a new space station design, first time seen in HK，aug 2012
Looks like its basically same design we've seen earlier. The new design for the solar arrays remind me of the ones on the ISS.
Mostly the same. Large arrays on the research modules, but also two Shenzhou are docked in the illustration (one on the nadir port of the core module's node and another on its forward port). The cargo ship is docked on the core module's aft port. I don't think the previous design had a nadir Shenzhou docking port on the core module node.
I would speculate that the two Shenzhous indicate a short-term arrangement during a crew rotation, with the nadir Shenzhou - the new one - being rotated to the front longitudinal port when the older crew returns to Earth.
I would speculate that the two Shenzhous indicate a short-term arrangement during a crew rotation, with the nadir Shenzhou - the new one - being rotated to the front longitudinal port when the older crew returns to Earth.
It would also allow 6 person long duration crews with the rear port available for resupply at all times.
On a slightly different angle, has anyone seen an authorative comment from Chinese officials on how many flights are planned to each of TG-2 and TG-3?
As TG-1 will host 3 flights (one unmanned and two manned) it would seem unlikely that it will be less than 3 each?
My interest is mainly driven by a focus on the astronaut team; how many are
likely to fly; what recruitment may be needed to support future plans etc.?
Also, the Chinese launch schedule page shows TG-2 as planned for launch in 2013. Do we know if that is still the plan. The comments above in Message #35 that TG-1 may extend beyond 2 years (which would nominally expire in September 2013) could suggest that TG-2 should be in orbit late next year.
On a slightly different angle, has anyone seen an authorative comment from Chinese officials on how many flights are planned to each of TG-2 and TG-3?
As TG-1 will host 3 flights (one unmanned and two manned) it would seem unlikely that it will be less than 3 each?
My interest is mainly driven by a focus on the astronaut team; how many are
likely to fly; what recruitment may be needed to support future plans etc.?
Also, the Chinese launch schedule page shows TG-2 as planned for launch in 2013. Do we know if that is still the plan. The comments above in Message #35 that TG-1 may extend beyond 2 years (which would nominally expire in September 2013) could suggest that TG-2 should be in orbit late next year.
I cannot immediately recall where this was but I am sure that the Chinese have said that they planned to launch three Shenzhou craft to each of Tiangongs 1 and 2: not sure that anything has been said about Tiangong 3.
As for the Tiangong 1, I think that the Chinese might keep this in orbit simply for longevity testing without any visits beyond Shenzhou 10. On-board systems can be remotely monitored to see how they function once the manned phase as ended. Of course they might decide to emulate the Soviets on Soyuz-T 15 and do a short trip from Tiangong 2 at the end of a residency and travel to Tiangong 1 for a quick visit: that, of course, would depend upon the orbis relative to each other.
a new space station design, first time seen in HK，aug 2012
Looks like its basically same design we've seen earlier. The new design for the solar arrays remind me of the ones on the ISS.
Mostly the same. Large arrays on the research modules, but also two Shenzhou are docked in the illustration (one on the nadir port of the core module's node and another on its forward port). The cargo ship is docked on the core module's aft port. I don't think the previous design had a nadir Shenzhou docking port on the core module node.
I would speculate that the two Shenzhous indicate a short-term arrangement during a crew rotation, with the nadir Shenzhou - the new one - being rotated to the front longitudinal port when the older crew returns to Earth.
Yeah, my speculation is the same. I did say that the second Shenzhou is probably for "hand-overs". It would make sense. I don't think leaving the station unoccupied for any length of time would be wise, although it's entirely possible to operate it remotely.
On a slightly different angle, has anyone seen an authorative comment from Chinese officials on how many flights are planned to each of TG-2 and TG-3?
As TG-1 will host 3 flights (one unmanned and two manned) it would seem unlikely that it will be less than 3 each?
My interest is mainly driven by a focus on the astronaut team; how many are
likely to fly; what recruitment may be needed to support future plans etc.?
Also, the Chinese launch schedule page shows TG-2 as planned for launch in 2013. Do we know if that is still the plan. The comments above in Message #35 that TG-1 may extend beyond 2 years (which would nominally expire in September 2013) could suggest that TG-2 should be in orbit late next year.
A recent news story said that they are considering docking TG-1 to TG-2, leaving TG-1 in orbit when TG-2 is launched. This is being considered because the health of TG-1 is better than expected.
