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Tianhe core module

The Tianhe core module is the foundational component of China's Tiangong space station, launched into low-Earth orbit on April 29, 2021, aboard a Long March 5B rocket from the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site; it serves as the primary habitat, command center, and control hub for the station's operations, accommodating up to three astronauts for extended missions while enabling docking with crewed and cargo spacecraft.^[1]^[2] Measuring 16.6 meters in length and 4.2 meters in maximum diameter, with a launch mass of 22.5 metric tons, Tianhe features a pressurized volume of 113 cubic meters and a habitable volume of approximately 50 cubic meters, constructed primarily from 5A06 aluminum alloy to withstand the rigors of space.^[3]^[2] Its structure consists of three main sections: a node cabin for docking and extravehicular activities, a life control cabin serving as the primary habitat and control center with life support systems, and a resource cabin housing propulsion and power systems—equipped with advanced subsystems including regenerative environmental control (such as urine-to-water recycling), four xenon Hall-effect thrusters for orbit maintenance, and deployable solar panels spanning 60 meters with over 30% efficiency to generate power via a 100-volt bus.^[4]^[2]^[5] Tianhe's role extends to scientific experimentation, supporting space medicine, materials science, and technology demonstrations in microgravity, while its docking infrastructure includes two axial ports (forward and aft) for Shenzhou crew vehicles and Tianzhou cargo ships, plus radial berths for additional lab modules like Wentian and Mengtian, which were later attached to form the complete T-shaped station configuration operational since 2022.^[1]^[3] As China's largest and most sophisticated spacecraft to date, it marks a milestone in the nation's independent space station program, facilitating long-term human presence in orbit and international collaboration opportunities.^[4]^[2]

Development and design

Development history

The Tianhe core module originated as the foundational component of Phase III in China's Manned Space Program (Project 921), which aims to establish a permanent space station following earlier phases focused on crewed flights and short-duration orbital laboratories.^[6] The overall program was approved in 1992 with a three-step strategy, the third step dedicated to building and operating a modular space station around 2022.^[7] The space station project itself was officially established in September 2010, marking the formal commitment to Phase III development.^[5] In April 2011, the China Manned Space Engineering Office publicly announced detailed plans for a approximately 60-tonne T-shaped space station comprising three main modules, with Tianhe serving as the central hub for crew habitation, control, and docking.^[8] Development of Tianhe was led by the China Academy of Space Technology (CAST) under the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), emphasizing fully indigenous design and manufacturing to circumvent U.S. restrictions on international collaboration imposed by the Wolf Amendment since 2011.^[9] Construction and assembly progressed through the 2010s, with the module's primary structure and integration completed by early 2017, allowing for subsequent system installations.^[10] Key milestones included the final assembly and systems integration by late 2020, ahead of transport to the Wenchang launch site.^[11] Ground testing encompassed rigorous simulations for environmental stresses, including thermal-vacuum conditions to replicate space extremes, vibration tests to simulate launch dynamics, and electromagnetic compatibility assessments to ensure operational reliability.^[7] These phases validated Tianhe's capability for long-term autonomous flight and crew support, positioning it as the backbone for the Tiangong space station's in-orbit assembly beginning in 2021.^[5]

