China Space Station

[selvaarchi]

Goodbye Tiangong-2

http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/201..._138241415.htm

China's space lab Tiangong-2 reentered the earth's atmosphere under control at around 9:06 p.m. on Friday (Beijing time), China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) said.

A small amount of the spacecraft's debris fell into the predetermined safe sea area in the South Pacific, according to the agency.

Tiangong-2's controlled reentry into the atmosphere marks the successful completion of all the tasks in the space lab phase in China's manned space program, said Zhou Jianping, chief designer of China's manned space program.

[selvaarchi]

"Chinese scientists say goodbye to Tiangong-2, expecting space station"

http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/201..._138241520.htm

After helping scientists complete many significant experiments such as growing rice and vegetables in space, observing the strongest explosions in the universe and setting up the most precise clock in space, China's first space lab Tiangong-2 ended its mission and reentered the atmosphere under control Friday night (Beijing Time).

With deep attachment, Chinese scientists recalled the experience of participating in the design and implementation of the space experiments on Tiangong-2 and also looked forward to more frontier research on China's future space station.

[selvaarchi]

One of the experiments to be conducted in the Chinese Space Station is from Norway and it is headed by a Canadian women. It is called “Tumours in Space,”.

https://norwegianscitechnews.com/201...mic-radiation/

Can weightlessness stop cancer from growing? One of the nine research projects that has been given the go-ahead for the new China Space Station scheduled for 2022 is designed to answer this exact question.

The unique laboratory conditions offered by the International Space Station and the to-be-launched China Space Station (CSS) allow for research on everything from ultrasound diagnostics in microgravity to studies of crystal growth.

Now, when the China Space Station is ready to begin research projects around 2022, it will include an unusual cancer research project called “Tumours in Space,” headed by a Canadian researcher based in Norway. The project will examine the roles of both microgravity and cosmic radiation in tumour growth and development.


Tricia Larose. Photo: Elisabeth Anstensen Photography
Not only is the project one of just nine selected by the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) and the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) under their programme to provide scientists from all over the world with the opportunity to fly experiments on the CSS, it is the only one among the 9 selected that is headed by a woman.

[selvaarchi]

"China begins tests for launch of space station module on Long March-5B rocket"

https://www.scmp.com/news/china/scie...-long-march-5b

China will press on with work on a permanent space station after the core module and carrier rocket for the vehicle arrived at the launch site for rehearsals and preparation, the developer said on Tuesday.

The Tianhe module was recently transported to the Wenchang Satellite Launch Centre on the southern Chinese island of Hainan for three months of trials with a Long March-5B rocket, the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) said on its WeChat social media account.

The trials were designed to simulate the launch procedure, test the rocket and the operation of the module, with the goal of “laying a solid foundation for the formal mission”.

[selvaarchi]

"Construction of China's space station about to start"

http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/202..._138801887.htm

The maiden flight of the Long March-5B rocket carrying a trial version of China's new-generation manned spaceship is expected to take place in April, indicating the imminent start of construction of China's space station.

The rocket, the prototype core capsule of the space station and the experimental manned spaceship are undergoing tests at the Wenchang Space Launch Center on the coast of south China's island province of Hainan.

During the flight in mid to late April, the experimental manned spaceship will be sent into space with no crew. The prototype of the core capsule of the space station will not be launched.

[selvaarchi]

"China Space Station – is it worth it?"

https://westeastspace.com/2020/03/30...s-it-worth-it/

Based on the experience of the USSR and China, the main reasons why space leaders and countries that claim to become ones invest huge amounts of money in the construction of space stations can be identified. Once again, let us list and prioritize them:

Military advantage is a practice-oriented goal, which is aimed at ensuring national security. As a rule, it serves as an impetus to start developing manned programs.
Prestige and political influence is an important goal, its effect is quite obvious, although it is hard to estimate in quantitative terms. It allows politicians to gain the support of the population and strengthen the position of the state on the world arena.
Progress in science and technology is a long-term goal that allows significant breakthroughs in many fields of science, from basic physics and astronomy to medicine and information technology. Very often, technological developments that were initially applied in a space station are later applied in other fields.
The platform for international cooperation is an even more long-term goal, which allows for more effective implementation of the state’s foreign policy. To achieve this goal, a more advanced level of development of manned programs is required, at a minimum, the existence of its own multi-module station.

