Tiangong space station

Tiangong (Chinese: 天宫; pinyin: Tiāngōng; lit. 'Palace in the Sky'),[5][6] officially the Tiangong space station (Chinese: 天宫空间站), is a space station being constructed by China in low Earth orbit between 340 and 450 km (210 and 280 mi) above the surface. Being China's first long-term space station, it is the goal of the "Third Step" of the China Manned Space Program. Once completed, Tiangong will have a mass between 80 and 100 t (180,000 and 220,000 lb), roughly one-fifth the mass of the International Space Station and about the size of the decommissioned Russian Mir space station.

This article is about the ongoing construction of a Chinese modular space station. For an overview of the Chinese space station programme as a whole, see Tiangong program.

Tiangong Space Station[1]
A rendering of the Tiangong Space Station in its current construction state as of March 2022, with the Tianhe core module in the middle, Tianzhou at two ends and the Shenzhou at the nadir.
Station statistics
CrewFully crewed: 3 [2]
Currently aboard: 0
Expedition: No Expedition
Commander: N/A
Launch29 April 2021 (Tianhe)
2022 (Wentian and Mengtian)
Launch padWenchang Spacecraft Launch Site LC-1
Mission statusUnder construction
Mass100,000 kg (upon completion)
Length~ 20.00 m
Diameter~ 4.20 m
Pressurised volumeHabitable: 110 m3 (3,880 cu ft) (planned)
Periapsis altitude389.5 km[3]
Apoapsis altitude395 km[3]
Orbital inclination41.58°[3]
Typical orbit altitude389.2 km[3]
Orbital speed7.68 km/s[3]
Orbital period92.2 minutes[4]
Days in orbit370 days, 2 hours, 21 minutes
(4 May 2022)
Days occupied272 days, 4 hours and 54 minutes
Statistics as of 16 April 2022

The construction of the station is based on the experience gained from its precursors, Tiangong-1 and Tiangong-2.[7][8][9] The first module, the Tianhe ("Harmony of the Heavens") core module, was launched on 29 April 2021,[5][6] followed by multiple crewed and uncrewed missions and two more modules to be launched in 2022.[7] Chinese leaders have expressed the hope that the research conducted on the station will improve researchers' ability to conduct science experiments in space, beyond the duration and capacity offered by China's existing space laboratories.[10]

Nomenclature

It has been attributed to former paramount leader Deng Xiaoping for the decision that the names used in the space program, previously all chosen from the revolutionary history of the People's Republic, would be replaced with mystical-religious ones. Thus, the new Long March launch vehicles were renamed Divine Arrow (神箭),[11][12] space capsule Divine Vessel (神舟),[13] spaceplane Divine Dragon (神龙),[14] land-based high-power laser Divine Light (神光)[15] and supercomputer Divine Might (神威).[16]

These poetic[17] names continue as the first, second, third, fourth and fifth Chinese Lunar probes are called Chang'e after the Moon goddess. The name "Tiangong" means "heavenly palace". Across China, the launch of Tiangong-1 was reported to have inspired a variety of feelings, including love poetry. The rendezvous of the space vehicles has been compared to the reunion of the cowherd and the weaver girl.[18]

Wang Wenbao, director of the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA), told a news conference in 2011: "Considering past achievements and the bright future, we feel the manned space programme should have a more vivid symbol, and that the future space station should carry a resounding and encouraging name. We now feel that the public should be involved in the names and symbols, as this major project will enhance national prestige and strengthen the national sense of cohesion and pride".[17][19][20]

On 31 October 2013, CMSA announced the new names for the whole space station program:[8]

Purpose and mission

According to CMSA, which operates the space station, the purpose and mission of Tiangong is listed as: Further development of spacecraft rendezvous technology; Breakthrough in key technologies such as permanent human operations in orbit, long-term autonomous spaceflight of the space station, regenerative life support technology, and autonomous cargo and fuel supply technology; Test of next-generation orbit transportation vehicles; Scientific and practical applications at large-scale in orbit; Development of technology that can aid future deep space exploration.[27][28][29]

