Tianhe-1 Core Module - CZ-5B - WSLC - April 29, 2021 (03:23 UTC)

[Lars-J]

Is there a size comparison available of this core module to Zvezda and the MIR core module - or is it scaled up slightly? It appears to have the similar dimensions, but it is hard to tell.

But it does look like they are taking advantage of the extra fairing space (and LM-5B capacity) to launch with some extra micrometeoroids and orbital debris (MMOD) shielding already installed. (the patchwork looking coverings over the main section)

EDIT: I found an image with some measurements. Assuming they are accurate, it is the same diameter as Zvezda, so ~4.2m, although it appears to have a slight stretch of the habitable area making the total length ~16m vs ~13m for Zvezda.
(and maybe a larger diameter docking port node, with the integrated EVA hatch)

[russianhalo117]

Is there a size comparison available of this core module to Zvezda and the MIR core module - or is it scaled up slightly? It appears to have the similar dimensions, but it is hard to tell.

But it does look like they are taking advantage of the extra fairing space (and LM-5B capacity) to launch with some extra micrometeoroids and orbital debris (MMOD) shielding already installed. (the patchwork looking coverings over the main section)

EDIT: I found an image with some measurements. Assuming they are accurate, it is the same diameter as Zvezda, so ~4.2m, although it appears to have a slight stretch of the habitable area making the total length ~16m vs ~13m for Zvezda.
(and maybe a larger diameter docking port node, with the integrated EVA hatch)

The design is licensed export and served as the starting point for what you see. The solar arrays appear to be based on the design from next generation Airbus OneSat and other western NG sat bus products.

[baldusi]

Is there a size comparison available of this core module to Zvezda and the MIR core module - or is it scaled up slightly? It appears to have the similar dimensions, but it is hard to tell.

But it does look like they are taking advantage of the extra fairing space (and LM-5B capacity) to launch with some extra micrometeoroids and orbital debris (MMOD) shielding already installed. (the patchwork looking coverings over the main section)

EDIT: I found an image with some measurements. Assuming they are accurate, it is the same diameter as Zvezda, so ~4.2m, although it appears to have a slight stretch of the habitable area making the total length ~16m vs ~13m for Zvezda.
(and maybe a larger diameter docking port node, with the integrated EVA hatch)

The design is licensed export and served as the starting point for what you see. The solar arrays appear to be based on the design from next generation Airbus OneSat and other western NG sat bus products.

Strange they didn't took advantage of the 4.6m internal fairing space of LM-5B. The Zvezda diameter is beounde by the smaller Proton fairing, if I'm not mistaken. In fact, I believe rather than fairing is more of an aeroshell that actually sits on the module. But I might be misremembering.

[Galactic Penguin SST]

Marine space closure notices are out for tomorrow 03:00 - 04:00 UTC.

NAVAREA XI
NO.21-0142 Date:2021/04/28 02 UTC

SOUTH CHINA SEA, NORTHERN PART.
ROCKET LAUNCHING. 290300Z TO 290400Z
APR. AREAS BOUNDED BY
A. 14-33-19N 117-30-02E
13-53-56N 118-15-52E
13-33-46N 117-57-25E
14-13-05N 117-11-37E.
B. 13-11-41N 119-04-01E
12-39-14N 119-41-06E
12-19-10N 119-22-37E
12-51-35N 118-45-33E.
CANCEL THIS MSG 290500Z APR.

[russianhalo117]

Is there a size comparison available of this core module to Zvezda and the MIR core module - or is it scaled up slightly? It appears to have the similar dimensions, but it is hard to tell.

But it does look like they are taking advantage of the extra fairing space (and LM-5B capacity) to launch with some extra micrometeoroids and orbital debris (MMOD) shielding already installed. (the patchwork looking coverings over the main section)

EDIT: I found an image with some measurements. Assuming they are accurate, it is the same diameter as Zvezda, so ~4.2m, although it appears to have a slight stretch of the habitable area making the total length ~16m vs ~13m for Zvezda.
(and maybe a larger diameter docking port node, with the integrated EVA hatch)

The design is licensed export and served as the starting point for what you see. The solar arrays appear to be based on the design from next generation Airbus OneSat and other western NG sat bus products.

Strange they didn't took advantage of the 4.6m internal fairing space of LM-5B. The Zvezda diameter is beounde by the smaller Proton fairing, if I'm not mistaken. In fact, I believe rather than fairing is more of an aeroshell that actually sits on the module. But I might be misremembering.

