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26th July 2022 (6 Topics)

China launches Wentian, second of three space station modules

Context

China recently launched the second of three modules needed to complete its new space station.

About

About Wentian lab module:

  • It is the largest and heaviest the country ever sent off to its space station complex that's under construction.
  • Weighing 23 tonnes, the Wentian lab module is 17.9 meters long with a diameter of 4.2 meters.
  • It consists of three parts:
  • a work cabin,
  • an airlock cabin and
  • a resource cabin
  • Compared with the Tianhe core module, which is already operating, Wentian is larger and heavier, out competing the core module in power supply and information transmission.
  • Wentian was propelled by a Long March 5B rocket from the Wenchang launch centre on China's tropical island of Hainan.
  • Beijing launched the central module of its space station Tiangong -- which means "heavenly palace" -- in April 2021.
  • Almost 60 feet long and weighing 22 tonnes, the new module has three sleeping areas and space for scientific experiments.
  • It will dock with the existing module in space, a challenging operation that experts said will require several high-precision manipulations and the use of a robotic arm.
  • Wentian will also serve as a backup platform to control the space station in the event of a failure.
  • The final module to complete the space station is scheduled to dock in October, and Tiangong is expected to become fully operational by the end of the year.
  • The station will then assume its final T-shape, and be similar in size to the former Russian-Soviet Mir station.
  • Its lifespan should be at least 10 years.
  • The world's second-largest economy has poured billions into its military-run space programme, with hopes of having a permanently crewed space station and eventually sending humans to the Moon.

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