In addition, private sector commercial activities being encouraged, according to the designer of China's human spaceflight program: “When our space station is completed and running, we will actively encourage the private sector to engage in space through various ways.” “We hope there will be competitive, cost-efficient commercial space players to participate in areas including space applications and space resource development.”[30]

Operations will be controlled from the Beijing Aerospace Flight Control Center in China. To guarantee the safety of astronauts on board, a Long March 2F with a Shenzhou spacecraft will always be on standby for an emergency rescue mission.[31]

Structure
"T" concept of the Chinese large modular space station

The space station will be a third generation modular space station. First generation space stations, such as early Salyut, Almaz, and Skylab, were single piece stations and not designed for resupply. Second generation Salyut 6 and 7, and Tiangong 1 and 2 stations, are designed for mid-mission resupply. Third generation stations, such as Mir and the International Space Station, are modular space stations, assembled on-orbit from pieces launched separately. Modularised design methods can greatly improve reliability, reduce costs, shorten development cycle, and meet diversified task requirements.[7]

Solar arraySolar array
Solar arraySolar arrayDocking portSolar arraySolar array
Wentian
laboratory		Tianhe
core module		Mengtian
laboratory
Solar arrayEVA hatchDocking portDocking portSolar array

Modules
The Tianhe core module at the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site prior to launch, 2021

The initial target configuration for the end of 2022 consists of three modules, which may be expanded to six in the future.[32]

The Tianhe Core Cabin Module (CCM) provides life support and living quarters for three crew members, and provides guidance, navigation, and orientation control for the station. The module also provides the station's power, propulsion, and life support systems. The module consists of three sections: living quarters, service section and a docking hub. The living quarters will contain a kitchen and toilet, fire control equipment, atmospheric processing and control equipment, computers, scientific apparatus, communications equipment to send and receive communications via ground control in Beijing, and other equipment.

An ISS Canadian-style SSRMS robotic arm, dubbed "Chinarm" was folded under the Tianhe core module. Additionally, the Wentian and Mengtian experiment modules (described below) will carry a duplicate stowed second SSRMS robotic arm. In 2018 fullscale mockup of CCM was publicly presented at China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition in Zhuhai. The video from CNSA revealed that two of these core modules have been built. Artist impressions have also depicted the two core modules docked together to enlarge the overall station.

The first of two Laboratory Cabin Modules, Wentian and Mengtian respectively, will provide additional navigation avionics, propulsion and orientation control as backup functions for the CCM. Both LCMs will provide a pressurised environment for researchers to conduct science experiments in freefall or microgravity which could not be conducted on Earth for more than a few minutes. Experiments can also be placed on the outside of the modules for exposure to the space environment, cosmic rays, vacuum, and solar winds.

Like Mir and the Russian orbital segment of the ISS, the Tiangong modules will be carried fully assembled into orbit, in contrast to the US Orbital Segment of the ISS, which required spacewalking to interconnect cables, piping, and structural elements manually. The axial port of the LCMs will be fitted with rendezvous equipment and will first dock to the axial port of the CCM. A mechanical arm dubbed, as Indexing robotic arm, looking a sort of Lyappa arm used on the Mir space station will then move the module to a radial port of the CCM.[33] It is different from Lyappa as it works on a different mechanism. Lyappa arm is needed to control the pitch of the spacecraft and redocking in a different plane. But the indexing robot arm where docking is needed in the same plane. In addition to this arm used for docking relocation, the Chinarm on Tianhe module can also be used as a backup.[34][35]

Module Launch time and International Designator Launch vehicle Docking date and position Length Diameter Mass Image
Tianhe core module 29 April 2021 03:23:15 UTC

2021-035A

 Long March 5B (Y2) (Core Module) 16.6 m (54 ft) 4.2 m (14 ft) 22,600 kg (49,800 lb)
The Tianhe core module consists of three sections: the habitable living quarter, the non-habitable service section, and a docking hub.[36][37]
Wentian module 24 July 2022[38] (Planned) Long March 5B (Y3) (Planned) July 2022 (Planned)

Front → Left of the Tianhe core module (Planned)

