Tiangong 1

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Tiangong-1
天宫一号
Drawing of Tiangong-1 (left) docked to Shenzhou (right)
Station statistics
COSPAR ID 2011-053A
Crew 3 (expected)
Launch 29 September 2011[1][2] at 21:16:03.507 CST
Launch pad Jiuquan LA-4/SLS-1
Mass 8,506 kg (18,750 lb)[3]
Length 10.4 m (34.1 ft)
Diameter 3.35 m (11.0 ft)
Pressurised volume 15 m3 (530 cu ft)[4]
Perigee 355 kilometres (221 mi)[5]
Apogee 362 kilometres (225 mi)[5]
Orbital inclination 42 degrees[6]
Days in orbit 126
(as of 2 February)
Tiangong1
Traditional Chinese 天宮一號
Simplified Chinese 天宫一号
Literal meaning Heavenly Palace-1 or Sky Palace-1

Tiangong-1 (Chinese: 天宫一号; pinyin: Tiāngōng yīhào; literally "Heavenly Palace 1") is a Chinese space laboratory module,[7] and is an experimental testbed to demonstrate the rendezvous and docking capabilities needed to support a space station complex.[8] Launched unmanned aboard a Long March 2F/G rocket[1] on 29 September 2011,[9] it is part of the Tiangong program, which aims to place a larger, modular station into orbit by 2020.[8] Tiangong-1 will be deorbited in 2013,[10] and replaced over the following decade by the larger Tiangong-2 and Tiangong-3 modules.

Tiangong-1 is expected to be visited by three Shenzhou missions during its two-year operational lifetime. The first of these, the unmanned Shenzhou 8, successfully docked with the module in November 2011,[11][12] while the manned Shenzhou 9 and 10 missions are expected to launch in 2012.

Contents

[edit] Design and development

According to the China National Space Administration (CNSA), Tiangong-1 is an 8.5-metric-ton (19,000 lb) "space-laboratory module", capable of supporting the docking of manned and autonomous spacecraft. In 2008, the official website of the CMSEO posted a brief description of Tiangong-1, along with its larger successor modules, Tiangong-2 and Tiangong-3. A model of the space station was revealed in the Chinese Lunar New Year celebration program on CCTV on 25 January 2009.[13]

On 29 September 2008, Zhang Jianqi (张建启), Vice Director of the China Manned Space Engineering Office (CMSEO), declared in an interview with China Central Television (CCTV)[14] that Tiangong-1 would be launched in 2010 or 2011. Xinhua later stated that Tiangong-1 would be launched in late 2010, and declared that the renovation of ground equipment was in progress.[15] However, the launch did not ultimately take place until 2011.

By mid-2011, the construction of Tiangong-1 was complete, and testing its electronic, mechanical and thermal properties was underway. Testing was also conducted on the Long March 2F carrier rocket on which Tiangong-1 would be launched; technicians undertook particularly extensive safety tests on the rocket in August and September 2011,[9] following the launch failure of a Long March 2C rocket on 18 August.

[edit] Structure

Tiangong-1 has a pressurised habitable volume of approximately 15 cubic metres (530 cu ft), and uses passive APAS-type docking connectors.[16] Structurally, Tiangong-1 is divided into two primary sections: a resource module, which mounts its solar panels and propulsion systems, and a larger, habitable experimental module.[17]

[edit] Onboard facilities

Tiangong-1's experimental module is equipped with exercise gear and two sleep stations.[4] The interior walls of the spacecraft have a two-color paint scheme – one color representative of the ground, and the other representative of the sky. This is intended to help the astronauts maintain their orientation in zero gravity.[4] High-resolution interior cameras will allow manned missions to be closely overseen from the ground, and the two sleep stations have individual lighting controls.[18] Toilet facilities and cooking equipment for the manned missions will likely be provided by the docked Shenzhou spacecraft, rather than being integrated into the Tiangong module itself.[18] Similarly, one member of the module's three-person crew will likely sleep in the Shenzhou spacecraft, preventing overcrowding.[18]

[edit] Mission profile

[edit] Background

Tiangong-1 was originally intended to be launched in August 2011, and was delivered to the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center on 23 July, successfully passing a launch rehearsal test on 17 August.[19] However, following the failed launch of a Long March 2C rocket in August 2011, the launch was postponed. Following an investigation into the August launch failure,[9][20] Tiangong-1's launch was rescheduled for late September 2011,[21] partly to coincide with the Chinese National Day on 1 October.[22]

