Tiangong

Tiangong (Chinese: 天宫; pinyin: Tiāngōng; literally "Heavenly Palace") is a space station program of the People's Republic of China, with the goal of creating a third generation space station, comparable to Mir.

Details

Space laboratory phase

Chinese efforts to develop LEO space station capabilities will begin with a space laboratory phase, with the launch of three Tiangong space modules.

Tiangong 1 "target vehicle"

Drawing of Shenzhou docked to Tiangong 1

Template:Main The Chinese docking target consists of a propulsion (resource) module and a pressurized module for experiments, with a docking mechanism at either end. The docking port of the experiment section supports automated docking. Its length is {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}}, diameter is {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}}, with a mass of {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}}. Launched on September 29, 2011, it is intended for short stays of a crew of three.

Tiangong 2 "space laboratory"

Shenzhou docked to Tiangong 2

Template:Main The Chinese Space Lab will be launched in 2013. Configuration is as follows:

• Crew Size: 3, with 20 days of life support resources.
• Length: {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}}
• Maximum Diameter: {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}}
• Mass: {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}}
• Two docking portsTemplate:Citation needed

Tiangong 3 "space station"

Template:Main Template:as of, the Chinese Space Lab is planned to be launched in the 2015 timeframe.

• 40 days of living conditions for three astronauts
• Evaluate regenerative life-support technology, and verify orbital replenishment of propellant and air.