On a slightly different angle, has anyone seen an authorative comment from Chinese officials on how many flights are planned to each of TG-2 and TG-3?
As TG-1 will host 3 flights (one unmanned and two manned) it would seem unlikely that it will be less than 3 each?
My interest is mainly driven by a focus on the astronaut team; how many are
likely to fly; what recruitment may be needed to support future plans etc.?
Also, the Chinese launch schedule page shows TG-2 as planned for launch in 2013. Do we know if that is still the plan. The comments above in Message #35 that TG-1 may extend beyond 2 years (which would nominally expire in September 2013) could suggest that TG-2 should be in orbit late next year.
I cannot immediately recall where this was but I am sure that the Chinese have said that they planned to launch three Shenzhou craft to each of Tiangongs 1 and 2: not sure that anything has been said about Tiangong 3.
As for the Tiangong 1, I think that the Chinese might keep this in orbit simply for longevity testing without any visits beyond Shenzhou 10. On-board systems can be remotely monitored to see how they function once the manned phase as ended. Of course they might decide to emulate the Soviets on Soyuz-T 15 and do a short trip from Tiangong 2 at the end of a residency and travel to Tiangong 1 for a quick visit: that, of course, would depend upon the orbis relative to each other.
Yes Phil, I think I have read the same, but not sure where or when, that SZ-11,12 and 13 will visit TG-2.
I get the impression, from all the speculation, that the possibilty that TG-1 may be viable well beyond the original 2 year life span, has thrown up a number of options for simultaneous operation of TG-1 and TG-2 which may not have been part of the original plans for two totally independent series of flights.
On a slightly different angle, has anyone seen an authorative comment from Chinese officials on how many flights are planned to each of TG-2 and TG-3?
As TG-1 will host 3 flights (one unmanned and two manned) it would seem unlikely that it will be less than 3 each?
My interest is mainly driven by a focus on the astronaut team; how many are
likely to fly; what recruitment may be needed to support future plans etc.?
Also, the Chinese launch schedule page shows TG-2 as planned for launch in 2013. Do we know if that is still the plan. The comments above in Message #35 that TG-1 may extend beyond 2 years (which would nominally expire in September 2013) could suggest that TG-2 should be in orbit late next year.
A recent news story said that they are considering docking TG-1 to TG-2, leaving TG-1 in orbit when TG-2 is launched. This is being considered because the health of TG-1 is better than expected.
Interesting. That would imply a 2nd docking port on TG-2. (Or it would imply no SZ dockings to the TG-1/TG-2 complex, which seems unlikely
)
So, if this is indeed a serious consideration, TG-2 is designed with a 2nd dockingport. I don't think they would, or even could change the design at this stage just to be able to dock with TG-1.
Interesting. That would imply a 2nd docking port on TG-2. (Or it would imply no SZ dockings to the TG-1/TG-2 complex, which seems unlikely )
So, if this is indeed a serious consideration, TG-2 is designed with a 2nd dockingport. I don't think they would, or even could change the design at this stage just to be able to dock with TG-1.
Perhaps TG-2 is more like Salut-6/7 and Mir and has a fore and aft port. They may have intended to have double-dockings with a SZ frieghter at the other port for in-mission resupply but they instead decided that doubling up lab space might be a more efficient use of the TG-2 aft port.
Of course, the Chinese space program seems to have a lot of rumour about it. We'll see in due course, as always.
Interesting. That would imply a 2nd docking port on TG-2. (Or it would imply no SZ dockings to the TG-1/TG-2 complex, which seems unlikely )
So, if this is indeed a serious consideration, TG-2 is designed with a 2nd dockingport. I don't think they would, or even could change the design at this stage just to be able to dock with TG-1.
It could also be that this is just another docking test, albeit with larger modules. In that case TG-1 would be gone when SZ arrives at TG-2, which eliminates the requirement for a second docking port.
FINALLY! We've got a clearer picture of the timeline to the future Chinese space station,
courtesy of CMSEO's chief Zhou Jianping:
"Speaking about the rumors of a Tiangong 3 in planning stages, Zhou said that China has never announced a Tiangong 3 mission. When the mission of the Tiangong 2 space laboratory is complete, China will directly start the construction of their space station."
So no TG-3 - after the TG-2 mission (~2014-17) China will start the construction of their space station (2018 seems to be a good estimation of the launch of the core module).
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