Design specifications

The Tianhe core module features a modular design inspired by the Soviet-era Salyut and Mir space stations, but adapted for automated robotic assembly in orbit to facilitate the construction of the larger Tiangong station. This architecture allows for sequential docking of additional modules, such as the Wentian and Mengtian laboratories, to form a T-shaped configuration, with Tianhe serving as the central hub for command and control. The module has a designed operational lifespan of 10 years, extendable to 15 years through maintenance and upgrades, ensuring long-term sustainability in low Earth orbit.^[12]^[5]^[13] Key engineering parameters include a total pressurized volume of 113 m³, of which about 50 m³ is habitable, enabling support for up to three crew members during missions lasting up to six months. This volume accommodates living quarters, workstations, and storage while maintaining a compact launch configuration compatible with the Long March 5B rocket. The structural frame is constructed from 5A06 aluminium alloy, selected for its high fatigue strength and good machinability in the hardened state, to withstand launch and orbital stresses. Thermal protection is provided by multi-layer insulation blankets, which minimize heat transfer in the vacuum of space by reflecting radiant energy.^[2]^[5]^[14]^[15] The design emphasizes redundancy and interoperability to enhance reliability and international compatibility. For instance, dual deployable solar arrays provide backup power generation, each capable of producing up to 10 kW, with a total span of 60 meters and efficiency exceeding 30%, ensuring continuous operation even if one fails. Docking ports adhere to the Androgynous Peripheral Attach System (APAS-89) standard, allowing seamless interfaces with Chinese Shenzhou crew vehicles, Tianzhou cargo craft, and potentially international spacecraft, thereby supporting collaborative missions. This rationale prioritizes fault-tolerant systems and modularity to mitigate risks in a crewed orbital environment.^[5]^[16]^[2]

Physical structure

Overall configuration

The Tianhe core module features a cylindrical configuration with an overall length of 16.6 meters and a maximum diameter of 4.2 meters, resulting in a takeoff mass of 22.5 metric tons (22,500 kg).^[17] This design allows for efficient integration into the Tiangong space station's T-shaped structure, serving as the central hub for control and habitation.^[5] Internally, the module is divided into three primary compartments: the forward docking node, which functions as the primary control room for station operations; the central cylindrical section housing crew quarters, including sleeping pods, a galley for meal preparation, and hygiene facilities; and the aft propulsion and service module dedicated to resource management and support systems.^[5] The pressurized volume totals approximately 110 cubic meters, with a habitable volume of 50 cubic meters, distributed across these sections to support extended human presence in orbit.^[18]^[2] The crew accommodations emphasize functionality and comfort, accommodating up to six sleep stations arranged in individual pods within the central compartment to facilitate crew rotations and rest cycles.^[18] Adjacent areas include exercise equipment, such as a treadmill and stationary bicycle, to mitigate the effects of microgravity on astronaut health, along with dedicated storage for supplies, personal items, and scientific payloads. These features ensure self-sufficiency for missions lasting several months, with the layout promoting efficient workflow between living, working, and maintenance zones.^[5] Externally, two deployable solar wings extend from the module to generate power, each measuring 11.9 meters by 7.5 meters and collectively providing an initial output of 14 kW to support core systems and initial station operations.^[19] These wings, constructed with flexible photovoltaic panels, unfold post-launch to optimize energy capture while minimizing mass and stowage volume during ascent.^[2]

Docking and interface systems

The Tianhe core module serves as the central hub for the Tiangong space station, featuring three docking ports compatible with the APAS-89 system for automated docking with Shenzhou crewed spacecraft and Tianzhou cargo vehicles, and two berthing ports employing a mechanism analogous to the Common Berthing Mechanism (CBM) for the attachment of large experiment modules such as Wentian and Mengtian.^[3]^[20] The docking ports are positioned with one forward axial and two radial on the forward hub, plus one aft axial, while the berthing ports are the two remaining radial locations on the forward hub, enabling flexible expansion and resupply operations.^[5] The docking process for compatible vehicles begins with automated rendezvous, where ground-based GPS provides initial relative positioning, transitioning to microwave radar for mid-range guidance and laser radar for precise close-proximity alignment within 200 meters.^[21] This is followed by a soft capture phase using a probe-and-drogue mechanism to establish initial contact and dampen relative motion, culminating in hard mate where structural latches and seals secure the connection, ensuring airtight integrity and load transfer.^[5] Berthing for experiment modules typically involves initial autonomous docking to the forward port, followed by robotic arm relocation to a radial berthing port for permanent attachment.^[2] Interface systems at the ports include standardized electrical power distribution (up to several kilowatts), high-bandwidth data links for command and telemetry exchange, and fluid umbilical connections for propellant refueling and thermal control, supporting transfers of up to 3 tons of pressurized cargo per mission via automated or crew-assisted methods.^[5] These interfaces adhere to international standards for interoperability, facilitating potential integration with foreign modules and contributing to China's commitments for collaborative space utilization.^[3] The forward docking node, integrated within the core module's pressurized structure, incorporates large observation windows offering extensive visibility for real-time monitoring of docking maneuvers and external activities, enhancing crew situational awareness during operations.^[3]