Yes, the Tianhe-1 Core Module is stretched to match the upmass capacity of CZ-5B. The CM small section is considerably stretched to accommodate to RMS's launch and fully stowed positions. Zvezda and siblings were mass and diemenions constrained by Proton-K. The Zvezda PLF (DOS PLF) is derived from the UR-500 warhead PLF which is a scaled up version of the UR-100 (Strela PLF's) and UR-200 proposed PLF versions.
The NSF thread for Zvezda PLF (note that large section is UR-500 stage tooling and small presuized sections are UR-200 stage tooling (module widest outside diameter is 4.1m to 4.2m depending upon source. PLF widest outside diameter is 4.1m to 4.35m depending upon source)).

NSF reference: https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?board=18.0

Outside references:
http://russianspaceweb.com/iss_sm.html
http://russianspaceweb.com/iss-sm-development.html
http://russianspaceweb.com/iss-sm-preparation.html
http://russianspaceweb.com/iss-sm-launch.html

[Lars-J]

Strange they didn't took advantage of the 4.6m internal fairing space of LM-5B. The Zvezda diameter is beounde by the smaller Proton fairing, if I'm not mistaken. In fact, I believe rather than fairing is more of an aeroshell that actually sits on the module. But I might be misremembering.

They did take advantage of the extra space - a little. It has more externa MMOD shielding and sensors sticking out than Zvezda had at launch. It should require less EVAs to outfit.

If you look closer at the image, you'll see that it has a whole extra layer of panels with EVA handholds that the Russian equivalent modules did not have at launch.

[russianhalo117]

Strange they didn't took advantage of the 4.6m internal fairing space of LM-5B. The Zvezda diameter is beounde by the smaller Proton fairing, if I'm not mistaken. In fact, I believe rather than fairing is more of an aeroshell that actually sits on the module. But I might be misremembering.

They did take advantage of the extra space - a little. It has more externa MMOD shielding and sensors sticking out than Zvezda had at launch. It should require less EVAs to outfit.

If you look closer at the image, you'll see that it has a whole extra layer of panels with EVA handholds that the Russian equivalent modules did not have at launch.

Also note like Zvezda the equivalent PRK airlock chamber is designed for use as an airlock along with the node section. It will be used for early EVA's until a later module. The same applied on Mir.

[input~2]

B1128/21 - AEROSPACE FLT ACT WILL TAKE PLACE WI:
13 53 56N 118 15 52E -
13 33 46N 117 57 25E -
14 13 05N 117 11 37E -
14 33 19N 117 30 02E -
13 53 56N 118 15 52E

RMK: ALL ACFT TO EXP RADAR VECTORS TO AVOID THE AREA. SFC - UNL, 29 APR 03:25
2021 UNTIL 29 APR 07:59 2021. CREATED: 28 APR 07:51 2021

B1126/21 - AEROSPACE FLT ACT WILL TAKE PLACE WI:
12 39 14N 119 41 06E -
12 19 10N 119 22 37E -
12 51 35N 118 45 33E -
13 11 41N 119 04 01E -
12 39 14N 119 41 06E

RMK: ALL ACFT TO EXP RADAR VECTORS TO AVOID THE AREA. SFC - UNL, 29 APR 03:25
2021 UNTIL 29 APR 08:06 2021. CREATED: 28 APR 07:48 2021

[Atlantis83]

Also note like Zvezda the equivalent PRK airlock chamber is designed for use as an airlock along with the node section. It will be used for early EVA's until a later module.

Do you know which module will have another airlock beside Tianhe? There are rumors that Wentian has one - but didn't found a confirmation yet. I think a module like Poisk and Pirs would be a good addition to the CSS.

I've found a great timeline and infographic of Tianhe here:
https://www.shymkent.info/space/chinese-spaceflight/chinese-space-station-core-module-tianhe/

[Mammutti]

https://twitter.com/AJ_FI/status/1387423156240015370

Possible streams for viewing the launch:
CCTV-13 (Zh): https://tv.cctv.com/live/cctv13/
CGTN (Eng): https://youtube.com/channel/UCgrNz-aDmcr2uuto8_DL2jg
Other: https://youtube.com/watch?v=MS3k59XLkx0 and more to come.
(Image: UNOOSA/CMSA)

[newfrontiers]

[Satori]

Can someone help in translating?

[starbase]

Can someone help in translating?

You are welcome.

[Satori]

Can someone help in translating?

You are welcome.

Thank you so much!

[Atlantis83]

Can someone help in translating?