 17.9 m (59 ft)[39] 4.2 m (14 ft) ~20,000 kg (44,000 lb)
The initial lab module, which also serves as the backup platform of the core module with capability of space station control and management. It has its own airlock served as main exit for future spacewalking and a second mechanical arm for the station.[37]
Mengtian module October 2022 (Planned) Long March 5B (Y4) (Planned) October 2022 (Planned)

Front → Right of the Tianhe core module (Planned)

 17.9 m (59 ft)[39] 4.2 m (14 ft) ~20,000 kg (44,000 lb)
The second lab module. It has its own airlock for supplement and equipment transportation.[37]

Power supply

Electrical power is provided by two steerable solar power arrays on each module, which use gallium arsenide photovoltaic cells to convert sunlight into electricity. Energy is stored to power the station when it passes into the Earth's shadow. Resupply spacecraft will replenish fuel for the station's propulsion engines for station keeping, to counter the effects of atmospheric drag. The solar arrays are designed to last up to 15 years.[40]

Docking

Tiangong is fitted with Chinese Docking Mechanism used by Shenzhou spacecraft and previous Tiangong prototypes. The Chinese docking mechanism is based on the Russian APAS-89/APAS-95 system. Despite NASA describing it as a "clone" to APAS,[41] there have been contradictory claims on the compatibility of the Chinese system with both current and future docking mechanisms on the ISS, which are also based on APAS.[42][43][44] It has a circular transfer passage that has a diameter of 800 mm (31 in).[45][46] The androgynous variant has a mass of 310 kg and the non-androgynous variant has a mass of 200 kg.[47]

Chinese Docking Mechanism was used for the first time on Shenzhou 8 and Tiangong 1 space station and will be used on future Chinese space stations and with future CMSA cargo resupply vehicles.[48][42]

Propulsion

Tiangong space station is fitted with conventional chemical propulsion and ion thrusters to adjust and maintain the station's orbit. Four Hall-effect thrusters are mounted on the hull of Tianhe core module.[49] The development of the Hall-effect thrusters is considered a sensitive topic in China, with scientists "working to improve the technology without attracting attention". Hall-effect thrusters are created with manned mission safety in mind with effort to prevent erosion and damage caused by the accelerated ion particles.[50]

A magnetic field and specially designed ceramic shield was created to repel damaging particles and maintain integrity of the thrusters. According to a report by the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the ion drive used on Tiangong has burned continuously for 8,240 hours without a glitch during the testing phase, indicating their suitability for Tiangong's designated 15-year lifespan.[50] These are the world's first Hall thrusters to be used on a human-rated mission.[51]

Experiments

The space station will have more than 20 experimental racks with enclosed, pressurized environment. Over 1,000 experiments are tentatively approved by CMSA.[52] The programmed experiment equipment for the three modules as of June 2016 are:[9]

  • Space life sciences and biotechnology
    • Ecology Science Experiment Rack (ESER)
    • Biotechnology Experiment Rack (BER)
    • Science Glove-box and Refrigerator Rack (SGRR)
  • Microgravity fluid physics and combustion
    • Fluids Physics Experiment Rack (FPER)
    • Two-phase System Experiment Rack (TSER)
    • Combustion Experiment Rack (CER)
  • Material science in space
    • Material Furnace Experiment Rack (MFER)
    • Container-less Material Experiment Rack (CMER)
  • Fundamental Physics in Microgravity
    • Cold Atom Experiment Rack (CAER)
    • High-precision Time-Frequency Rack (HTFR)
  • Multipurpose Facilities
    • High Micro-gravity Level Rack (HMGR)
    • Varying-Gravity Experiment Rack (VGER)
    • Modularized Experiment Rack (RACK)

Other associated modules
Spacecraft[lower-alpha 1] Launch time and International Designator Launch vehicle Operational date Notes Length Diameter Mass Image
Xuntian Space Station Telescope late 2023 (Planned) Long March 5B (Planned) late 2023 (Planned) Will share the same orbit and periodically dock with Tiangong 14 m (46 ft)[53] ~4.2 m (14 ft) 15,500 kg (34,200 lb)[53]
Planned Chinese space station telescope currently under development. It will feature a 2-meter (6.6 foot) diameter primary mirror and is expected to have a field of view 300 times larger than the Hubble Space Telescope. This will allow the telescope to image up to 40 percent of the sky using its 2.5 gigapixel camera over ten years. It will co-orbit with the space station, which will allow for periodic docking with the station.