[7cscb]

"China Space Station – is it worth it?"

https://westeastspace.com/2020/03/30...s-it-worth-it/

The biggest reason for China to develop anything in space is today economic. The rest of the stuff the author states is mostly nonsense from a few decades ago.

My $0.02

[selvaarchi]

"Long March 5B rolled out for crewed spacecraft, space station test launch"

https://spacenews.com/long-march-5b-...n-test-launch/

China rolled out a Long March 5B launcher Wednesday for a mission to prove space station launch capabilities and test a new spacecraft for deep space human spaceflight.

Images of the Long March 5B shared on Chinese social media indicated that the rollout at Wenchang Satellite Launch Center was completed early April 29.

Launch from the coastal Wenchang launch site can now be expected around May 5. However, an official announcement has not yet been made.

[selvaarchi]

"Three types of rockets to shoulder construction of China's space station"

https://www.spacedaily.com/reports/T...ation_999.html

China's new large carrier rocket Long March-5B made its maiden flight on Tuesday, sending the trial version of China's new-generation manned spaceship and a cargo return capsule for test into space.

The successful flight inaugurated the "third step" of China's manned space program, which is to construct a space station, said the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA). After a successful maiden flight, China's Long March-5B carrier rocket joins the Long March-2F and Long March-7 to shoulder the construction of China's space station.

[selvaarchi]

"More details of China's space station unveiled"

http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/202..._139066005.htm

After the successful maiden flight of the Long March-5B large rocket and the testing of China's new-generation manned spaceship, more details of China's space station have been unveiled.

The space station, expected to be completed around 2022, will operate in the low-Earth orbit at an altitude from 340 km to 450 km for more than 10 years, supporting large-scale scientific, technological and application experiments, according to a report in the People's Daily.

The space station Tiangong, meaning Heavenly Palace, will be able to accommodate three astronauts in normal circumstances and up to six during a crew replacement.

The station will be a T shape with the core module at the center and a lab capsule on each side. Each of the modules will be over 20 tonnes, with the total mass of the station about 66 tonnes, said Zhou Jianping, chief designer of China's manned space program.

[selvaarchi]

"China outlines intense space station launch schedule, new astronaut selection"

https://spacenews.com/china-outlines...aut-selection/

China is preparing to carry out 11 missions in two years to construct a space station and will soon select a new batch of astronauts for the project.

The first module for the Chinese space station will launch next year, said Zhou Jianping, chief designer of China’s human spaceflight program, on the sidelines of a political conference in Beijing Tuesday.

Launch of the Tianhe core module on a Long March 5B could take place at Wenchang in early 2021. This will be followed by a crewed Shenzhou flight, from Jiuquan, and a Tianzhou cargo mission. The first of two experiment modules will then launch for docking with Tianhe.

In total 11 launches will be conducted to complete the construction of the space station by around 2023, Zhou said (Chinese). These will be the launch of the core and two experiment modules, as well as four crewed spacecraft and four cargo spacecraft.

The intensive launch plan was revealed following the successful test flight of the Long March 5B heavy-lift rocket May 5. The missions will be conducted using Long March 5B, Long March 2F and Long March 7 launch vehicles.

[selvaarchi]

China is gearing up for the construction of their space station. Latest is the recruitment of 18 new astronauts.

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/20201...d0ba7cf78.html

The third batch of Chinese astronauts has been selected for the nation's coming space station mission, the China Manned Space Agency said on Thursday morning.

The 18 new astronauts – 17 men and one woman – are in three groups: seven will become spacecraft pilots, another seven will turn into spaceflight engineers, and the last four will be mission payload specialists, the agency said in a statement.

Next, they will start undergoing systematic and sophisticated training before joining spaceflight missions, it said.

Before them, China had 21 astronauts from two generations. Among them, 11 have taken part in spaceflight during six missions.

[selvaarchi]

"China Space Station Plans Detailed"

http://www.leonarddavid.com/china-sp...lans-detailed/

China’s preparations for construction of that nation’s space station is picking up speed, striving to complete the plan for on-orbit construction of their orbiting outpost around 2022.

“In the two years from next year to the year after that, 11 missions will be conducted to complete the on-orbit construction of the Chinese space station. Subsequent missions will be carried out in high density. Astronauts will stay in orbit for long periods and carry out larger-scale space science experiments and technical experiments,” said Hao Chun, director of the China Manned Space Engineering Office in a recent China Central Television (CCTV) interview.

