tianzhou 8 to aft port of Tianhe
December (NET) - launch of Xuntian on CZ-5B
2025
Jan. 15 - launch of Shenzhou 20 on CZ-2F/G
Jan. 15 - docking of Shenzhou 20 to nadir port of Tianhe
Jan. 20 - undocking from forward port of Tianhe & landing of Shenzhou 19
May 28 - undocking of Tianzhou 8 from aft port of Tianhe for EOM & reentry
May 31 - launch of Tianzhou 9 on CZ-7
May 31 - docking of Tianzhou 9 to aft port of Tianhe
June 18 - undocking from nadir port of Tianhe & landing of Shenzhou 20
2026
Jan. 26 - undocking of Tianzhou 9 from aft port of Tianhe for EOM & reentry
Jan. 31 - launch of Tianzhou 10 on CZ-7
Jan. 31 - docking of Tianzhou 10 to aft port of Tianhe
2027
Late 2027? - launch of multipurpose module on CZ-5B
2033
Early 2033? - launch of science module on CZ-5B
Late 2033? - launch of science module on CZ-5B
Corrections & input welcome!
Edit Jan. 18
Edit Jan. 19
Edit Mar. 4
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A member in the German forum has written something about this.
https://forum.raumfahrer.net/index.php?topic=11795.msg552861#msg552861
As it turns out this Dalian University of Technology-built satellite wasn't released after all until today, from the already departed Tianzhou 6: https://twitter.com/CNSpaceflight/status/1748228276307513789
(original (https://m.weibo.cn/detail/4991890497470763) sources (https://m.weibo.cn/detail/4991896727064652))
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https://youtu.be/uZPybyTUJ2I
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https://youtu.be/MXmoThOX_Vs
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https://youtu.be/ajiAFt01M8s
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https://youtu.be/EPbQnOvH7Kk
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https://youtu.be/ZQibmWkJyoA
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https://youtu.be/e161lErPvqg
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Tang Hongbo's cumulative on-orbit time surpassed Chen Dong's previous 215-day record, making him the Chinese astronaut with the longest on-orbit cumulative flight time.
https://twitter.com/SegerYu/status/1761785929109553597
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https://twitter.com/wulei2020/status/1763812862688981304
Congratulations!
The #Shenzhou17 crew members on board China space station have completed their #second spacewalk!
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https://twitter.com/wulei2020/status/1763812862688981304
Congratulations!
The #Shenzhou17 crew members on board China space station have completed their #second spacewalk!
https://twitter.com/raz_liu/status/1763803269401616836
So Tang Hongbo & Jiang Xinlin went out sometime earlier today to repair, uh, something outside the CSS.
EDIT:
https://twitter.com/CNSpaceflight/status/1763831335171629547
CMSA announces that Shenzhou-17 have completed a ~8-hour spacewalk at ~05:32UTC on March 02. The major task was to repair Tianhe solar arrays to eliminate the loss caused by collisions with micro particles. Astronauts TANG Hongbo and JIANG Xinlin carried out the spacewalk.
(original source https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/f6NNy0mkb2lza2x_zSvS9w (https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/f6NNy0mkb2lza2x_zSvS9w))
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https://youtu.be/NU3mRBqnRxI
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https://youtu.be/ARDxLxpKJWY
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https://youtu.be/B1G5pe7zQQc
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https://youtu.be/nYJjxzufdUY
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https://youtu.be/HkIEwseuIeI