Systems and functions

Life support and environmental control

The Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) of the Tianhe core module sustains human life by managing air revitalization, water recovery, waste processing, and environmental conditioning for crews of up to three astronauts during extended missions. This second-generation physicochemical system regenerates essential resources, achieving near-complete closure for oxygen and high efficiency for water to minimize resupply needs from Earth. It comprises six primary subsystems: oxygen production via electrolysis, carbon dioxide removal, harmful gas purification, urine treatment, condensate water collection, and overall water management, operating in a stable configuration to support missions exceeding 100 days. Ongoing on-orbit experiments as of 2024 include third-generation ecological enhancements for improved resource closure, building on the current system.^[22]^[23]^[24] Water recovery in Tianhe's ECLSS focuses on closed-loop recycling from metabolic sources, reclaiming approximately 90% of the 11-12 kg daily requirement per three-person crew through urine processing and humidity condensate collection. Urine, averaging 2 kg per astronaut per day, undergoes distillation and purification to produce potable water, while exhaled moisture and sweat—about 1.8 kg per astronaut daily—are condensed, dried, and treated using silver ion sterilization (maintaining levels below 0.5 mg/L) for reuse in drinking, hygiene, and electrolysis. Additional water is generated via fuel cell byproducts from docked spacecraft, cooled to 18-24°C, reducing annual ground-supplied materials from 7.5 tonnes to 1.1 tonnes for year-long operations.^[23]^[25]^[26] Oxygen generation relies on water electrolysis, enabling 100% regeneration of the approximately 2.5 kg daily needed for a three-person crew by splitting recovered water into breathable oxygen and hydrogen, with the latter stored for potential fuel use. The system integrates with carbon dioxide scrubbing to maintain atmospheric composition, using regenerable absorbers for CO2 removal and emergency purifiers for rapid response, supplemented by trace harmful gas filtration to ensure air quality. Temperature and humidity are regulated within comfortable ranges (typically 18-26°C and 40-60% relative humidity) via ventilation and heat exchange, supporting crew health without detailed public quantitative benchmarks beyond overall ECLSS performance.^[22]^[23] Crew facilities within Tianhe include an integrated toilet for waste collection tied to the ECLSS urine processor, combined hygiene units for limited showering using recycled water, and dedicated storage for dehydrated food supplies sufficient for 180-day missions, with recent additions like microgravity ovens for reheating meals such as meats and vegetables. Radiation shielding, provided by the module's pressurized structure and materials, limits annual exposure to low-Earth orbit levels estimated at 50-100 mSv, with specific Tianhe doses monitored to stay below occupational limits (~50 mSv/year averaged); exact public figures remain limited.^[25]^[27] Redundancy features enhance reliability, including backup oxygen cylinders for electrolysis failures, emergency CO2 purifiers, and manual valves for subsystem isolation during anomalies, allowing crews to maintain habitability until resupply or repair. These elements, powered by the station's solar arrays (requiring about 5-10 kW for full ECLSS operation), enable independent function for periods up to several days in contingency scenarios.^[23]^[22]

