posted 04-29-2021 12:18 AM               

China launches Tianhe core for new multi-module space station

China has launched the core component of its first multi-module space station, reaching a milestone almost 30 years in the making.

The "Tianhe" module lifted off atop a Chinese Long March 5B Y2 rocket from the Wenchang Satellite Launch Center on Hainan Island, located in the South China Sea, on Wednesday (April 28). The 11:23 p.m. EDT (0323 GMT; 11:23 a.m. local April 29) launch marked the first of at least ten missions planned through the end of 2022 to support the assembly of the Tiangong (or "Heavenly Palace") station.

posted 05-29-2021 12:08 PM               

China launches cargo spacecraft to dock with space station module

China launched the cargo spacecraft Tianzhou-2 on Saturday (May 29), which is scheduled to dock with the space station core module Tianhe to deliver supplies, equipment and propellant.

The Long March-7 Y3 rocket, carrying Tianzhou-2, blasted off from the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site on the coast of the southern island province of Hainan, according to the China Manned Space Agency.

China launched its space station core module Tianhe on April 29. The country plans to complete the verification of key technologies and the in-orbit construction of the space station through multiple launches within two years.

Saturday's launch was the first time that the space station cargo transportation system, composed of the Tianzhou spacecraft and Long March-7 rockets, was put into use.

Measuring 10.6 meters in length and with a maximum diameter of 3.35 meters, the Tianzhou-2 cargo ship has a maximum takeoff weight of 13.5 tonnes and carries 6.8 tonnes of goods and materials.

More than 160 large and small packages, including supplies for astronauts and space science equipment, and two tonnes of propellant have been loaded into the cargo freighter, according to the China Academy of Space Technology (CAST).

Lei Jianyu, a designer of Tianzhou-2 at the CAST, said that only two types of cargo spaceships currently in service globally have the maximum carrying capacity of more than 5 tonnes. "China's Tianzhou is one of them, and is at the world-leading level."

posted 05-29-2021 09:18 PM               

China's cargo craft successfully docks with space station module

China's cargo spacecraft Tianzhou-2, carrying supplies, equipment and propellant, successfully docked with the space station core module Tianhe on Sunday (May 30), according to the China Manned Space Agency.

At 5:01 a.m. (Beijing Time) [5:01 p.m. EDT or 2101 GMT May 29], Tianzhou-2 and Tianhe completed computer-orchestrated rendezvous and docking. The whole process took approximately eight hours, the CMSA said.

The Long March-7 Y3 rocket, carrying Tianzhou-2, blasted off from the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site on the coast of the southern island province of Hainan at 8:55 p.m. (Beijing Time) Saturday.

Combined with Tianhe, Tianzhou-2 will replenish Tianhe's propellant. Tests on space application project equipment will also be carried out as planned.

China launched its space station core module Tianhe on April 29. The country plans to complete the verification of key technologies and the in-orbit construction of the space station through multiple launches within two years.

The launch of the cargo craft was the first time that the space station cargo transportation system, composed of the Tianzhou spacecraft and Long March-7 rockets, was put into use.

posted 09-20-2021 06:19 AM               

China launches second cargo craft to space station with supplies

China launched its cargo spacecraft Tianzhou-3 on Monday (Sept. 20) to deliver supplies for its under-construction space station.

The Long March-7 Y4 rocket, carrying Tianzhou-3, blasted off at 3:10 p.m. Beijing time [3:10 a.m. EDT or 0710 GMT] from the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in the southern island province of Hainan, according to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA).

After 597 seconds, Tianzhou-3 separated from the rocket and entered its designated orbit. At 3:22 p.m. Beijing time (3:22 a.m. EDT or 0722 GMT), the solar panels of Tianzhou-3 unfolded and began working properly.

The launch was a complete success, the CMSA said.

According to the CMSA, Tianzhou-3 will dock with the combination of the space station core module Tianhe and Tianzhou-2 cargo craft later.

The cargo ship carries nearly 6 tonnes of goods and materials, preparing for the upcoming launch of the Shenzhou-13 crewed mission.

