Tianzhou-2, docks with its new space station module
- Posted By
10Pointer
- Categories
Science & Technology
- Published
4th Jun, 2021
-
Context
A Chinese cargo spacecraft that is named Tianzhou-2 has successfully docked with its space station Tiangong-3’s core module.
About Tianzhou-2
- Tianzhou-2 was launched on a Long March-7 Y3 rocket. It was docked with Tianhe core module.
- Cargo supplies: The cargo craft was carrying propellant, equipment, and food and supplies for a future crew.
- The supplies carried by the craft will be utilised by the first crew scheduled to fly to the station module next month.
- Tianzhou is a series of cargo spacecraft developed by China to dock with space stations.
- Tianzhou-1 flew thrice in 2017 with fuel for the Tiangong-2 space station prototype.
China’s space station
- The Tiangong (meaning ‘Heaven’s Palace’) programme was started in 1992.
- The current orbiting module is the core component of the Tiangong-3 space station, which is the third and final functional version of the station.
- It will weigh 66,000 kg and begin operations by 2022 at an orbit of about 350-450 km.
- The space station will be assembled and operated entirely by one nation, unlike the International Space Station (ISS).
- Its design contains multiple modules, including the Tianhe core module, with science labs.
- The dockable Shenzhou crew capsule or lifeboat and the Tianzhou robotic cargo ship will also be a part of the station on either ends of the core module.
- Three astronauts will travel in the Shenzhou-12 spacecraft.
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