Scientists introduce the design and application prospect of China’s Tiangong space station

China’s manned space mission was authorized in 1992 with a three-step strategic plan, and constructing a space station is the ultimate purpose of this plan.

In September 2010, China’s manned space station mission was formally established. On April 29, 2021, the Tianhe core module was efficiently launched into orbit by the service rocket Lengthy March-5B on the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Web site in Hainan.

As deliberate, by 11 launches and on-orbit missions, China has accomplished the meeting and began the official operation of the space station. With the completion and operation of the Tiangong space station, China will develop into the third nation capable of construct and function space stations independently after the Soviet Union and the US.

In a analysis paper printed in House: Science & Expertise, specialists from Institute of Spacecraft System Engineering, China Academy of House Expertise introduce the design of the Tiangong space station, summarize the technical traits of the Tiangong space station, and focus on the long run utility and improvement of the space station.

First, authors introduce the system scheme design of Tiangong space station. General, the Tiangong space station exhibits a T-shaped configuration, with the Tianhe core module within the center and two experiment modules, particularly Wentian and Mengtian, being assembled on the 2 sides respectively.

The Tianhe core module consists of three components: a node cabin, a life management cabin, and a useful resource cabin. It has a total axial size of 16.6 m and a most diameter of 4.2 m. The Wentian experiment module consists of three components: a working cabin, an airlock cabin, and a useful resource cabin. It has an axial size of 17.9 m and a most diameter of 4.2 m.

As well as, a small robotic arm, an experimental platform, and a truss construction are organized exterior the module. The Mengtian experiment module consists of 4 components: a working cabin, a cargo airlock cabin, a load cabin, and a useful resource cabin. It has an axial size of 17.9 m and a most diameter of 4.2 m.

Two deployable platforms for uncovered payloads are put in exterior the load cabin, unfolding in orbit after launch. Furthermore, the Tiangong space station has three docking hatches: ahead (primarily for docking with manned spaceship and the Xuntian space telescope), backward (primarily for docking with cargo spaceship), and radial ones (primarily for docking with manned spaceship).

As for the system operate design, the management and propulsion system consists of management second gyros, a response management system, a propellant refueling system, and the Corridor electrical propulsion system. The power system is provided with a big space of versatile solar arrays. The manned atmosphere system possesses full regenerative and non-regenerative life-support programs.

The robotic arms are the big seven-degree-of-freedom robotic arm and the small seven-degree-of-freedom robotic arm, with wealthy sensors of visible measurement, joint torque, and end-effector drive. The extravehicular actions are supported by each the node cabin of the Tianhe core module and the airlock cabin of the Wentian experiment module. The crew’s residence is supplied with an exercise space of at least 110 m³.

The authors then summarize technical traits of superior nature. Typically, the technical traits of the Tiangong space station are primarily mirrored in 4 points:

1. The superior design idea.

   China adopts a unified design framework and technical system for the Tiangong space station, beneath which the GNC, power, info, thermal management, and manned atmosphere programs of all of the three modules will probably be interconnected to work collectively. And, the space station integrates intermodule assets effectively, thus bettering its general capability and system reliability.

2. The excessive proportion of recent expertise.

   House robotic arms, physicochemically regenerative life help, and the large-area versatile solar arrays of this space station are all brand-new applied sciences utilized in orbit for the primary time in China with excessive utility problem and improvement threat. Moreover, the Tiangong space station embodies a excessive diploma of intelligence from each tools and system ranges.

3. The superb cost-effectiveness ratio.

   According to China’s nationwide situations and sensible wants by way of constructing prices and utility advantages, the Tiangong space station is designed to be reasonable scale, relative to the ISS and Mir. Furthermore, having extra economical and cheap building and operation, will probably be superior in some points, resembling the ability era effectivity, utility help functionality, constructing methods, replenishment demand.

4. The protected and environment friendly residence.

   The Tiangong space station is designed consistent with the human-oriented idea. The design not solely ensures the security and luxury of the crew in orbit but in addition focuses on supporting the efficient exertion by the crew’s intelligence.