Tiangong 2

Tiangong-2
天宫二号
A display mock-up of Tiangong-2.
Station statistics
Crew 3
Launch 2013 (planned)
Mass 20,000 kilograms (44,000 lb)
Length 14.4 metres (47 ft)
Diameter 4.2 metres (14 ft)

Tiangong-2 (Chinese: 天宫二号; pinyin: Tiāngōng èrhào; literally "Heavenly Palace 2") will be a Chinese space laboratory, part of the Project 921-2 space station program. Tiangong-2 is expected to be launched by the China National Space Agency in 2013 to replace the prototype module Tiangong-1, which was launched in September 2011.[1]

Contents

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Development

In 2008, the China Manned Space Engineering Office published a brief description of Tiangong-2 and its successor Tiangong-3, indicating that several manned spaceships would be launched to dock with Tiangong-2. According to Chinese officials, Tiangong-2 is scheduled to be launched around 2013.[2] Unmanned cargo spacecraft will dock with the station, allowing for resupply and long-term human habitation.[3]

Specifications

The expected specifications of Tiangong-2 will be as follows:

See also

References

  1. ^ "Tiangong-1 launch betrays China's earthly ambitions". BBC News, 29 September 2011. Retrieved 2011-11-21.
  2. ^ a b David, Leonard (2011-03-11). "China Details Ambitious Space Station Goals". SPACE.com. http://www.space.com/11048-china-space-station-plans-details.html. Retrieved 2011-03-09. "China is ready to carry out a multiphase construction program that leads to the large space station around 2020. As a prelude to building that facility, China is set to loft the Tiangong-1 module this year as a platform to help master key rendezvous and docking technologies." 
  3. ^ "China manned spaceflight program" (PDF). The Space Review, 15 October 2009. Retrieved 2011-11-21.
  4. ^ a b c Branigan, Tania; Sample, Ian (2011-04-26). "China unveils rival to International Space Station". UK Guardian (London). http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/apr/26/china-space-station-tiangong. Retrieved 2011-04-27. "China often chooses poetic names for its space projects, such as Chang'e – after the moon goddess – for its lunar probes; its rocket series, however, is named Long March, in tribute to communist history. The space station project is currently referred to as Tiangong, or "heavenly palace"."