China aims to break space launch record and complete Tiangong in 2022

China had completed 55 successful launch missions in the year 2021 and set the current world record. In 2022, China is going to break its own record by completing more than 60 space launches. 

Among these 60 planned launches, six of them are crewed (載人的) missions to complete the construction of China’s Tiangong (or Heavenly Palace 天宫) Space Station. 

On June 5, the Shenzhou 14 mission launched three astronauts to the Tianhe core module (天和核心艙). The trio, including Cai Xuzhe, Chen Dong and Liu Yang, will spend six months on the Tiangong to add two modules to the station.

During this time, the astronauts will prepare the Tianhe module for the arrival of the remaining two modules needed to complete the Tiangong Space Station. They are tasked to convert the Tiangong from being a single-module facility into a fully-fledged(成熟的)space laboratory and docking (太空對) station with three modules. In doing so, they will oversee the installation (安裝) of two laboratories, taking it from a single module to a T-shaped module.

Photo source: istock

China plans to launch the second space station module called Wentian (meaning Quest for the Heavens 問天) in late July. The third module Mengtian (meaning Dreaming of Heavens 夢天) is undergoing final assembly and is planned to be launched in October. Both Wentian and Mengtian are laboratory modules which are primary designed to host scientific experiments. Wentian also has new airlock (密封艙) facilities for extravehicular (艙外的) activities, or spacewalks. The module will add a second, smaller robotic arm to the space station.  

Wentian and Mengtian will dock with the Tianhe core module (which was launched in April 2021) to complete the T-shaped Tiangong space station before the end of the year. A large robotic arm on the Tianhe will grab and move the new modules into position after they dock with Tianhe

Once the three modules are launched, a mission named Shenzhou 15 will take three more astronauts to the Tiangong to join the Shenzhou 14 crew, according to the State Council of the PRC. 

The six astronauts will live on the station for several days before the Shenzhou 14 crew returns to Earth. This would be the first time the station has six people aboard. The Shenzhou 15 crew will carry on for another six months in order to complete the integration of the Tiangong modules. China is the third country to launch astronauts into space on its own after the former Soviet Union and United States. In 2003, China launched its first astronaut into orbit. In 2013, it landed robot rovers (探測器)on the moon. In 2020, it landed Yutu 2 (玉兔2) rover on the far side of the moon. Last year, China landed robot rovers on Mars. As a latecomer to space exploration, China has been a quick learner and innovator in its endeavours. As a laboratory and a halfway station for longer journeys, the Tiangong Space Station will work to further China’s space technology and promote international collaboration (合作). 

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