[7cscb]

I admit I don't pursue the details but the Chinese space endeavours seem so opaque to me. So this catches me by surprise. Hopefully there'll be more media coverage as the human program progresses.

11 missions in 2 years seems quite ambitious. There've been a number of launch failures recently. Is this is a reflection of serious problems or just bad luck? Regardless, I hope it is all successful.

This is good news for all space exploration fans.

[selvaarchi]

I admit I don't pursue the details but the Chinese space endeavours seem so opaque to me. So this catches me by surprise. Hopefully there'll be more media coverage as the human program progresses.

11 missions in 2 years seems quite ambitious. There've been a number of launch failures recently. Is this is a reflection of serious problems or just bad luck? Regardless, I hope it is all successful.

This is good news for all space exploration fans.

Two of the failures were with new rockets. Delay with their Space station was due to the initial problems they had with their LM-5. They have overcome those problems, and used the LM-5 to send their Mars probe. Next month the Chang'e-5 mission will also use the LM-5.

[selvaarchi]

With the selection of 18 new astronauts, the Chinese Space station is in mission preparation stage.

http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/202..._139459005.htm

China's manned space program has entered the mission preparation stage with the selection of a new group of 18 reserve astronauts.

According to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA), the reserve astronauts, including one female, have been selected recently from 2,500 candidates. Among them are seven spacecraft pilots, seven space flight engineers and four payload experts.

Flight engineers and payload experts have been selected for the first time as reserve astronauts to meet China's space station construction needs.

The mission preparation stage is not only expected to deliver more scientific research output but also boost the development of commercial space programs, international cooperation and popular science education, said Hao Chun, director general of the CMSA, at a space forum in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, on Tuesday.

[selvaarchi]

"University starts construction on astronomy center in China's Greater Bay Area"

http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/202..._139491003.htm

Construction has begun on a science center led by the Guangzhou-based Sun Yat-sen University, with the aim to boost astronomy research in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, sources with the university said.

The center is a part of a project known as the Chinese Space Station Telescope (CSST), which is scheduled to be launched into a low-Earth orbit in 2024. The telescope will function as a space optical observatory for Chinese scientists to carry out sky surveys, said Yu Cong, a professor with the university, told Xinhua earlier this week.

The China Manned Space Engineering Office plans to build four CSST science centers nationwide. The other three are located in Peking University, the National Astronomical Observatories, and the Yangtze River Delta region.

[selvaarchi]

"Core module of China's first space station to be launched in 2021"

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/20201...d0ba9e948.html

China will launch the core module of the country's first space station in the first half of next year, Zhou Jianping, chief designer of China's manned space project, said on Friday.

The space station is expected to be finished around 2022. All testing work of its core module has been completed and the Long March 5B rocket, a heavy-lift launch vehicle which carried out its successful maiden flight in May, is also in its final stage of testing, he said.

After the core module enters into the orbit, China will launch the cargo spacecraft Tianzhou-2 and manned spacecraft Shenzhou-12 and the astronaut crew will stay in space for several months before the launch of Tianzhou-3 and Shenzhou-13 which will send the second crew into the space, Zhou added.

"During this period, we will carry out comprehensive verification of the new technologies of the space station, including astronauts' spacewalk, robotic arms and energy technologies," he said.

[selvaarchi]

We can see progress in the preparation for the 1st launch of the LM-5B. They carried out the 4th reliability test run for its high-thrust oxyhydrogen engine.

https://news.cgtn.com/news/2021-01-0...VOw/index.html

China completed a reliability test run for its high-thrust oxyhydrogen engine designed for the Long March-5B carrier rocket on Friday, a critical step in the preparation for the subsequent space missions.

The Long March-5B carrier rocket will be used for launches of different modules of China's space station as the core module is scheduled to launch this spring.

The engine ran 500 seconds during the test – the same amount of time of its designed full work cycle. It is the fourth time the engine has been tested with 500 seconds, showing great ability of extending service life, one of the goals of the test.

[selvaarchi]

"China gears up for space station, cargo and crewed mission launches"

https://spacenews.com/china-gears-up...sion-launches/

China is preparing to launch three major missions in the next few months to initiate the construction phase of the country’s space station project.

The China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT) is finalizing work on rockets which will launch the first space station module, a cargo and refueling craft and a crewed mission.

The launches will be the first of 11 planned missions to construct a three-module Chinese space station. The activity marks the beginning of the end phase of a project approved in 1992 to develop human spaceflight capabilities and establish a long-term crewed presence in low Earth orbit.