Power, propulsion, and robotics

The Tianhe core module's power system relies on two steerable solar arrays, each consisting of three panels with a total span of approximately 60 meters and an efficiency exceeding 30 percent, enabling one-axis tracking for optimal sunlight exposure.^[2] These arrays provide an electrical output approaching 10 kilowatts under operational conditions, sufficient to support the module's core functions and contribute to the overall station's power needs of up to 27 kilowatts.^[28]^[5] Energy is stored during orbital day using six sets of advanced lithium-ion batteries to sustain operations through eclipse periods, with distribution managed via a 100-volt DC bus.^[29]^[2] Propulsion capabilities are divided between electric and chemical systems to ensure orbit maintenance and attitude control. The primary electric propulsion consists of four Hall-effect ion thrusters mounted externally, each delivering 80 millinewtons of thrust using xenon as the propellant, which enables efficient long-term station-keeping with lower mass consumption compared to traditional chemical systems.^[5]^[2] Complementary chemical thrusters, utilizing hydrazine, handle higher-thrust maneuvers and fine attitude adjustments, including support for docking interfaces.^[5] Xenon propellant is stored in two gas modules and can be replenished through resupply missions via Tianzhou cargo spacecraft, extending operational life without fixed capacity limitations.^[5] The module features a large 7-degree-of-freedom robotic arm, developed by the Chinese Academy of Space Technology, with a 10-meter operating radius and a maximum payload capacity of 25 tons.^[5]^[2] This arm facilitates extravehicular activities such as capturing incoming modules or cargo vehicles, handling debris, and performing maintenance tasks on the station's exterior, and it can coordinate with a smaller arm on the Wentian module for enhanced reach and precision.^[5]^[2]

Launch and deployment

Launch mission

The Tianhe core module was launched into orbit on 29 April 2021 at 03:23 UTC from Launch Complex 101 at the Wenchang Satellite Launch Center in Hainan Province, China, aboard the Long March 5B Y2 rocket, marking the inaugural mission in the assembly of the Tiangong space station.^[30]^[31] The 22.5 metric ton module, measuring 16.6 meters in length and 4.2 meters in diameter, was encapsulated within a 20.5-meter-long, 5.2-meter-diameter payload fairing atop the 53.7-meter-tall heavy-lift vehicle to protect it during ascent through the atmosphere.^[32]^[33] The launch vehicle followed a direct insertion trajectory, with the core stage igniting after booster separation to place Tianhe into an initial low Earth orbit characterized by a perigee of approximately 351 km, an apogee of 385 km, and an orbital inclination of 41.5 degrees relative to the equator.^[34]^[35] Core stage separation from the core module occurred 490 seconds after liftoff, allowing Tianhe to achieve its target orbit successfully.^[30] Approximately one hour after separation, the module's two large solar array wings deployed nominally, enabling power generation for initial systems checkout.^[36] The fairing size accommodated the module's cylindrical structure and attached docking hub without requiring significant design modifications beyond standard integration protocols.^[32] A notable post-launch event involved the Long March 5B's core stage, which entered an uncontrolled elliptical orbit and re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 9 May 2021, with surviving debris impacting the Indian Ocean approximately 2,500 km west of the Maldives archipelago.^[37]^[38] This incident highlighted ongoing concerns about space debris from large rocket stages, though the module itself proceeded unimpeded to its operational phase.^[39]

Activation and commissioning

Following separation from its launch vehicle on April 29, 2021, the Tianhe core module entered its initial low Earth orbit with a perigee of approximately 351 km and an apogee of 385 km, with initial telemetry signals confirming nominal orbit parameters such as inclination and velocity.^[18] Ground controllers at the Beijing Aerospace Control Center established stable communication links, enabling real-time monitoring and command transmission to the module.^[40] The module's solar arrays were successfully deployed within about one hour of launch, unfolding to generate power for onboard systems and fully operational by the end of April 29.^[36] Over the subsequent days, full systems activation proceeded, including propulsion checkout to verify orbit maintenance capabilities.^[41] Commissioning tests encompassed attitude control verification, demonstrating precise orientation stability better than 0.6 degrees through on-orbit simulations and adjustments.^[5] Environmental control and life support system (ECLSS) functionality was tested as part of astronaut stay preparations, confirming air revitalization, water recovery, and thermal regulation for long-duration habitation.^[42] The robotic arm, integral to module manipulation, was powered on around early May and underwent performance checks to ensure joint mobility and end-effector operations.^[43] Docking ports were briefly verified during these preparations to support impending cargo and crew arrivals.^[42] By May 17, 2021, all platform function tests were completed successfully, with the module in excellent condition and transitioned to rendezvous orbit for the incoming Tianzhou-2 cargo spacecraft.^[44] These early operations validated Tianhe's role as the station's command hub without major anomalies.^[30]