The CMSA said Tianzhou-3 is loaded with living supplies for the astronauts, one extravehicular space suit for back-up, supplies for extravehicular activities, space station platform materials, payloads and propellants.

On Sept. 18, the Tianzhou-2 cargo craft separated from the rear docking port of Tianhe and docked with its front docking port. The CMSA said that the combination of Tianhe and Tianzhou-2 is in good condition, waiting for docking with the Tianzhou-3 cargo craft and the Shenzhou-13 manned spaceship.

Monday's launch is the 20th mission of China's manned space programs and the 389th mission of the Long March rocket series.

As the ancient Chinese said, to carry out an important task, supplies like rations and forage should go ahead of troops and horses. During the construction of the space station, cargo spaceships will always be launched ahead of crewed missions.

"We will transport support materials, necessary spare parts and equipment first, and then our crew," said CMSA Director Hao Chun.

Following the Tianzhou-3 mission, the Shenzhou-13 manned spaceship will be launched to dock with the core module Tianhe, and three astronauts will then begin their six-month stay in orbit.

China plans to complete the verification of key technologies and the in-orbit construction of the space station through multiple launches within two years.

Five launch missions are planned for this year, namely the launch of the Tianhe core module, Tianzhou-2 cargo ship, Shenzhou-12 crewed mission, Tianzhou-3 cargo ship and the upcoming Shenzhou-13 crewed mission.

Six more missions will come in 2022, including the launch of the Wentian and Mengtian lab modules, two cargo spacecraft and two crewed spaceships, to complete the construction of the space station.

posted 01-07-2022 11:02 AM               

China completes in-orbit spacecraft transposition test with space station's robotic arm

China successfully conducted a transposition test of the Tianzhou-2 cargo craft using its space station's robotic arm Thursday morning (Jan. 6).

It was the first time that the robotic arm operated a large in-orbit spacecraft for a transfer test, according to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA).

The test started at 6:12 a.m. (Beijing Time) and took 47 minutes.

After being unlocked and separated from the space station core module Tianhe, Tianzhou-2 was moved into a predetermined position by the robotic arm. The arm then reversed the maneuvers to bring the spacecraft back to its original position. Tianzhou-2 re-docked with the core module and completed locking.

The test preliminarily verified the feasibility of using the mechanical arm to conduct a space station module transfer, confirmed the effectiveness of relevant technologies, and laid a foundation for the subsequent in-orbit assembly and construction of the country's space station, said the CMSA.

posted 03-27-2022 01:38 PM               

China's Tianzhou-2 cargo craft leaves space station core module

China's cargo spacecraft Tianzhou-2 separated from the core module of the country's space station Sunday afternoon (March 27), announced the China Manned Space Agency.

At 3:59 p.m. Beijing Time [3:59 a.m. EDT], Tianzhou-2 left the core module of the Tiangong space station after completing all of its scheduled tasks, said the agency.

During its operation in orbit, Tianzhou-2 carried out a series of extended application tests. It is now in good condition, and will enter the Earth's atmosphere at an appropriate time under ground control, the agency added.

Tianzhou-2 is the first cargo ship sent into space in the key-technology verification phase of China's space station.

Carrying 6.8 tonnes of supplies for the space station, it was launched from the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site on the coast of the southern island province of Hainan on May 29, 2021.

posted 04-20-2022 09:11 AM               

Tianzhou-3 docks with Tianhe's front docking port

China's cargo spacecraft Tianzhou-3 separated from the country's space station core module Tianhe and redocked with the module on Wednesday (April 20).

Tianzhou-3 detached from the rear docking port of Tianhe at 5:02 a.m. Beijing Time [2100 GMT or 5:02 p.m. EDT on April 19], moved to the module's front port and completed a computer-orchestrated rendezvous and docking at 9:06 a.m. [0106 GMT or 9:06 p.m. EDT on April 19], according to the China Manned Space Agency.

It also said the combination of Tianhe and Tianzhou-3 is in good condition, waiting to dock with the Tianzhou-4 cargo craft, the Shenzhou-14 manned spaceship and the lab module Wentian.

