Tianzhou 1

Tianzhou 1

Tiangong 1 graphic

Tiangong 1
Mission type Tiangong-2 resupply
Operator CNSA
Spacecraft properties
Spacecraft Tianzhou-1
Spacecraft type Tianzhou
Launch mass Under 13,000 kg (29,000 lb)
Dimensions 9 m × 3.35 m (29.5 ft × 11.0 ft)
Start of mission
Launch date 2017
Rocket Long March 7
Launch site Wenchang LC-2
Docking with Tiangong-2
Docking port Fore

Tiangong program
 Shenzhou 11 Testing Core Module launch

Tianzhou 1 is the planned debut mission of the Tianzhou-class unmanned cargo spacecraft. It is being developed as part of the manned space program of China. Tianzhou means "heavenly vessel" in Chinese.[1] It is planned to dock with the Tiangong-2 space laboratory in the first half of 2017.[2]

Spacecraft

Main article: Tianzhou (spacecraft)

It will use the first flight model of the Tianzhou. It is a Chinese automated cargo spacecraft developed from the Tiangong-1 to resupply its future modular space station.

Mission

This mission will demonstrate the Tianzhou spacecraft and its capabilities. It will critically demonstrate propellant transfer for the Chinese space station, the last big hurdle for the long duration expeditions.[3]

References

  1. "China's space station to be established around 2022". news.xinhuanet.com. September 10, 2014. Retrieved September 11, 2014.
  2. Barbosa, Rui C. (25 June 2016). "China successfully debuts Long March 7 rocket". NASASpaceflight.com.
  3. Ping, Wu (June 2016). "China Manned Space Programme: Its Achievements and Future Developments" (PDF). China Manned Space Agency. Retrieved 2016-06-28.
This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 7/13/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.