Operational history

Docking events

The docking operations for the Tianhe core module commenced with the automated rendezvous and docking of the Tianzhou 2 cargo spacecraft to its forward axial port on 29 May 2021, approximately six and a half hours after launch from the Wenchang Satellite Launch Center.^[45] This marked the first arrival at the nascent Chinese space station, delivering over 6 tonnes of supplies, propellant, and equipment essential for subsequent crewed missions. The Tianzhou 2 remained attached for about five months before undocking and controlled reentry on 16 September 2021.^[46] The inaugural crewed docking followed on 17 June 2021, when the Shenzhou 12 spacecraft successfully linked to the aft axial port of Tianhe roughly six and a half hours post-launch, enabling the three-person crew to enter the module and begin a three-month residency. Subsequent dockings adhered to a rotational pattern of crewed Shenzhou missions every six months, interspersed with Tianzhou cargo resupplies approximately every four to six months, ensuring continuous habitation and logistics support.^[47] By November 2025, Tianhe had accommodated a total of 10 Shenzhou crewed missions—from Shenzhou 12 through Shenzhou 21, the latter docking on 31 October 2025 in a record 3.5 hours after liftoff to the forward axial port—however, the Shenzhou 21 reentry module was subsequently used by the outgoing Shenzhou 20 crew for their return on 14 November 2025 following damage to their own spacecraft from suspected space debris.^[48]^[49]^[50] and 8 Tianzhou cargo missions, from Tianzhou 2 to Tianzhou 9, which docked on 15 July 2025.^[51] In addition to primary spacecraft arrivals at the axial ports (forward and aft), the radial ports on Tianhe facilitated the attachment of the Wentian laboratory module on 25 July 2022 and the Mengtian module on 2 November 2022, expanding the station's configuration. These side dockings required subsequent relocations of attached vehicles, such as shifting Tianzhou 4 from the forward port to the aft to accommodate Wentian, demonstrating efficient port management. All dockings to Tianhe have been fully automated using the spacecraft's rendezvous and docking systems, with a 100% success rate across more than 20 events, supported by ground-based laser ranging and onboard sensors for precise alignment.^[52] The docking interfaces on Tianhe employ the Chinese Docking Mechanism (CDM), designed for compatibility with international standards like Russia's APAS system to enable potential future collaborations.^[53]

