Scientists from the Institute of Spacecraft System Engineering, China Academy of Space Technology, have published a research paper in the journal Space: Science & Technology that introduces the design of the Tiangong space station and discusses its future application and development.
The Tiangong space station is a T-shaped space station that consists of three modules: the Tianhe core module, the Wentian experiment module, and the Mengtian experiment module. The Tianhe core module is the central hub of the space station and houses the main control systems. The Wentian experiment module will be used for scientific experiments, while the Mengtian experiment module will be used for crew living quarters and logistics.
The Tiangong space station is designed to be a long-term human presence in space. It will be able to support up to six astronauts for long-duration missions. The space station will also be used for a variety of scientific experiments, including research on space medicine, materials science, and astronomy.
The authors of the research paper highlight the advanced design concept of the Tiangong space station. The space station is designed to be modular, which means that it can be expanded as needed. The space station also integrates intermodule resources efficiently, which improves its overall capacity and system reliability.
The authors also note that the Tiangong space station uses a high proportion of new technologies. These technologies include space robotic arms, physicochemically regenerative life support, and large-area flexible solar arrays. These technologies are all cutting-edge and will help to make the Tiangong space station a more advanced and capable facility.
The Tiangong space station is a major milestone in China's space program. It is the first space station built by China and will be a valuable asset for scientific research and human spaceflight. The space station is expected to be operational for at least 10 years.
In addition to the scientific experiments that will be conducted on the Tiangong space station, the authors of the research paper also discuss the potential for the space station to be used for commercial purposes. They suggest that the space station could be used to support space tourism, asteroid mining, and other commercial activities.
The Tiangong space station is a significant achievement for China's space program. It is a symbol of China's growing technological prowess and its commitment to space exploration. The space station will play an important role in China's future space endeavors and will help to make China a major player in the global space industry.
Journal Information: Xiang Wang et al, Design and Application Prospect of China's Tiangong Space Station, Space: Science & Technology (2023). DOI: 10.34133/space.0035