TIANHE MODULE

TIANHE MODULE

Subject: Science & tech

Context: China launched the core module of its space station, kicking off a series of key launch missions that aim to complete the construction of the station by the end of next year.

Concept:

• The Long March-5B Y2 rocket, carrying the Tianhe module, blasted off from the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site on the coast of the southern island province of Hainan.
• The Tianhe module will act as the management and control hub of the space station Tiangong, meaning Heavenly Palace, with a node that could dock with up to three spacecraft at a time for short stays, or two for long
• Tianhe has a total length of 16.6 meters, a maximum diameter of 4.2 meters and a take-off mass of 22.5 tonnes, and is the largest spacecraft developed by China.
• The space station will be a T shape with the core module at the centre and a lab capsule on each side.
• The station will operate in the low-Earth orbit at an altitude from 340 km to 450 km. It has a designed lifespan of 10 years, but experts believe it could last more than 15 years with appropriate maintenance and repairs.

China’s Space Station:

• The new, 66-tonne, multi-module Tiangong station is set to be operational for at least 10 years.
• Tianhe is one of three main components of what would be China’s first self-developed space station, rivalling the only other station in service – the ISS.
• It forms the main living quarters for three crew members in the Chinese space station.
• The Tianhe launch is the first of 11 missions needed to complete the space station, which will orbit Earth at an altitude of 340 to 450 km.
• In the later missions, China will launch the two other core modules, four manned spacecraft and four cargo spacecraft.