Construction

Planning

In 2011, it was announced that the future space station was planned to be assembled during 2020 to 2022.[54] By 2013, the space station's core module was planned to be launched earlier, in 2018, followed by the first laboratory module in 2020, and a second in 2022.[55] By 2018, it was reported that this had slipped to 2020-2023.[23][56] A total of 11 launches are planned for the whole construction phase, now beginning in 2021.[57][58]

Assembly
A Long March 5B launching the Tianhe core module in April, 2021

The assembly method of the station can be compared with the Soviet-Russian Mir space station and the Russian orbital segment of the International Space Station. The construction of the modular station marks China to be the second nation to develop and use automatic rendezvous and docking for modular space station construction. The docking and assembly mechanisms of the Tiangong station are based on, or compatible with, Russian design due to two iterations of cross-agency cooperation in the past.[59]

During the cordial Sino-Soviet relations of the 1950s, the Soviet Union (USSR) had engaged in a cooperative technology transfer program with China, which helped kick-start the Chinese space program. However, the friendly relationship between the two countries soon turned to confrontation due to ideological differences on Marxism. As a consequence, all Soviet technological assistance was abruptly withdrawn after the 1960 Sino-Soviet split. The cooperation was only restarted after the fall of the Soviet Union.[59]

In 1994, Russia sold some of its advanced aviation and space technology to China. In 1995, a deal was signed between the two countries for the transfer of Russian Soyuz spacecraft technology to China. Included in the agreement were schedules for astronaut training, provision of Soyuz capsules, life support systems, docking systems, and space suits. In 1996, two Chinese astronauts, Wu Jie and Li Qinglong, began training at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Russia. After training, these men returned to China and proceeded to train other Chinese astronauts at sites near Beijing and Jiuquan.[59]

The hardware and information sold by the Russians led to modifications of the original Phase One spacecraft, eventually called Shenzhou, loosely translatable as "divine vessel". New launch facilities were built at the Jiuquan launch site in Inner Mongolia, and in the spring of 1998 a mock-up of the Long March 2F launch vehicle with Shenzhou spacecraft was rolled out for integration and facility tests.[59]

A representative of the Chinese crewed space program stated that around 2000, China and Russia were engaged in technological exchanges regarding the development of a docking mechanism used for space station.[60] Deputy Chief Designer, Huang Weifen, stated that near the end of 2009, CMSA began to train astronauts on how to dock spacecraft.[61]

During the construction phase of the station in 2021, according to documents filed by CMSA with the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs and reported by Reuters, the station had two "close encounters" with Elon Musk's Starlink satellites on July 1 and October 21, with the station conducting evasive adjustment maneuvers.[62]

International co-operation
See also: China exclusion policy of NASA

China's incentive to build its own space station was amplified after NASA refused Chinese participation in the International Space Station in 2011,[63] although China, Russia and Europe mutually vowed intentions to maintain a cooperative and multilateral approach in space.[64] Cooperation in the field of crewed space flight between the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) and the Italian Space Agency (ASI) was examined in 2011 and participation in the development of China crewed space stations and cooperation with China in the fields such as visiting astronauts, and scientific research was discussed.[65]

An initial cooperative agreement with China National Space Administration and Italian Space Agency was subsequently signed in November 2011, covering areas of collaboration within space transportation, telecommunications, Earth observation, etc.[66] In 2019, an Italian experiment High Energy cosmic-Radiation Detection (HERD) was scheduled on board the Chinese station.[67] Tiangong also involved cooperation from France, Sweden, and Russia.[68]

On 22 February 2017, the CMSA and the Italian Space Agency (ASI) signed an agreement to cooperate on long-term human spaceflight activities.[69] The agreement holds importance due to Italy's leading position in the field of human spaceflight with regards to the creation and exploitation of the International Space Station (Node 2, Node 3, Columbus, Cupola, Leonardo, Raffaello, Donatello, PMM, etc.) and it signified Italy's increased anticipation in China's developing space station programme.[70] The European Space Agency (ESA) started human spaceflight training with CMSEO in 2017, with the ultimate goal of sending ESA astronauts to Tiangong.[71]