China plans to complete the in-orbit construction of its space station by the end of 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.

posted 05-09-2022 10:35 PM               

China launches Tianzhou-4 to space station

China launched cargo spacecraft Tianzhou-4 on Tuesday [May 10; 1:56 p.m. EDT or 1756 GMT on May 9] to deliver supplies for its space station, which is scheduled to wrap up construction this year.

The Long March-7 Y5 rocket, carrying Tianzhou-4, blasted off at 1:56 a.m. (Beijing Time) from the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in the southern island province of Hainan, according to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA).

After around 10 minutes, Tianzhou-4 separated from the rocket and entered its designated orbit. At 2:23 a.m., the solar panels of the cargo craft unfolded and began working.

The CMSA declared the launch a complete success.

Like previous cargo flights, Tianzhou-4 carries three categories of supplies, including six-month living supplies for the Shenzhou-14 mission's three astronauts, spare parts for space station maintenance, and space research equipment.

Tianzhou-4 will dock with the combination of the space station core module Tianhe and Tianzhou-3 cargo craft later, the CMSA said.

(Tianzhou-4 docked with Tianhe about 6.5 hours after the cargo spacecraft lifted off.)

On April 20, Tianzhou-3 separated from the rear docking port of Tianhe and docked with its front docking port.

Tuesday's launch is the 22nd mission of China's manned space programs and the 420th mission of the Long March rocket series.

posted 07-17-2022 11:02 AM               

Tianzhou-3 cargo craft separates from space station

The Tianzhou-3 cargo craft, carrying supplies for China's space station, separated from the orbiting station combination at 10:59 a.m. Beijing Time on Sunday (July 17), after completing all assigned tasks, according to the China Manned Space Engineering Office.

China launched the Tianzhou-3 on Sept. 20, 2021 from the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in the southern province of Hainan, delivering six tonnes of goods to the country's under-construction space station.

At present, the Tianzhou-3 cargo craft is in good condition and will re-enter the atmosphere under ground control in the future, said the engineering office.

posted 07-24-2022 11:04 AM               

China launches space station's first lab module

China on Sunday (July 24) launched Wentian, the first lab module of its space station. The new module will function both as a backup of the core module and as a powerful scientific experiment platform.

Above: A Long March-5B Y3 carrier rocket, carrying the Wentian lab module, blasts off from the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in south China's Hainan Province, July 24, 2022. (Xinhua/Li Gang)

The Wentian module is 17.9 meters long [58.7 ft], has a maximum diameter of 4.2 meters [13.8 ft], and a takeoff mass of 23 tonnes [50,700 lbs], according to Liu Gang, deputy chief designer of the China manned space program's space station system with the China Academy of Space Technology.

The Wentian module consists of a work cabin, an airlock cabin and a resource cabin.

The Long March-5B Y3 carrier rocket, carrying Wentian, blasted off from the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site on the coast of the southern island province of Hainan at 2:22 p.m. Beijing Time [2:25 a.m. EDT or 0625 GMT], according to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA).

About 495 seconds later, Wentian separated from the rocket and entered the planned orbit. The launch is a complete success, the CMSA declared.

This is the 24th flight mission since the country's manned space program was approved and initiated.

The construction of China's Tiangong space station is expected to be completed this year. It will then evolve from a single-module structure into a national space laboratory with three modules — the core module, Tianhe, and two lab modules, Wentian and Mengtian.

The Tianhe module was launched in April 2021, and the Mengtian module is set to be launched in October this year.

Later, the Wentian module will rendezvous and dock with the combination of the space station according to the scheduled procedures, and the Shenzhou-14 astronauts will enter Wentian to carry out relevant work.

posted 07-24-2022 07:11 PM               

China's Wentian lab module docks with Tianhe core module combination

Wentian, the first lab module of China's space station, has successfully docked with the combination of the Tianhe core module, according to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA).

The Wentian module, launched on Sunday afternoon (July 24), docked with the front port of Tianhe at 3:13 a.m. Monday Beijing Time (3:13 p.m. EDT or 1913 GMT Sunday), after it entered the planned orbit and completed state setting.

