New Delhi: The Wentian lab module on the Chinese Tiangong Space Station has 50 payload adaptors on the exterior, where international collaborators, private industries and scientists can install payloads for conducting experiments in Earth orbit, supported by 100 Mbps connections and a robotic arm. There are also 25 internal pressurised payload racks, which are suitable for investigations in biology and material sciences. China is using its Tianzhou cargo shuttle and its mobility for additional capabilities. China has deployed CubeSats for private customers, universities and high school students using the Tianzhou cargo shuttle.
The current configuration of the Tiangong Space Station. (Image Credit: CMSA).
Ming Li from the China Academy of Space Technology (CAST) revealed China’s future plans for human spaceflight at the International Astronautical Congress 2024 in Milan, Italy. China wants to double up the size of its Tiangong Space Station, resulting in a cross-shaped configuration. China also wants to increase the amount of experiment racks available. Then, China intends to develop its next-generation crew transport, Menghzhou or ‘Dream Boat’, capable of transporting a crew of seven to Low Earth Orbit. The Russian Soyuz spaceship supports a crew of three while the SpaceX Dragon can pack in a crew of six in a contingency, that hasn’t yet been used in an operational mission. China is designing Menghzhou as a reusable spaceship. China is designing Menghzhou as a reusable spaceship, with the capacity for ferrying a crew of three to lunar orbit.
China’s plans for human presence on lunar surface
China intends to land a human on the Moon by the end of the decade. The idea is to use a pair of Long March 10 rockets to launch Menghzhou and the Lanyue Lunar Lander, a name that translates to ‘Embracing the Moon’, which provides access to the service. This will require a pair of launches for every crewed mission to the Moon. The astronauts will transfer to and from Lanyue from Menghzhou in lunar orbit. Beyond the lunar landings, China wants to set up its International Lunar Research Station (ILRS), and is working closely with international collaborators. Any member country of the UN can work with China’s Space Station.
China’s international collaborations in Space. The CSST here is the the two metre ‘Xuntian’ Space Telescope comparable to Hubble and open to scientific community. (Image Credit: CMS/IAC 24).
China is not just working with other spacefaring nations, but intends to build capacity for emerging economies and developing nations. Li said, “We hope to actively carry out exchanges with other countries and seek cooperation opportunities. In my view, to build a community with a shared future if mankind in space, we need collaboration, not only on ground, but also in space. Collaboration not just for profit, but also for resolution of urgent issues we are facing. Collaboration not only for our generation, but also for our children, and for a sustainable future. Let’s work together, and make that happen.”