International experiments were selected by the CMSA and the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) in a UN session in 2019. 42 applications were submitted and nine experiments were accepted.[72] Some of the experiments are a continuation to the ones on Tiangong-2 such as POLAR-2, an experiment of researching Gamma-ray burst polarimetry, proposed by Switzerland, Poland, Germany and China.[73] Tricia Larose from the University of Oslo of Norway develops a cancer research experiment for the station. The 31-days experiment will test to see if weightlessness has a positive effect in stopping cancer growth.[74] Tiangong is also expected to host experiments from Belgium, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Mexico, the Netherlands, Peru, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and Spain.[73]

Regarding the participation of foreign astronauts, CMSA has repeatedly communicated their support for such proposals. During the press conference of the Shenzhou 12 mission, Zhou Jianping, the chief designer of China Manned Space Program explained that multiple countries had expressed their wish to participate. He told journalists that the future participation of foreign astronauts "will be guaranteed".[75] Ji Qiming, an assistant director at CMSEO told reporters that he believes "in the near future, after the completion of the Chinese space station, we will see Chinese and foreign astronauts fly and work together."[76]

Life aboard

Tiangong is currently staffed with a crew of 3 people. Once the construction is complete, the crew size will increase to a maximum of 6 people, beginning with Shenzhou 15, scheduled to launch before the end of 2022.[2]

The station possesses a Wi-Fi network for wireless connection and each astronaut wears a bone-conduction headphone and microphone for easy communication.[77] Meals consisting of 120 different types of food, selected based on astronauts' preference, are stored aboard. Staples including shredded pork in garlic sauce, kung pao chicken, black pepper beef, pickled cabbage and beverages, including a variety of teas and juices, are resupplied by trips of the Tianzhou-class cargo ship. Fresh fruits and vegetables are stored in coolers. Huang Weifen, chief astronaut trainer of CNSA, explains that most of the food is prepared to be solid, boneless, small-piece. Condiments such as pork sauce and Sichuan pepper sauce are used to compensate for the changes in the sense of taste in microgravity. The station is equipped with a small kitchen for food preparation and the first-ever microwave oven in spaceflight[78] so that astronauts can "always have hot food whenever they need."[79][80]

The station's core module, Tianhe, provides the living quarters for the crew members,[81][82] containing of three separate sleeping berths,[83] a toilet, shower facility, and gym equipment.[84] At least one berth features a small window, a headphone, ventilation and other amenities. Neuromuscular electrical stimulator is used to prevent muscle atrophy. The noise level in the working area is set at 58 decibels, while in the sleeping area, the noise is kept at 49 decibels.[85][86]

Space lectures

A new feature on the space station is the regular showcase of lessons and conducting of scientific experiments from space to educate, motivate and inspire Chinese younger generation in science and technology for the long term development of the nation. The lecture is then finally concluded by a Question-and-Answer (Q&A) session to answer schoolchildren's questions from the classrooms.[87] The first Tiangong space lesson was conducted on 9 December 2021, as a part of the Shenzhou 13 mission.

Operation

The station's resupply is planned to be conducted by visiting crewed and robotic spacecraft.

Crewed mission

Initial crewed missions to Tiangong, including its first mission Shenzhou 12 which lasted the planned 90 days, uses the Shenzhou spacecraft. Subsequent missions starting with Shenzhou 13 will last a planned 180 days, this then would become the normal duration of a mission cycle at Tiangong.[88]

CMSA announced the testing of a next-generation crewed spacecraft to eventually replace Shenzhou. It is designed to carry astronauts to Tiangong and offer the capability for lunar exploration. China's next-generation crew carrier is reusable with a detachable heat shield built to handle higher-temperature returns through Earth's atmosphere. The new capsule design is larger than the Shenzhou, according to CMSA officials. The spacecraft is capable of carrying astronauts to the Moon, and can accommodate up to six to seven crew members at a time, three more astronauts than Shenzhou.[89] The new crewed spacecraft has a cargo section that allows astronauts to bring cargo back to Earth, whereas the Tianzhou cargo resupply spacecraft is not designed to bring any cargo back to Earth.[89]