And here in correct english: 
- 1. Liftoff: 00.00s
- 2. Rotating into correct inclination: 17.00s
- 3. Booster separation: 174.83s
- 4. Fairing separation: 223.40s
- 5. Main Engine Cutoff (MECO): 481.33s
- 6. Compartment/TianHe module separation from the rocket: 486.83s

[gemmy0I]

FYI - I noticed some possible errors in the recently-published article about Tianhe on the main site:

https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2021/04/china-station-construction-begins/

Tianhe, “harmony of the heavens”, will be the bedrock of the Chinese Space Station (CSS), like Zarya was for the International Space Station in 1998.  However, Tianhe is based heavily on the Functional Cargo Block (FGB) elements of the Russian space program — which formed the core of Mir and which serves as the grounding design of the Zvezda service module of the International Space Station.

As has been detailed by others upthread, Tianhe is a licensed derivative of the Russian DOS station core design (Zvezda, Mir Core Module and several of the Salyuts), *not* the FGB which is a distinct/competing Russian station core design (Zarya, Nauka, various Mir modules and the rest of the Salyuts). The article seems to conflate DOS and FGB, and incorrectly describes Zvezda and the Mir core as FGBs rather than DOSes.

But only the forward and nadir docking ports are outfitted with rendezvous equipment.  This means the two future science modules, Wentian (“Quest for the heavens”) and Mengtian (“Dreaming of the heavens”), cannot dock directly to their planned radial port locations.  Instead, they will have to first dock themselves to the forward port on Tianhe.

To account for this, each module will carry a Russian Lyappa robotic arm — like the ones used on Mir for the same purpose — to move the module from the forward port to its respective permanent location on a radial port of Tianhe’s docking hub.

I'm not sure if this is an error or not but I suspect it is. Given that the plan is for crew and cargo vehicles to dock to Tianhe's forward and aft ports, those ports would necessarily need to be the ones "outfitted with rendezvous equipment". Presumably the article should state "only the forward and aft docking ports" instead? That would make sense since any modules destined for the nadir port can arrive at the forward port and be moved with the Lyappa arm.

Good article overall, just wanted to draw the editors' attention to these issues so there's no confusion!

[eeergo]

FYI - I noticed some possible errors in the recently-published article about Tianhe on the main site:

https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2021/04/china-station-construction-begins/

Also, is this

each module will carry a Russian Lyappa robotic arm

a fact? I strongly suspect the relocation arm is "Lyappa-like" rather than an actual Russian-furnished arm, and like Tianhe using a modified DOS design, these arms will have a superficial resemblance to Lyappas - if it is so, the authors might want to modify that part.

OTOH, it was nice to discover important info I was completely unaware of in the article, in particular:

During the China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition in 2018, Chinese officials revealed that two Tiahne modules had been built, with the second to serve as a backup, or insurance, in case of a launch failure

Thanks for it!

[SMS]

@Satori: which time for launch is accurate: 3:18 or 3:40 UTC? Thanks.

For 3:40 from (https://tinyurl.com/3c8thxx4) => 9ifly forum!

[gemmy0I]

Also, is this

each module will carry a Russian Lyappa robotic arm

a fact? I strongly suspect the relocation arm is "Lyappa-like" rather than an actual Russian-furnished arm, and like Tianhe using a modified DOS design, these arms will have a superficial resemblance to Lyappas - if it is so, the authors might want to modify that part.

Good catch. I also noticed just now that it's probably also a mistake to say each module will carry a Lyappa(-like) arm; elsewhere I've seen it stated that the Tianhe core module has its own permanent Lyappa arm which will be used to relocate other modules around its node section. Presumably the other modules will have fixtures for Tianhe's Lyappa to grapple them, rather than Lyappas of their own.

OTOH, it was nice to discover important info I was completely unaware of in the article, in particular:

During the China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition in 2018, Chinese officials revealed that two Tiahne modules had been built, with the second to serve as a backup, or insurance, in case of a launch failure

Thanks for it!

Indeed. I wonder if that's the same as the mothballed Tiangong-3 module reported by russianhalo117 upthread, since both have been reported as under consideration for use as a second core module to expand the modular station:

The name Tiangong-3 was never supposed to be used on the modular station. Tiangong-3 was going to be a Salyut-6/7 type station.

In November 2013 China announced that the modular station was going to be named 'Tiangong'.

Tiangong-3 module is reportedly still in a climate controlled mothballed state and could be finished and flown during the second CSS expansion phase (Tianhe Core Module 2) or be converted to a free flyer which visits CSS for occasional servicing at a later date.

[Satori]

@Satori: which time for launch is accurate: 3:18 or 3:40 UTC? Thanks.

For 3:40 from (https://tinyurl.com/3c8thxx4) => 9ifly forum!

I'm sorry, but at this time I have no accurate answer. But many still point to a 0318UTC launch time.