Project 921-2
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| Project 921-2 | |
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| Statistics | |
| Mission Name: | Project 921-2 |
| Launch: | ~2012, China |
| Orbital mass: | 8,000 kg |
Project 921-2 is the working name given by the People's Republic of China in 1992 for plans to create a manned space station.
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[edit] Development
The project remained tentative throughout the 1990's while the PRC concentrated on the more modest goal of simply launching a manned flight. In 1999 project 921-2 was finally given official authorization. A first design review was carried out that May and a year later the first model of the planned space station was unveiled at Expo 2000 in Hanover. The model reveals a relatively small station measuring 20 meters and weighing under 40 tonnes though unused docking ports indicate much room for expansion.
In 2001 Chinese engineers described a three-step process toward the realization of Project 921-2. First, manned flight itself; this successfully occurred in 2003. Second, the orbiting of a space laboratory (a scaled back version of the initial model) that would only be manned on a short-term basis and left in an automated mode between visits. The third phase would involve the launch of a larger space laboratory, which would be permanently manned and be China's first true space station. The original target date for the fulfillment of the project was 2010.
As of November 2005, there are plans to dock the unmanned Shenzhou 8 and Shenzhou 9 mission modules together to form a space lab. The Shenzhou 10 manned mission will dock and enter that unit, but it is unclear whether this is the temporary space lab described as the second-phase of the project. There were also reports that a space station may be ready by 2012, which could be the second or third-phase.
On November 27, 2005, the deputy commander of the manned space program announced that China planned to perfect the technology for space walking and docking by 2012 and finish a permanent space station and manned moon mission by 2024.
[edit] Basic Design
- Crew Size: 3.
- Length: 9.00 m (29.50 ft).
- Basic Diameter: 2.25 m (7.38 ft).
- Maximum Diameter: 2.80 m (9.10 ft).
- Span: 17.00 m (55.00 ft).
- Mass: 8,000 kg (17,600 lb).
[edit] Domestic and International Reaction
The fact that China has successfully launched a man in space under its own auspices and plans to do the same with a space station has generated enormous pride within the country but has caused some consternation elsewhere. China is the most notable absentee from the International Space Station. After the success of China's self propelled space launch, China formally requested a spot on the International Space Station. The proposal of cooperation was rejected by the US. This has led to conjecture that China will be a competitor rather than a partner with regard to US in future international space ventures.
In regard to other nations, China has recently reached out to Russia, the ESA, and Canada, to carry out cooperative space initiatives. So it is likely only China and the US will rule out direct cooperation.
[edit] External links
- Article on Project 921-2
- China plans more space missions - October 16, 2003 article
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| Active: Shenzhou | Space Station | Space laboratory | Circumlunar Shenzhou | Chinese Lunar Exploration Program | Chinese Earth Observation Program | ||
| In Development: Shenzhou Cargo | Chinese Mars exploration program | Deep space exploration | ||
| Cancelled: Chinese Space Shuttle |
