Six flight missions have been confirmed for this year! And here are some breaking news →

With the safe return of the three astronauts Zhai Zhigang, Wang Yaping and Ye Guangfu, the Shenzhou 13 manned flight mission was a success, marking the successful completion of the key technology verification phase of China's space station and the entry into the construction phase.

What breakthroughs has China made during the key technology verification phase of its space station?

What plans and arrangements are there during the construction phase?

On April 17, the State Council Information Office held a press conference on the progress of China's space station construction. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Pan Xu

A total of six flight missions are planned for 2022

Hao Chun, director of the China Manned Space Engineering Office, said that according to the mission plan, six flight missions will be carried out in 2022 to complete the in-orbit construction of my country's space station. The six missions are:

The crews of Shenzhou-14 and Shenzhou-15 realized the in-orbit rotation for the first time.

Six astronauts in orbit

According to the mission arrangement of the space station construction phase, the astronaut crews for the two manned flight missions have been selected. Currently, the flight crews of Shenzhou 14 and Shenzhou 15 are in very good physical and mental condition and are actively carrying out relevant training and mission preparation.

Huang Weifen, chief designer of the astronaut system of China's manned space program and researcher at the China Astronaut Research and Training Center, said that both the Shenzhou 14 and Shenzhou 15 crews will fly in orbit for 6 months, and will realize the rotation of crews in orbit for the first time, realizing uninterrupted human presence. The two crews of 6 astronauts will stay in orbit together for 5 to 10 days, and the astronaut system will face more severe challenges.

(Photo source: Xinhua News Agency)

The development of Wentian and Mengtian experimental modules is progressing smoothly.

Yang Hong, academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, chief designer of the space station system of China's manned space engineering project, and researcher of the China Academy of Space Technology, said at the press conference that after the construction of the space station is completed, the Wentian laboratory module and the Mengtian laboratory module will be the main workplaces for astronauts in orbit. Both laboratory modules can carry out space science experiments and technical experiments inside and outside the sealed cabin. Both cabins are equipped with indoor payload test cabinets and extravehicular payload installation platforms, and also provide support and guarantee measures such as information, power supply and heat dissipation. Experiments in many fields such as space science, space materials, space medicine and space exploration can be carried out.

At present, the development of the Wentian and Mengtian experimental modules on the ground is progressing smoothly. Among them, the Wentian experimental module is equipped with the same astronaut living facilities as the core module, including 3 sleeping areas, 1 sanitary area and kitchen facilities, which can ensure the life of astronauts and can also support the lives of 6 astronauts during the rotation of the two manned spacecraft together with the core module. In addition, a small robotic arm is also configured in the cabin, which can be used alone or in combination with the large robotic arm of the core module to complete the tasks of astronauts' extravehicular activities, extravehicular facility care, and inspection.

my country plans to launch its first large-scale space survey telescope next year

After the in-orbit construction of the space station is completed this year, the project will enter an application and development phase lasting more than ten years.

During the application and development phase of the space station, the scientific experiment cabinets arranged inside the space station cabin and the large payload facilities outside the cabin will be used to carry out larger-scale space research experiments and new technology tests.

In 2023, my country plans to launch its first large-scale space survey telescope to carry out wide-area survey observations. It will conduct cutting-edge scientific research in the formation and evolution of cosmic structure, dark matter and dark energy, exoplanets and solar system bodies, and is expected to achieve a number of major innovative results.

China's manned space flight will move from near-Earth space to cis-lunar space

Throughout the development of the world's manned spaceflight industry, the moon has always been a hotbed for manned spaceflight to move toward deep space. China's manned spaceflight will also move from near-Earth space to cis-lunar space, and then to deep space. While developing and building the space station, we have also carried out key technology research and in-depth demonstration of manned lunar exploration. I believe that in the near future, the Chinese nation's thousand-year-old dream of Chang'e flying to the moon and winning the first prize in the imperial examination will become a reality.

(Photo source: Xinhuanet)

Since 2020

my country successfully carried out the first flight of the Long March 5B carrier rocket

Space station Tianhe core module

Shenzhou XII and Shenzhou XIII manned spacecraft

Tianzhou-2 and Tianzhou-3 cargo spacecraft

A total of 6 missions

Successfully completed the mission objectives of the key technology verification phase

Shenzhou 13

The journey of the three astronauts came to an end

But China's space development will not stop.

Looking forward to the next ignition takeoff

Salute to the Chinese astronauts who continue their efforts!

Comprehensive sources: Xinhua News Agency, CCTV News, Science and Technology Daily, etc.