Crew missions and activities

The Tianhe core module serves as the central habitat for taikonaut crews during their rotations on the Tiangong space station, facilitating a continuous human presence since June 2021. Ten expeditions, from Shenzhou 12 to Shenzhou 21, have docked with Tianhe by November 2025, each carrying three astronauts for planned stays lasting three to six months to conduct research, maintenance, and handover procedures, though the Shenzhou 21 mission has been extended indefinitely. These rotations, launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center aboard Long March 2F rockets, ensure overlapping crews for seamless transitions and enhanced operational efficiency.^[4] Representative missions highlight the progression of crew activities. The inaugural Shenzhou 12 crew—Nie Haisheng, Liu Boming, and Wang Yaping—spent 92 days verifying Tianhe's systems, performing initial microgravity experiments, and testing robotic arms for future assembly tasks during the station's early phase. Later expeditions, such as Shenzhou 16 in 2023, introduced the first civilian taikonaut, Gui Haichao, alongside veterans Jing Haipeng and Zhu Yangzhu, who conducted 154 days of advanced payload operations and payload verifications over a six-month period.^[54] The Shenzhou 20 mission, launched on 24 April 2025 with crew Chen Dong, Chen Zhongrui, and Wang Jie, was planned for six months but faced complications when space debris likely caused a crack in the return capsule's window, rendering it unsafe for reentry. After handover with the incoming Shenzhou 21 crew on 4 November 2025, the Shenzhou 20 team returned early using the Shenzhou 21 reentry module, landing safely in Inner Mongolia on 14 November 2025 after 204 days in orbit.^[50] The Shenzhou 21 mission, launched on 31 October 2025, features commander Zhang Lu, Wu Fei, and the youngest-ever taikonaut Zhang Hongzhang (born 1993). Originally planned for approximately six months, the crew's stay was extended following the loss of their reentry module to the Shenzhou 20 return; as of 16 November 2025, they continue operations on station, awaiting a relief mission, while crews overall had accumulated over 1,500 days of total habitation time aboard Tianhe, enabling sustained scientific output.^[55]^[50] Crew activities emphasize microgravity research, station upkeep, and technological innovation. Taikonauts routinely execute experiments like protein crystallization in Tianhe's dedicated cabinets to grow higher-quality crystals for drug development, yielding insights into biomolecular structures unattainable on Earth. Maintenance tasks involve monitoring environmental controls, repairing equipment, and preparing for module expansions, all reliant on Tianhe's life support systems for oxygen generation and waste management. Technology demonstrations include 3D printing of metallic and ceramic components to assess in-orbit manufacturing for long-term sustainability. These efforts, supported by pre-mission training in long-duration isolation simulations at the Astronaut Center of China, underscore Tianhe's role in advancing human spaceflight capabilities.^[56]^[57]

Maneuvers and status

Collision avoidance maneuvers

The Tianhe core module, operating in low Earth orbit at an altitude of approximately 390 km, relies on collision avoidance maneuvers to mitigate risks from close approaches with space debris and operational satellites, ensuring the safety of the Tiangong space station. These maneuvers are executed using the module's Hall-effect ion thrusters, which provide efficient, low-thrust adjustments for orbital changes.^[58]^[5] The inaugural collision avoidance maneuver occurred on 1 July 2021, when Tianhe conducted an evasive action in the evening to avoid a close encounter with the SpaceX Starlink-1095 satellite, which was orbiting at about 382 km altitude.^[59] This preventive measure was necessitated by the high collision probability posed by the satellite's trajectory relative to the station's orbit at 41.5° inclination.^[59] A second maneuver followed on 21 October 2021, targeting another Starlink satellite, Starlink-2305, whose continuous maneuvering and unpredictable orbital strategy complicated risk assessment and heightened the conjunction threat.^[59] Both events underscored the challenges of coordinating with large satellite constellations in crowded orbital regimes, prompting China to notify the United Nations of the incidents.^[59] Subsequent collision avoidance operations have been conducted to evade debris originating from defunct satellites, reflecting the ongoing need for vigilant orbital management amid increasing space traffic.^[60] These actions are ground-commanded by the China National Space Administration (CNSA), with planning initiated approximately 24 hours in advance based on space situational awareness (SSA) data analyzed for potential conjunctions.^[60] The frequency of such maneuvers averages 2-3 per year, accounting for a small portion of Tianhe's propellant reserves, thereby preserving resources for long-term station operations.^[60]

