We have got some news about the future Chinese cargo logistics spacecraft (name to be announced soon - I hope it will be an animal or mythical character in the spirit of Dragon/Cygnus/HTV "white stork"): its first launch will come about half a year after TG-2 (~ early 2015? Maybe flight to TG-2 on the first or second CZ-7?).
Based on technologies derived from the Shenzhou and TG-1, it will transport equipment for space station construction and technology experiments outside the station (hints of an unpressurized compartment!?).
For some Chinese news reports and speculations, see
http://bbs.9ifly.cn/thread-971-1-1.html.
From where they will be launched?
After SZ-10, the 921 launch pad will only be used for TG-2 in late 2014, so does that mean that some work will be done on the launch pad for CZ-7? Or no CZ-7 is planed for Jiuquan and the launches will be from Wenchang?
From where they will be launched?
After SZ-10, the 921 launch pad will only be used for TG-2 in late 2014, so does that mean that some work will be done on the launch pad for CZ-7? Or no CZ-7 is planed for Jiuquan and the launches will be from Wenchang?
Pretty sure this will be one of the first CZ-7 payloads from Wenchang.
Chinese media is reporting that a cargo spacecraft is currently in development and will be launched shortly after Tiangong-2. The spaceship is
"
the 13-ton craft, bearing a length of more than 9 meters and the largest diameter of 3.35 meters, is capable of carrying 6 tons of goods, three times that of Russia's Progress cargo spaceship."
The report can be found here:
http://english.cri.cn/6909/2013/06/13/2561s769934.htm
It is certainly a logical step for the Chinese space program.
It is certainly a logical step for the Chinese space program.
Yes, and this was announced many months ago.
I've merged two threads that existed related with the same subject.
and I thought that the Tiangong class ship was meant to be the future cargo ship for the 2020 space station. This is all far too complicated for me!
and I thought that the Tiangong class ship was meant to be the future cargo ship for the 2020 space station. This is all far too complicated for me!
I suspect a large part of the confusion, which I share, is in translation, and in news media guessing.
The Tiangong-based 13-ton supply ship would require a CZ-5, and frankly, has far too great a cargo capacity for support of a Tiangong-derived 'space lab' Mir-class multi-module 'space laboratory.'
If this Tiangong-derived laboratory is to precede a CZ-5-launched large 'space station' in the 2020 time frame, it could consist of several Tiangong-sized modules -- but Tiangong does not have rendezvous and active docking capability. Both manned and unmanned Shenzhou vehicles would seem entirely adequate for crew and cargo transport to such a semi-permanent 'space laboratory'.
Tiangong-class modules would also serve as excellent prototypes for 'Mission Modules' for human sorties far beyond LEO [docked to upgraded Shenzhou command modules]. But that, too, awaits CZ-5 developments.
and I thought that the Tiangong class ship was meant to be the future cargo ship for the 2020 space station. This is all far too complicated for me!
I suspect a large part of the confusion, which I share, is in translation, and in news media guessing.
The Tiangong-based 13-ton supply ship would require a CZ-5, and frankly, has far too great a cargo capacity for support of a Tiangong-derived 'space lab' Mir-class multi-module 'space laboratory.'
If this Tiangong-derived laboratory is to precede a CZ-5-launched large 'space station' in the 2020 time frame, it could consist of several Tiangong-sized modules -- but Tiangong does not have rendezvous and active docking capability. Both manned and unmanned Shenzhou vehicles would seem entirely adequate for crew and cargo transport to such a semi-permanent 'space laboratory'.
Tiangong-class modules would also serve as excellent prototypes for 'Mission Modules' for human sorties far beyond LEO [docked to upgraded Shenzhou command modules]. But that, too, awaits CZ-5 developments.
Actually it will only need a CZ-7....
Please update the thread title to "Tianzhou-1"
Please update the thread title to "Tianzhou-1"
I införmed the mods via the Report to Moderator link.
Tianzhou is the general designation of the logistics spacecraft. Tianzhou-1 is the designation of the first logistics craft to be launched to TG-2. So, this therad willl continue with the same title and a new thread is created for the first launch of TZ to TG-2.
