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Space Station
In the third phase of the Chinese human spaceflight programme (Project 921-III), a permanently-manned multi-modular space station will be built in the low Earth orbit. In October 2010, Chinese state media reported that the government had given go-ahead to the Manned Space Station Programme, with the construction expected to begin around 2020.
Chinese space station concept
Construction
As the first step of the project, a 20t-mass core module will be launched into the orbit. The core module will be attached with a docking hub with five docking ports, through which various function modules and spacecraft can be attached to the core module. The eventual structure of the space station may comprise a core module and two experimental modules. The station is re-supplied by a cargo ship, and can be visited by successive crew onboard the Shenzhou spacecraft.
None of China’s existing launch vehicles will be able to send these modules into the orbit. These modules will be launched onboard the next-generation Changzheng 5 (CZ-5) heavy-lift launch vehicle from the Wenchang Satellite Launch Centre in Hainan. Both projects are currently underway and will be ready by 2014~15.
The total mass of the structure (including the cargo ship) is estimated to be 70~80 tonnes. The space station will be operating in a 400~450km low Earth orbit, with an inclination of 42° ~ 43°. The station can support a crew of 3 astronauts to live in orbit for long duration and carry out scientific experiments and other missions. The service life of the space station is 10 years.
Structure
The 20t-mass core module provides the main living quarter for three crew members onboard the space station, and serves as the main flight control and management centre for the space station. It also provides the station’s power, propulsion, and life support systems. The module consists of three sections: the habitable living quarter, the inhabitable service section, and a docking hub with six docking ports, through which the Core Module is connected with other modules.
Core Module concept
The two experiment modules provide the main research and experiment facilities. The two modules are similar in size and mass, but have slightly different functions. One of the experiment modules will feature a backup flight control and management system, in case of malfunction in the core module.
Experiment Modules concept
An unmanned cargo resupply spacecraft will carry air, water, propellant, and dry cargo to the future space station. Based on the design of the Tiangong space lab, the cargo ship is 3.35m in diameter and has a total mass of less than 13,000kg, and can carry up to 6,000kg of payload. A single docking port allows the ship to be docked with the space station to deliver both ‘wet’ and dry cargo.
The cargo ship, which has yet been named, will be used to transport three types of cargo to the space station: air, water, and propellant which are required for the maintenance of the station itself; food and other materials for the astronauts onboard the station; and equipment for scientific researches and experiments. The ship may also be capable of assisting the space station for orbit maintenance using its own propulsion system.
Cargo Ship concept
Last updated: 20 January 2012