The whole process took approximately 13 hours, the CMSA said.

It is the first time that China's two 20-tonne-level spacecrafts conducted rendezvous and docking in orbit, and also the first time that space rendezvous and docking were carried out during the astronauts' in-orbit stay in the space station, the CMSA said.

Later, the Shenzhou-14 astronauts will enter Wentian as scheduled, the CMSA said.

posted 10-02-2022 12:49 PM               

Transposition of China's space station lab module complete

China's space station lab module Wentian successfully completed in-orbit transposition at 12:44 p.m. Beijing Time on Friday (Sept. 30), according to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA).

It was the first time China has completed the in-orbit transposition of a large-scale spacecraft cabin by applying transfer facilities, the CMSA said.

During the transposition, the Wentian lab module first completed its state configuration and separated from the space station's core module Tianhe. Following up, Wentian conducted transposition and then docked with the side port of the space station's node cabin.

Lasting around one hour, the operation was the result of cooperation between astronauts in space and professionals on Earth, the agency said.

posted 10-31-2022 07:59 AM               

China launches lab module Mengtian as space station approaches completion

China on Monday (Oct. 31) launched the space lab module Mengtian, taking the construction of the country's space station Tiangong into final stage.

Mengtian, Tiangong's second lab module now flying to join the two-module combination already about 400 km above Earth, is the last "building block" that allows Tiangong to form a T-shape structure, the planned layout at the space station's completion.

The new combination is projected to take shape after a succession of elaborately-maneuvered tasks including the docking and the subsequent in-orbit transposition.

The Long March-5B Y4 carrier rocket, carrying Mengtian, blasted off from the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site on the coast of the southern island province of Hainan at 3:37 p.m. Beijing Time (3:37 a.m. EDT or 0737 GMT), according to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA).

About eight minutes later, Mengtian separated from the rocket and entered its preset orbit. The CMSA declared the launch a complete success.

This is the 25th flight mission since the country's manned space program was approved and initiated in 1992.

The building of Tiangong into a national space laboratory with three modules marks a milestone in China's three-decade effort to advance its manned space program.

New lab

The 17.88-meter-long new module has a takeoff mass of about 23 tonnes. Consisting of a work cabin, a cargo airlock cabin, a payload cabin and a resource cabin, it is the heaviest single-cabin active spacecraft in orbit in the world right now.

The core module Tianhe combined with the Wentian lab module took on an L shape after the latter was moved at the end of September to park at a side port of the core module's node cabin, vacating the front docking port for Mengtian's berthing.

One of the challenges of Mengtian's docking task is a consequence of its relatively big orbital angle with the sun, which reduces the solar panel's energy production, said Song Xiaoguang, a designer of Tiangong's Guidance, Navigation and Control (GNC) subsystem.

"The docking must be completed within a limited period, otherwise it has to be halted and the solar arrays be adjusted to receive more sunlight," said Song. "To dock with an asymmetric structure with a tilted barycenter is also challenging," he added.

Mengtian is designed to be connected to the short message communication services provided by China's Beidou Navigation Satellite System. This channel can be used as an independent telecom link in case of emergency.

In addition, by using a custom-made app on a mobile phone, astronauts can contact their family members on Earth via text or voice messages. Three astronauts of the Shenzhou-14 mission are now waiting for the new workplace which has an available activity space of some 32 cubic meters.

Frontier experiments

Carrying eight science experiment cabinets and offering 37 extravehicular installation options, Mengtian will enable more in-cabin and out-of-cabin experiments, especially those frontier ones that only can be done in a microgravity environment.

Aboard the module is the world's first space atomic clock system consisting of a hydrogen clock, a rubidium clock and an optical clock. It is also the world's most accurate in-orbit time and frequency system.

The clock set will support fundamental physics research such as measuring the gravitational redshift and verifying the constant speed of light, said Zhang Shougang, chief designer of the high-accuracy time-frequency cabinet and director of the National Time Service Center of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS).

