Tag: Tiangong Space Station
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China Plans Expansion of Tiangong Space Station with New Module
China is preparing to expand its Tiangong space station by adding a new multifunctional module that will transform the orbital outpost from its current T-shaped configuration into a cross-shaped structure. The expansion represents the next phase of the station’s long-term development plan and is intended to increase scientific research capacity, support more frequent missions and…
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Shenzhou 23 launches new crew to Tiangong space station
The Chinese space station Tiangong, permanently occupied since June 5, 2022, is about to receive a new set of crew members. Shenzhou 23 launched atop a Chang Zheng 2F (CZ-2F) from Site 91 at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the Inner Mongolia province of northwest China. Launch took place on Sunday, May 24, at…
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China prepares cargo, crew, and deep space missions, as commercial sector steps towards reusability
China is preparing to launch both cargo and crew missions to its Tiangong space station, as a new cargo freighter is tested in low-Earth orbit and new designs are revealed to expand the orbiting outpost. Celebrating 70 years since the foundation of its space program this year, China is also advancing plans for deep space…
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China Completes First Emergency Operation in Human Spaceflight Program After Shenzhou 20 Return
China has concluded the first emergency operation in the history of its human spaceflight program after an uncrewed Shenzhou 20 return capsule landed safely in north China’s Inner Mongolia, authorities said on Monday. The capsule parachuted into the Dongfeng landing site on Jan. 19 after spending about 270 days in orbit, where it had remained…
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China launches crewed Shenzhou-21 mission
China has launched its tenth crew to the Tiangong space station. This was the 16th crewed spaceflight for China’s Shenzhou program overall, which has continually occupied the orbiting outpost since June 2021. The China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) announced the names of the three taikonauts the day before launch. Shenzhou-21 will be commanded by Zhang…
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Launch Roundup: China to launch crew to Tiangong, India to launch new naval satellite
Six missions comprise the worldwide launch manifest this week, including a crewed launch from China and a new naval satellite for the Indian Navy. SpaceX is set to kick off the week with three back-to-back Starlink missions from its pads in California and Florida. Later in the week, China will launch the crewed Shenzhou 21…
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China launches three taikonauts to Tiangong, commercial sector continues to expand
China has launched its ninth crewed mission to the Tiangong space station, coinciding with the 55th anniversary of the launch of Dongfanghong-1, the country’s first satellite. Meanwhile, China has achieved the world’s first network of satellites using a distant retrograde orbit (DRO) in Earth-Moon space, with its DRO-B satellite completing a final manoeuver this month.…
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China Roundup: Third successful EVA and deep-space ambitions as China’s space economy surges
The Shenzhou-19 crew recently conducted their third spacewalk this month as the China National Space Administration announced it is open to including international scientific payloads aboard a forthcoming Mars mission. Meanwhile, bold plans for planetary exploration have been revealed and a design has emerged for a new space telescope with a familiar design. The commercial…
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China Roundup: Chang’e 6 lands on the Moon, and record-breaking EVA
China’s Chang’e 6 landed on and sampled the far side of the Moon while the Shenzhou-18 crew performed a record-breaking spacewalk at the Tiangong Space Station. Additionally, 10 more rockets were launched from the country in the last few weeks. Chang’e 6 lands on the far side of the Moon China’s sixth uncrewed lunar exploration…
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Shenzhou-18 crew launches to Tiangong Space Station
China launched the crewed Shenzhou-18 mission on April 24 at 12:58:57 UTC. The launch was conducted as usual, with a Chang Zheng 2F rocket carrying the Shenzhou spacecraft on top. The mission transported three new crew members to the Tiangong Space Station. The new astronaut trio will replace the Shenzhou-17 crew, which launched to Tiangong…