[selvaarchi]

A 3 minute video by Zhang Bainan Chief Engineer, CAST and his take on the space station.

https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/in...895#msg2177895

[selvaarchi]

"China's space station core module, cargo craft pass factory review"

http://www.ecns.cn/news/sci-tech/202...e1835344.shtml

The core module of China's planned space station has passed a factory review, along with the project's Tianzhou-2 cargo craft and the core module mission products of the space application systems, the China Manned Space Engineering Office (CMSEO) said Thursday.

The completion of the factory review, conducted by experts at China's manned space program, means the construction project of the country's space station will now enter the implementation phase, the CMSEO statement said.

[selvaarchi]

"China's first space station module is ready for flight"

https://www.space.com/china-space-st...e-tianhe-ready

he core module for China's planned orbital space station has passed a flight acceptance review and will now launch in the coming months, marking the beginning of a flurry of major missions by the country.

The announcement from China Manned Space, the country's human spaceflight agency onJan. 14 comes as China gears up for the construction phase of its own, three-module space station.

The core module, named Tianhe and meaning "harmony of the heavens," will be the main living quarters for crews of three astronauts on visits of up to six months at a time.

[selvaarchi]

"Astronauts training for space station missions"

https://www.spacedaily.com/reports/A...sions_999.html

Chinese astronauts have started receiving intensive training for spaceflights tasked with building the nation's space station, the China Manned Space Agency said on Tuesday.

Several astronauts have spent the past year in hard training and are now in the prelaunch training phase, focusing on extravehicular activities and some other operations, it said in a news release.

The agency said its scientists, engineers, technicians and workers have also been busy preparing for the missions. It did not give more details, such as the roles of those taking part in the training sessions.

[selvaarchi]

"China assembling rocket to launch first space station module"

https://spacenews.com/china-assembli...tation-module/

The Long March 5B heavy-lift rocket to launch China’s first space station module is soon to be assembled at Wenchang for launch in April.

The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp. (CASC) stated Thursday that the Long March 5B was headed for Wenchang, citing a Feb. 16 press release from the China Manned Space Engineering Office (CMSEO).

The 849-metric-ton Long March 5B heavy-lift rocket will launch the roughly 22-metric-ton Tianhe core module from Wenchang Satellite Launch Center following delivery, assembly, integration and testing.

[selvaarchi]

"Chinese rocket for space station mission transported to launch site"

http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/202..._139759084.htm

The Long March-5B Y2 rocket, which is to launch the core module of China's space station, was safely transported to the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in Hainan Province on Monday.

According to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA), the rocket, along with the core module Tianhe that has been transported to Wenchang, will be assembled and tested at the launch site.

[Zartan]

Has there been any word about possible international co-operation with the Chinese space station program? Wikipedia only mentions some sort of agreement with Italy.

[selvaarchi]

Has there been any word about possible international co-operation with the Chinese space station program? Wikipedia only mentions some sort of agreement with Italy.

They do have a working relationships with ESA and Russia on their space stations. Also at least one African country that I know off.

[selvaarchi]

Has there been any word about possible international co-operation with the Chinese space station program? Wikipedia only mentions some sort of agreement with Italy.

Here is an article from 2019 on nine international scientific projects to be conducted on the space station. It is being coordinated through the offices of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA).

https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/2019...577230d2c.html

China Space Station is set to welcome aboard nine international scientific projects from 17 countries covering a wide range of research areas.

They include space life sciences and biotechnology, microgravity physics and astronomy, the China Manned Space Agency and the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs announced on Wednesday in Vienna, Austria.

It is the first time a Chinese space mission has invited all members of the UN to conduct experiments, and is a milestone in the advancement of China's manned space program from independent development to global cooperation, said Lin Xiqiang, the agency's deputy director.

The agency's head, Hao Chun, said at the event that China will be "delighted" to see scientists from different countries, nationalities and cultural backgrounds conducting space experiments on China Space Station.

"The purpose of China's manned space program is to benefit all mankind by peacefully using outer space, which is also in line with UNOOSA's values. China Manned Space Agency is willing to adhere to the principles of equality, mutual benefits and common development and continue the exchanges with other countries and regions in the world that are also committed to this purpose," Hao said.

China and project applicants will sign cooperation agreements by the end of 2019, and the station is expected to be put into use around 2022. The agency will continue to work closely with UNOOSA and open a second round of applications in a timely manner.