Current status and future role

As of November 2025, the Tianhe core module remains fully operational as the central hub of China's Tiangong space station, which achieved full assembly in late 2022 with the integration of the Wentian and Mengtian laboratory modules.^[61] Launched on April 29, 2021, Tianhe has accumulated approximately 4.5 years in low Earth orbit, supporting continuous human presence and scientific operations.^[2] The module currently hosts the three taikonauts from the Shenzhou-21 mission. The preceding Shenzhou-20 crew returned to Earth on November 14, 2025, aboard the Shenzhou-21 reentry module after a delay caused by a suspected space debris impact on their return spacecraft around November 5, 2025; this incident prompted accelerated preparations for the Shenzhou-22 mission to ensure crew rotation continuity.^[61]^[62]^[63] Recent upgrades have focused on enhancing the station's resilience to orbital hazards. In 2025, taikonauts from the Shenzhou-20 mission conducted multiple extravehicular activities (EVAs), including a 6.5-hour spacewalk on August 15 and another on September 26, to install additional debris shielding on Tiangong's exterior, bolstering protection against micrometeoroids and orbital debris.^[64]^[65] These efforts build on earlier shielding installations and reflect ongoing adaptations to mitigate space environment risks.^[66] China is also developing robotic systems, including those with grappling capabilities, for active debris removal and station maintenance, though specific 2025 tests on arm extensions remain part of broader research initiatives.^[67]^[68] Looking ahead, Tianhe will maintain its role as the primary command and control center for Tiangong, coordinating docking, power distribution, and life support across the station.^[5] Post-integration of Wentian and Mengtian, it supports advanced experiments and is positioned to facilitate operations with co-orbiting assets, such as the Xuntian space telescope planned for launch no earlier than late 2026, enabling coordinated astronomical observations.^[69]^[70] The station is designed for at least a decade of service, with plans for potential expansion through upgraded modules and deorbit maneuvers targeted for the 2030s to ensure controlled reentry.^[71] Key challenges include vigilant propellant monitoring to sustain orbital adjustments and long-term stability, as well as heightened risks from space debris, underscored by the recent Shenzhou-20 incident.^[61] International cooperation prospects are expanding, with agreements for foreign astronaut participation—such as Pakistan's planned mission—and joint experiments involving nations like France and Italy, fostering global scientific contributions to Tiangong.^[72]^[73]

