Share This

Sunday 2 October 2011

China's Next Step in Space: Critical Docking Demo in November




by Denise Chow, SPACE.com Staff Writer

A Chinese Shenzhou spacecraft closes in on the country's Tiangong 1 space lab in this still from a mission profile video.
A Chinese Shenzhou spacecraft closes in on the country's Tiangong 1 space lab in this still from a mission profile video.
CREDIT: China Manned Space Engineering Office


The successful launch of China's first space laboratory module this week sets the stage for the future of the country's ambitious space program. But now that the spacecraft is in orbit, a major docking test looms ahead for China.

The unmanned Tiangong 1 prototype module launched Thursday (Sept. 29) from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China. Shortly after liftoff, officials at the Beijing Aerospace Flight Control Center, the Mission Control for China's human spaceflight program, confirmed that the cylindrical module had effectively unfurled its solar arrays.

Chang Wanquan, chief commander of the China Manned Space Engineering office, declared the launch a complete success shortly after liftoff. China's president Hu Jintao and other state officials attended the launch, according to state media and TV broadcasts. [Gallery: Tiangong 1, China's First Space Laboratory]



Full Video: China´s first space lab module enters space CCTV News - CNTV English
China's first destination in space

Tiangong 1, which means "Heavenly Palace 1" in Chinese, will now settle into an orbit 217 miles (350 kilometers) above Earth, and mission controllers will perform a series of systems tests.

The launch of Tiangong 1 is an important part of China's stepping stone strategy to human spaceflight. The space lab module will test crucial docking technology that will be required to meet the nation's goal of constructing a 60-ton space station in orbit by 2020. [Video: China's First Space Lab Module Lift-Off]
Chinese taikonauts NIE Haisheng and FEI Junlon...Image via Wikipedia

"The implementation of space rendezvous and docking mission, as well as the breakthrough and mastering of rendezvous and docking technology are the basis and premise for the construction of manned space station," China's Manned Space Engineering office spokeswoman Wu Ping told reporters before Tiangong 1 launched, according to a translation provided by the office. "It is of great significance for the realization of the three-step strategy of [the] China Manned Space Engineering Project, and the promotion of sustainable development of manned space flight."

China's three-step space exploration plan, according to past statements by Chinese space officials, is aimed at first perfecting its human spaceflight transporation system (the Shenzhou spacecraft), then building a space station and moving on to a manned moon landing.

This still from a China space agency video shows a cutaway of a Shenzhou spacecraft docked at the country's Tiangong 1 space lab.
This still from a China space agency video shows a cutaway of a Shenzhou spacecraft docked at the country's Tiangong 1 space lab, showing how astronauts will move between the two Chinese spacecraft.
CREDIT: China Manned Space Engineering Office

Critical docking tests ahead
With its first space destination sailing above Earth, China is now planning a series of orbital docking demonstration flights over the next two years.

The country plans to launch three separate spacecraft — Shenzhou 8, Shenzhou 9 and Shenzhou 10 — to robotically connect to Tiangong 1, which will mark the nation's first docking maneuvers in space. [Infographic: How China's First Space Station Will Work]

According to state media reports, the unmanned Shenzhou 8 spacecraft could be launched in early November, and the mission is expected to last at least 12 days. At least two docking demonstrations will be performed.

If the Shenzhou 8 mission is successful, Shenzhou 9 and Shenzhou 10 are expected to follow in 2012. The Shenzhou 10 flight may also carry the first astronauts to the Tiangong 1 module, a crew that could also include China's first female astronaut, according to state media reports.

China is only the third nation, after the United States and Russia, to independently launch humans into orbit. China's first manned mission, Shenzhou 5, was piloted by Yang Liwei on Oct. 15, 2003. Two more manned missions followed, in 2005 and 2008.

Newscribe : get free news in real time  

Related articles

8 comments:

  1. The future is in our hands!

    ReplyDelete
  2. As function styles have reduced and style resources enhanced over the years, the highest possible difficulty possible in an ASIC is continuing to grow from 5,000 entrance to over 100 thousand. 

    ReplyDelete
  3. When time comes that this war persist, Philippines will do nothing. We can't win on that country without the help our friend America!

    Local News in the Philippines

    ReplyDelete
  4. Apple, you relate to South China Sea issue? Looks like you are happy to depend on the former colonial rulers' aid, the blank cheque?

    ReplyDelete
  5. Payday loans have become very helpful since you can never tell when a situation may occur and discover you in a economic disaster. You will discover that you are able to deal with the disaster by getting in touch with a good lender and within minutes you will have the cash that you need. The cash advance financial loans save you the discomfort of credit from family even during those situations when you run out of cash and still have things to deal with before the next payday loan.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Property loan is a cash credit obtained for the purpose of purchasing a residential or commercial real estate asset wherein the home or home buyer plans to make an ongoing or long-term profit in the future. The money granted as loan may be used to purchase a vacation real estate asset, a piece of land, condominium unit, upper fixer property, apartment, single-family house and a single detached house.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I hope Malaysian law firm will get and embrace the technology very soon, thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  8. i think it would be difficult for citizens to pay.

    ReplyDelete