Before that, an growth module with six docking ports might be launched to the area station within the coming years. This multi-functional module will dock on the ahead port of the core Tianhe module. This implies that full-size modules can then be added to Tiangong.

The Tiangong area station

The Chinese area station has three modules—the Tianhe core module (“heavenly river” crew module and the laboratory cabin modules Wentian (“quest for heavens”) and Mengtian (“dreaming of heaven”). It has been operational since late 2022, internet hosting as much as three astronauts at a time.

The first module of the area station was Tiange, and it was launched into orbit on April 29, 2021. This comprises dwelling quarters for 3 crew members and supplies many of the area station’s key functionalities, together with energy, propulsion, steerage, navigation and life help programs. The Tianhe module additionally has a “Chinarm” robotic arm.

The Wentian science module hosts added navigation, propulsion and orientation controls as a backup for a few of Tianhe’s features. It additionally acts as a pressurised setting the place researchers can conduct zero-gravity experiments. Some experiments can be carried out outdoors of this module, like those who measure the results of publicity to photo voltaic winds, cosmic rays and different area circumstances. Wentian additionally has a robotic arm known as “indexing arm.” It launched after which docked with Tianhe on July 24, 2022.

Mengtian is the third module of Tiangong, and it was primarily designed for science experiments. It carried many cutting-edge physics experiments when it launched, together with a facility that China claims can create the coldest matter within the universe. Mengtian launched into orbit and docked with the remainder of the area station on November 3, 2022.

The Mengtian module accomplished what was initially imagined to be the total configuration of the Tiangong area station. But now, it’s clear that China plans to increase on it additional.