[edit] Launch

On 20 September 2011, the spacecraft was again rolled out to Pad 1 of the South Launch Site at Jiuquan in preparation for the rescheduled launch attempt.[23] The launch occurred at 13:16 UTC on 29 September, successfully placing Tiangong-1 into low Earth orbit.[19] Chinese television broadcast the launch animation accompanied by an instrumental version of the American patriotic song America the Beautiful, a choice of music for which it later offered no explanation.[24]

[edit] Orbital transfers and testing

On 2 October 2011, Tiangong-1 completed the second of two orbital transfer maneuvers, reaching an apogee altitude of 362 kilometres (225 mi).[5] This was the precursor to a week-long program of orbital testing, conducted from the Beijing Aerospace Command and Control Center, to prepare the module for future orbital docking operations.[5] On 10 October, Tiangong-1 released its first orbital photo, showing a view of its outer hull and satellite relay antenna.[25]

[edit] Autonomous orbital docking

The unmanned Shenzhou 8 mission successfully docked with Tiangong-1 on 2 November 2011 GMT, marking China's first orbital docking.[11] Shenzhou 8 undocked from Tiangong-1 on 14 November, before successfully completing a second rendezvous and docking, so as to test the reusability of the docking system.[26][27][12] Shenzhou 8 deorbited on 17 November 2011, and landed safely in Siziwang Banner in Inner Mongolia.[28] In the aftermath of the mission, the CNSA reported that Tiangong-1's systems were in optimal condition.[29]

[edit] Manned missions

[edit] Preparations

The manned Shenzhou 9 and Shenzhou 10 missions are planned to dock with Tiangong-1 in 2012.[30] In December 2011, the Tiangong-1 module began automated internal checks for toxic gas, to ensure that its interior would be safe for astronauts to enter.[31] In January 2012, prior to the beginning of manned operations, reports emerged alleging that the American X-37B robotic spaceplane was shadowing Tiangong-1 for surveillance purposes.[32] However, former United States Air Force orbital analyst Brian Weeden later refuted this claim, emphasizing that the X-37B occupied a different orbit to Tiangong-1, and would not be able to closely observe the module.[33]

[edit] Future applications

Tiangong-1 is intended as a testbed for key technologies that will be used in China's large modular space station, which is planned for launch in 2020. Furthermore, modified versions of Tiangong-1 will be used as robotic cargo spacecraft to resupply this station. The launch mass of the Tiangong-1-derived cargo spacecraft is expected to be around 13 metric tons (29,000 lb), with a payload of around 6 metric tons (13,000 lb).[34]

[edit] Visibility from Earth

See also: List of satellite pass predictors

Tiangong-1 may be visible to the naked eye only at lower latitudes, since it has an orbit inclination of 42 degrees.[6][35]