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Apr 30, 2021 · About 494 seconds later, Tianhe separated from the rocket and entered the planned orbit. At 12:36 p.m., its solar panels unfolded and started to ...Missing: timeline | Show results with:timeline
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How efficient is Tianhe core module's propulsion system? - CGTN
Jun 21, 2021 · Tianhe, the core module of China's space station Tiangong, is equipped with an advanced propulsion system that has never been used on a manned spacecraft.Missing: checkout | Show results with:checkout<|control11|><|separator|>
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China's space station core module completes in-orbit tests - CGTN
May 18, 2021 · The core module, which was sent into orbit on April 29, has recently completed platform function tests for rendezvous and docking, astronaut ...
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China's space station core module Tianhe completes in-orbit tests
May 17, 2021 · China's space station core module Tianhe, which was sent into orbit on April 29, has recently completed platform function tests on rendezvous ...Missing: ECLSS | Show results with:ECLSS
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May 29, 2021 · The uncrewed Tianzhou-2 spacecraft completed automated rendezvous and docking maneuvers with Tianhe at 5:01 p.m. Eastern May 29. Tianzhou-2 is ...Missing: date | Show results with:date
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China rolls out cargo mission rocket as Shenzhou-12 astronauts ...
Sep 16, 2021 · The crew entered the Shenzhou-12 spacecraft Wednesday and separated from Tianhe at 8:56 p.m. Eastern. The spacecraft then circumnavigated Tianhe ...
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Shenzhou-19 spacecraft arrives at Tiangong for crew rotation
Oct 30, 2024 · A Tianzhou cargo spacecraft is expected to launch to Tiangong in November from Wenchang. It will carry supplies, fuel and experiments. China ...
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Shenzhou-21 completes rapid docking with Tiangong space station ...
Oct 31, 2025 · Shenzhou-21 completes rapid docking with Tiangong space station 3.5 hours after launch China's latest crewed mission arrived at the Tiangong ...Missing: cupola | Show results with:cupola<|control11|><|separator|>
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China's cargo craft Tianzhou-9 docks with space station Tiangong
Jul 15, 2025 · This simulated image captured at the Beijing Aerospace Control Center on July 15, 2025 shows China's cargo craft Tianzhou-9 as it completes ...
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Tianzhou-7 reaches Tiangong in China's first space station mission ...
Jan 18, 2024 · China plans to launch three further missions to Tiangong in 2024. These will be the Shenzhou 18 and 19 crewed missions and the Tianzhou-8 ...
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Tianzhou-2 cargo spacecraft docks with China's space station module
May 29, 2021 · The Tianzhou-2, or "Heavenly Vessel" in Chinese, autonomously rendezvoused and docked with Tianhe at 5:01 a.m. Beijing time, Xinhua said on ...
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China launches crewed Shenzhou-21 mission
Oct 31, 2025 · The crew will conduct 27 new experiments during their rotation, including China's first study of rodent mammals in orbit. Four mice will ...Missing: details | Show results with:details
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Shenzhou-16 astronauts arrive at China's space station - SpaceNews
A crew of three astronauts including the first Chinese civilian astronaut has arrived at the Tiangong space station.
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China launches Shenzhou 21 mission, carrying 3 taikonauts
Oct 31, 2025 · The Shenzhou-21 crew, with Lu as their commander are scheduled to live aboard the space station for approximately six months, just like the crew ...
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China's Space Station Is Preparing to Host 1,000 Science Experiments
Jul 28, 2021 · The spaceborne studies will cover diverse topics, from dark matter and gravitational waves to the growth of cancer and pathogenic bacteria.
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Scientists introduce the design and application prospect of China's ...
Aug 21, 2023 · In September 2010, China's manned space station project was officially established. On April 29, 2021, the Tianhe core module was successfully ...
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How China's space station could help power astronauts to Mars
Jun 2, 2021 · The space station's core Tianhe module is powered by four ion drives – also known as Hall effect thrusters – a form of electronic propulsion ...
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[PDF] General Assembly - UNOOSA
Dec 6, 2021 · A close encounter occurred between the Starlink-1095 satellite and the China Space Station on 1 July 2021. For safety reasons, the China. Space ...
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China's Space Program: A 2021 Perspective
Jan 28, 2022 · Conduct in-orbit maintenance of spacecraft, collision avoidance and control, and space debris mitigation, to ensure the safe, stable and orderly ...Missing: procedure | Show results with:procedure
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Chinese astronauts beef up Tiangong space station's debris shield ...
Aug 18, 2025 · Chinese astronauts added more debris shielding to the Tiangong space station during a 6.5-hour spacewalk on Friday (Aug. 15), according to state ...
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China conducts spacewalk to install debris shielding and ... - YouTube
Sep 26, 2025 · China's Shenzhou-20 completed their mission's fourth spacewalk outside the Tiangong space station on Sept. 25, 2025 (Sept. 26 - BJT).
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Chinese astronauts install space-junk shielding on Tiangong space ...
Jul 5, 2024 · Two Chinese astronauts continued installing space debris protection outside the nation's Tiangong space station during a July 3 EVA.
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China is developing ways to de-orbit space junk: Should we be ...
Oct 7, 2025 · A CNSA official confirmed work on space debris removal, a move seen as key for orbital sustainability but fraught with potential military ...
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China's Tiangong Space Station Defence System Will Ward Off ...
Jun 11, 2025 · China has officially started to develop a new defence system for its Tiangong space station to help prevent small objects in space from colliding.
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China wants to make its Tiangong space station bigger and better
Oct 28, 2024 · The first would be to update the Chinese space station's Tianhe core module to be able to accept further modules. Related: China's space ...Missing: software autonomy
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China is Planning to Double the Size of its Space Station
Oct 11, 2023 · This means that China intends to keep Tiangong operational until 2037 or later, several years after the ISS is decommissioned and deorbited. As ...
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Tiangong space station - Wikipedia
It is China's first long-term space station, part of the Tiangong program and the core of the "Third Step" of the China Manned Space Program; it has a ...
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Chinese Space Station Activities in 2025 and Its Historical Growth
Jul 10, 2025 · A significant development in early 2025 was the signing of an agreement between China and Pakistan to send a Pakistani astronaut to Tiangong.Missing: management challenges
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International Cooperation Efforts and Agreements Move Forward
Sep 7, 2025 · To start September, China's space sector has seen a flurry of international activity for business and lunar exploration.