"It can also be used to synchronize time for key science facilities like large particle accelerators and radio telescope arrays, and improve their performance," said Zhang.

Among Mengtian's payloads is a rack capable of producing ultra-cold quantum gas extremely close to the absolute zero, a cabinet with the ability to film — for the first time in a space station — material changes in high temperatures with X-rays, and a cutting-edge fluids physics lab in space.

These platforms will create conditions that cannot be achieved on Earth, thus serving as incubators for emerging technology and new materials like alloyed metal, crystals and semiconductors, said the payloads designers.

Mengtian also carries a toolbox equipped with a dexterous robotic arm and an augmented-reality smart glass to assist astronauts with maintenance.

China has built tech capability step by step in its manned space program, accumulating and learning to address technical complexities in the unfolding of each mission.

In November 2016, two astronauts including Chen Dong, now the commander of the Shenzhou-14 crewed mission, operated a mechanical arm within Tiangong-2, the space station's predecessor. Also in Tiangong-2, the first-ever cold atomic clock in space was tested.

Now, more tasks will be assigned to Chinese astronauts, as another cargo craft will arrive at the space station in November.

With the subsequent arrival of the Shenzhou-15 astronauts, the manpower in Tiangong will increase to six for a short period.

To facilitate the ins and outs of larger cargo and payloads, the airlock cabin of Mengtian is equipped with two square hatches, an internal one and an external one.

Plus, the external hatch is electrically driven, which is the first of its kind to be used in global space station history. This auto door reduces the astronaut's labor and increases efficiency when transporting cargo out of the cabin, said Bai Hemin, a designer for the space station system at the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology (SAST).

With a larger door, Mengtian is capable of releasing miniaturized satellites into space. "Astronauts can install the small satellites on a payload transfer device, depressurize the airlock cabin, and then convey them out of the cabin," said Meng Yao, a designer of Mengtian.

"The robotic arm outside the space station will grab the satellites and then catapult them in specified directions," said Meng from the SAST.

posted 10-31-2022 08:41 PM               

China's Mengtian lab module docks with space station combination

The Mengtian lab module has successfully docked with China's Tiangong space station combination, according to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA).

Mengtian, Tiangong's second lab module, docked with the front port of Tianhe, the space station's core module, at 4:27 a.m. Tuesday (Nov. 1) Beijing Time (4:27 p.m. EDT Oct. 31) after it entered the planned orbit, the CMSA said. The whole process of rendezvous and docking took approximately 13 hours.

Later, Mengtian will conduct transposition as planned, according to the CMSA. The Mengtian module, together with Tianhe core module and Wentian lab module, will then form the space station's basic configuration in T shape.

posted 11-03-2022 09:55 AM               

Transposition of China space station lab module Mengtian completed

China's space station lab module Mengtian successfully completed in-orbit transposition at 9:32 a.m. Beijing Time Thursday, Nov. 3 (0132 GMT or 9:32 p.m. EDT on Nov. 2), announced the China Manned Space Agency.

This transposition marked the formation of the space station's basic T-shape configuration, representing a key step toward the completion of China's space station, said the agency.

The Mengtian lab module first completed its state setting and then separated from the space station combination. Mengtian next conducted transposition and docked at the side port of the core module's node cabin.

The Shenzhou-14 crew entered the Mengtian lab module on Thursday afternoon.

In accordance with the plan, the basic function tests and evaluation of the space station combination will be carried out, said the agency.

posted 11-09-2022 08:52 AM               

Tianzhou-4 spacecraft separates from space station

The Tianzhou-4 cargo spacecraft, carrying supplies for China's space station, separated from the orbiting station combination at 2:55 p.m. Wednesday (Nov. 9) Beijing Time (1:55 a.m. EST) and switched to independent flight, after completing all assigned tasks, according to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA).

China launched the Tianzhou-4 on May 10, 2022, from the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in the southern province of Hainan, delivering about six tonnes of goods to the country's space station.