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b "China to launch unmanned space module by Sept 30". Spacedaily.com. http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/China_to_launch_unmanned_space_module_by_Sept_30_999.html. Retrieved 2011-09-29. 
  2. ^ "Insider: Tiangong 1 to launch in early Sept.". Beijing Times. 2011-08-24. http://english.people.com.cn/90882/7578878.html. Retrieved 2011-09-01. 
  3. ^ 天宫一号任务飞行方案. (PDF, in Chinese). Retrieved on 2011-09-30.
  4. ^ a b c Xin, Dingding (2011-09-27). "Spacecraft ready to go on mission". China Daily. http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/usa/china/2011-09/27/content_13799611.htm. Retrieved 2011-09-27. 
  5. ^ a b c d "天宫一号成功完成二次变轨" (in Chinese). People's Daily, 1 October 2011. Retrieved 2011-11-21.
  6. ^ a b Peat, Chris. "Tiangong 1 - Visible Passes". Heavens-Above GmbH. http://www.heavens-above.com/PassSummary.aspx?satid=37820&lat=0&lng=0&loc=Unspecified&alt=0&tz=CET. Retrieved October 3, 2011. 
  7. ^ "China launches Tiangong-1 to mark next human space flight milestone". NASASpaceflight.com, 28 September 2011. Retrieved 2011-10-22.
  8. ^ a b David, Leonard (2011-03-11). "China Details Ambitious Space Station Goals". SPACE.com. http://www.space.com/11048-china-space-station-plans-details.html. Retrieved 2011-03-09. "China is ready to carry out a multiphase construction program that leads to a large space station around 2020. As a prelude to building that facility, China is set to loft the Tiangong-1 module this year as a platform to help master key rendezvous and docking technologies." 
  9. ^ a b c "Spacecraft Tiangong-1 launch delayed". China Daily. 2 September 2011. http://www.china.org.cn/china/2011-09/02/content_23337097.htm. Retrieved 2011-09-14. 
  10. ^ China to launch module for future space station (PDF) PhysOrg.com. Retrieved 2011-10-16.
  11. ^ a b "Chinese spacecraft dock in orbit". BBC News, 2011-11-02.
  12. ^ a b "China completes second space docking". AFP via Google, 14 November 2011. Retrieved 2011-11-15.
  13. ^ "天宫一号"空间站已进入初样研制阶段(图)". 2009-01-25. http://news.cctv.com/china/20090126/101153.shtml. 
  14. ^ "我国将于2010年-2011年发射小型空间站". 2008-09-29. http://news.sina.com.cn/c/2008-09-29/145316381853.shtml. 
  15. ^ "Unmanned space module to be launched in 2010, await space docking". Xinhuanet. 2009-02-28. http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-02/28/content_10917086.htm. Retrieved 2011-09-30. 
  16. ^ "China Accelerates Manned Space Program with Tiangong Docking Module and Advanced Shenzhou". AmericaSpace, 23 September 2011. Retrieved 2011-11-03.
  17. ^ InterSpace News, 29 September 2011. Retrieved 2011-11-03.
  18. ^ a b c "Living on Tiangong". SpaceDaily.com, 25 October 2011. Retrieved 2011-10-29.
  19. ^ a b Barbosa, Rui. "China launches TianGong-1 to mark next human space flight milestone". NASASpaceflight.com. http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2011/09/china-major-human-space-flight-milestone-tiangong-1s-launch/. 
  20. ^ Moskowitz, Clara. (2011-09-14) MSNBC. Retrieved 2011-09-17. MSNBC. Retrieved on 2011-09-30.
  21. ^ China Readies for Own Space Station in Test Launch. International Business Times (2011-09-21). Retrieved on 2011-09-30.
  22. ^ SPACE: ‘Heavenly Palace’ heads into space. Businessday.co.za (2011-09-21). Retrieved on 2011-09-30.
  23. ^ China set to ‘Leap Forward in Space’ as Tiangong 1 Rolls to Launch Pad. Universe Today (2011-09-26). Retrieved on 2011-09-30.
  24. ^ Murray, Warren (30 September 2011). "Rocket's red glaring error: China sets space launch to America the Beautiful". The Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/sep/30/china-launch-america-the-beautiful. Retrieved 30 September 2011. 
  25. ^ "Tiangong 1 releases first photo in space". People's Daily, 12 October 2011. Retrieved 2011-10-18.
  26. ^ "2nd docking of Tiangong-1 & Shenzhou-8 on schedule". Xinhua, 7 November 2011.
  27. ^ "Chinese spacecraft Shenzhou-8 disengages from space lab module Tiangong-1". Xinhua, 14 November 2011.
  28. ^ "Shenzhou 8 Docking Mission Major Step To Space Station, China Says". Huffington Post, 18 November 2011.
  29. ^ "China plans major effort in pursuing manned space technology". Space Daily, 22 November 2011. Retrieved 2011-11-23.
  30. ^ "China tests 1st space station module for 2011 launch". China Daily, 2010-08-17. Retrieved 2012-01-14.
  31. ^ "Tiangong-1 orbiter starts planned cabin checks against toxic gas". SpaceDaily, 19 December 2011.
  32. ^ "US 'space warplane' may be spying on Chinese spacelab". The Register, 6 January 2012. Retrieved 2012-01-13.
  33. ^ "Expert: U. S. Secret Space Plane Not Likely 'Spying' on China Module". International Business Times, 9 January 2012. Retrieved 2012-01-13.
  34. ^ "中国研制新火箭 发射货运飞船". 2011-07-09. http://trans.wenweipo.com/gb/paper.wenweipo.com/2011/07/09/YO1107090008.htm. Retrieved 2011-10-22. 
  35. ^ Covault, Craig. "Tiangong Roars Aloft Under Watchful Eyes of Party Leadership". AmericaSpace. http://www.americaspace.org/?p=9360. Retrieved October 3, 2011. 

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