Cargo resupply
Main article: Tianzhou (spacecraft)

Tianzhou (Heavenly Vessel), a modified derivative of the Tiangong-1 spacecraft, will be used as robotic cargo spacecraft to resupply this station.[90] The launch mass of Tianzhou is expected to be around 13,000 kg with a payload of around 6,000 kg.[91] Launch, rendezvous and docking shall be fully autonomous, with mission control and crew used in override or monitoring roles. This system becomes very reliable with standardisations that provide significant cost benefits in repetitive routine operations. An automated approach could allow assembly of modules orbiting other worlds prior to crewed missions.[92]

List of missions
See also: List of human spaceflights to the Tiangong space station and List of Tiangong Space Station expeditions
  • All dates are UTC. Dates are the earliest possible dates and may change.
  • Forward ports are at the front of the station according to its normal direction of travel and orientation (attitude). Aft is at the rear of the station, used by spacecraft boosting the station's orbit. Nadir is closest the Earth, zenith is on top. Port is to the left if pointing one's feet towards the Earth and looking in the direction of travel; starboard to the right.
Key
  Uncrewed cargo spacecraft are in light blue colour
  Crewed spacecraft are in light green colour
  Modules are in beige colour
Launch date (UTC) Docking date (UTC) Undocking date (UTC) Result Spacecraft/payload Launch vehicle Launch site Launch provider Docking/berthing port Duration[lower-alpha 2]
29 April 2021, 03:23:15[5] — — Success Tianhe Long March 5B Wenchang LC-1 CASC N/A
29 May 2021, 12:55:29[93] 29 May 2021, 21:01[94] 27 March 2022, 07:59 Tianzhou 2 Long March 7 Wenchang LC-2 CASC Tianhe port[lower-alpha 3]
17 June 2021, 01:22:27[95] 17 June 2021, 07:54[95] 16 September 2021, 00:56 [96] Shenzhou 12 Long March 2F Jiuquan SLS-1 CASC Tianhe forward 90 days, 14 hours and 8 minutes
20 September 2021, 07:10:11[97][98] 20 September 2021, 14:08[99] TBD Tianzhou 3 Long March 7 Wenchang LC-2 CASC Tianhe aft
15 October 2021, 16:23:56[100][101] 15 October 2021, 22:56[102] 15 April 2022, 16:44 [103] Shenzhou 13 Long March 2F Jiuquan SLS-1 CASC Tianhe nadir 181 days, 14 hours and 46 minutes
10 May 2022[104] TBD TBD Planned Tianzhou 4 Long March 7 Wenchang LC-2 CASC Tianhe aft
5 June 2022[105] TBD TBD Shenzhou 14 Long March 2F Jiuquan SLS-1 CASC Tianhe forward
24 July 2022[38][106] TBD — Wentian Long March 5B Wenchang LC-1 CASC Tianhe port
October 2022[106] TBD — Mengtian Long March 5B Wenchang LC-1 CASC Tianhe starboard
November 2022[107] TBD TBD Tianzhou 5 Long March 7 Wenchang LC-2 CASC Tianhe aft
December 2022[108] TBD TBD Shenzhou 15 Long March 2F Jiuquan SLS-1 CASC Tianhe nadir

End of mission

Tiangong is designed to be used for 10 years, though it could be extended to 15 years[109] and will accommodate three astronauts.[110] CMSA crewed spacecraft use deorbital burns to slow their velocity, resulting in their re-entry to the Earth's atmosphere. Vehicles carrying a crew have a heat shield which prevents the vehicle's destruction caused by aerodynamic heating upon contact with the Earth's atmosphere. The station itself has no heat-shield; however, small parts of space stations can reach the surface of the Earth, so uninhabited areas will be targeted for de-orbit manoeuvres.[55]

Notes
  1. Excludes visiting cargo like Tianzhou and crew vehicles like Shenzhou that are meant for supplementing the space station
  2. Duration is calculated from the moment of entry into the Tianhe core module to the time of undocking with the station.
  3. Initially docked to aft port, moved to forward port on 18 Sep 2021, and then again to portside port on 6 Jan 2022

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