At present, the Tianzhou-4 cargo spacecraft is in good condition and will re-enter the atmosphere from ground control in the future, said the CMSA.

posted 11-12-2022 07:43 AM               

Tianzhou-5 launches, docks with space station in record time

China's cargo spacecraft Tianzhou-5, delivering supplies for the space station, successfully completed its rendezvous and docked with the the country's space station on Saturday (Nov. 12), according to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA).

At 12:10 p.m. Beijing Time (11:10 p.m. EST Nov. 11 or 0410 GMT), Tianzhou-5 conducted a fast automated rendezvous and docking at the rear docking port of the space station's core module Tianhe, the CMSA said.

This is the first time that Chinese astronauts witness the arrival of a cargo craft in the country's space station.

This mission achieved fast automated rendezvous and docking within about two hours. It is of great significance for improving the level of China's space rendezvous and docking, and for enhancing the emergency supply capacity for the space station.

The Long March-7 Y6 rocket, carrying Tianzhou-5, blasted off at 10:03 a.m. Beijing Time (9:03 p.m. EST Nov. 11 or 0203 GMT) from the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in the southern island province of Hainan.

posted 05-05-2023 08:28 AM               

Tianzhou-5 cargo spacecraft successfully departs from space station

At 15:26 on May 5, 2023, Beijing time, [3:26 a.m. EDT or 0726 GMT], the Tianzhou-5 cargo spacecraft successfully departed the space station complex and entered the independent flight stage.

Subsequently, the Tianzhou-5 cargo spacecraft will fly around and dock at the forward port of the space station's node module after the Shenzhou 15 crewed spacecraft has left the space station assembly.

posted 05-10-2023 09:51 AM               

Tianzhou-6 cargo craft launches to space stataion

China's cargo spacecraft, Tianzhou-6, lifted off atop a Long March-7 Y7 carrier rocket at 9:22 a.m. EDT (1322 GMT) on Wednesday (May 10), according to the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site, under the Xichang Satellite Launch Center, in China's southern island province of Hainan.

The launch of Tianzhou-6 was China's first spaceflight since its space station entered into the application and development stage.

The uncrewed vehicle – loaded with 7.4 tonnes of fuel, food and other supplies — is expected to autonomously dock with the Tiangong space station later on Wednesday. The spacecraft is the first with an expanded interior, allowing China to fly 20 percent more cargo by mass than previous Tianzhou vehicles.

posted 05-10-2023 06:10 PM               

Tianzhou-6 cargo craft docks to space stataion

China's Tianzhou-6 cargo craft docked with the Tiangong space station at 5:16 p.m. EDT (2116 GMT) on Wednesday (May 10), according to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA).

The Shenzhou 15 crew on board the space station will enter the cargo craft and transfer the payloads.

posted 06-05-2023 09:13 PM               

Tianzhou-5 re-docks with space station

China's Tianzhou-5 spacecraft re-docked with the Tiangong space station at 3:10 a.m. Beijing Time Tuesday, June 6 (3:10 p.m. EDT or 1910 GMT on June 5) after more than a month of independent flying, according to the China Manned Space Agency (CMS).

The cargo spacecraft separated from Tiangong on May 5 to leave room for its successor, Tianzhou-6. It had been flying freely for 33 days before the re-docking.

posted 09-12-2023 08:56 AM               

Tianzhou-5 cargo craft re-enters atmosphere after completing mission

China's Tianzhou-5 cargo craft re-entered the atmosphere in a controlled manner at 9:13 a.m. (Beijing Time) Tuesday (Sept. 12), according to the China Manned Space Agency.

Most of the spacecraft's components burned up during the re-entry, and a small amount of its debris fell into the predetermined safe waters of the South Pacific.

The Tianzhou-5 separated from the orbiting Tiangong space station combination at 4:46 p.m. Monday and switched to independent flight.

Launched on Nov. 12, 2022 from the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in the southern island province of Hainan, the Tianzhou-5 was loaded with propellants, materials for scientific experiments and supplies for taikonauts.

According to the agency, many application projects carried into space by the Tianzhou-5 are progressing smoothly and have achieved fruitful results. Among them is the Macao Student Science Satellite 1, which was stowed in the cargo craft before being released into orbit on Dec. 18, 2022.

This satellite is operating stably in orbit, functioning as a space-based scientific practice platform for amateur radio enthusiasts in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, on both sides of the Taiwan Strait and around the world. It has vigorously promoted the in-depth cooperation and exchanges between the Chinese mainland and Macao in space science popularization and education, the agency noted.

The in-orbit test of space hydrogen-oxygen fuel cells is another experimental achievement onboard the Tianzhou-5, providing data and theoretical support for China's future manned lunar explorations.

Other key payloads include the space high-energy particle detection equipment, which completed an extravehicular mission.

At present, three batches of application projects have been carried by Tianzhou into space. The agency said future manned space missions will continue to open its cargo craft payloads to the public.

posted 01-13-2024 12:16 PM               

China's Tianzhou-6 cargo craft separates from space station

The Tianzhou-6 cargo craft, tasked with carrying supplies for China's space station, separated from the station at 4:02 p.m. Friday Beijing Time on Friday (Jan. 12) and switched to independent flight, according to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA).

The cargo craft will re-enter the atmosphere in a controlled manner in the future. Most of its components will burn up and be destroyed during the process, while a small amount of debris will fall into designated safe waters in the South Pacific, the CMSA said.

Launched on May 10, 2023, Tianzhou-6 has a loading capacity reaching over 7 tonnes, making itself the world's largest cargo spacecraft in service.

According to the CMSA, last month, Tianzhou-7, the spacecraft for the country's next space cargo mission, was transported to the launch site in the southern province of Hainan. Along with its carrier rocket, the cargo craft underwent assembly and testing to gear up for the launch as planned.

posted 01-17-2024 12:33 PM               

China's cargo craft Tianzhou-7 launches, docks with space station

China's cargo craft Tianzhou-7 completed its status setting and docked with the orbiting Tiangong space station on Thursday (Jan. 18 Beijing time), the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) said.

At 1:46 a.m. Beijing Time (1746 GMT or 12:46 p.m. EST on Jan. 17), Tianzhou-7 docked at the rear docking port of the Tianhe core module, said the CMSA.

The Shenzhou-17 crew members on board the space station will enter the cargo craft and transfer the payloads as scheduled.

The Long March-7 Y8 rocket, carrying Tianzhou-7, launched on Wednesday at 10:27 p.m. Beijing Time (1427 GMT or 9:27 a.m. EST) from the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in the southern island province of Hainan, the CMSA said.

After about 10 minutes, Tianzhou-7 separated from the rocket and entered its designated orbit. Its solar panels soon unfolded. The agency declared the launch a complete success.

Tianzhou-7 carries more than 260 items of supplies, including those for the astronaut system, space station system, application tasks and cargo spacecraft system, as well as other engineering goods, featuring a variety of cargo and large-sized items. The total weight of onboard materials reached about 5.6 tonnes.

Customized cargo packages for experiment payloads and other large-scale goods, each weighing over 100 kilograms, will be applied in the operation of the space station, space science experiments, and astronaut life support.

Tianzhou-7 also sends 2,400 kilograms of living supplies for the astronauts, including Lunar New Year goods and fresh fruits and vegetables. The packaging design has been optimized to ensure longer storage time and freshness.

The application system has loaded Tianzhou-7 with a total of 61 items weighing 473 kilograms, including experiment payloads, experiment units and samples, consumable items, and spare parts, to support continuous space experiments, according to Liu Wei, a researcher at the Technology and Engineering Center for Space Utilization under the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

The items also contain a set of life support devices to keep cell samples in good condition during this mission and a set of microfluidic chips with the temperature kept at 4 degrees Celsius, said Liu.

Those items will be transferred to the space station's experiment facility to carry out a total of 33 scientific experiments, such as the effect of space microgravity on human bone cells, the propellant fluid transport and stability under variable gravity, and the growth of nano precious metals in solution under microgravity. The experiments cover fields such as space life science, space material science, microgravity fluid physics, and combustion science, Liu added.