Tag: Tiangong Space Program

China Maps Out Plans to Put Astronauts on the Moon and on Mars

Chin@Strategy

JIUQUAN SATELLITE LAUNCH CENTER — Thirty years ago, the Chinese government initiated a secret plan for its space program, including a key goal of building a space station by 2020. At the time, the country was 11 years from sending its first astronaut into space, and its space efforts were going through a rough patch: Chinese rockets failed in 1991, 1992, 1995 and twice in 1996. The worst failure, in 1996, was a rocket that tipped to the side, flew in the wrong direction and exploded 22 seconds after launch,…

Why Some Scientists Choose China’s Space Station for Research

Chin@Strategy

Seeking to burnish its prestige in the world, China is portraying its Tiangong orbital outpost as a space station that is available for scientists everywhere, not just for those who happen to live in other countries with established space programs. “We stand ready to conduct more international cooperation and exchanges with countries and regions committed to the peaceful use of outer space,” Wang Wenbin, a spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, said in April. For the International Space Station — a partnership between NASA, Russia, Canada, the European Space Agency…

A Timeline of China’s Advancements in Spaceflight

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July 19, 1964 China successfully launches its first biological experiment to the edge of space: a rocket carrying eight white mice. ⬇ April 24, 1970 China launches its first satellite, which broadcasts the patriotic anthem “The East is Red” as it orbits. ⬇ Nov. 26, 1975 China launches a remote-sensing satellite that orbits the planet and returns to Earth on Nov. 29. ⬇ March 5, 1986 Deng Xiaoping approves a science and technology project code-named “863” to develop the country’s crewed spacecraft. ⬇ Sept. 21, 1992 Jiang Zemin approves “Project…

China to Launch 3 Astronauts to New Space Station: How to Watch

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On Tuesday night in China, a rocket as tall as a 20-story building will carry three astronauts toward a rendezvous with the country’s just-completed space station. The mission, which is called Shenzhou 15, will set a significant milestone for China’s crewed space program. Here’s what you need to know about the flight and why it is significant. When is the launch and how can I watch it? The mission will lift off at 11:08 p.m. local time on Tuesday, or 10:08 a.m. Eastern time in the United States. CGTN, China’s…

China Launches Its Space Station’s Third and Final Module

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China launched the third and final module of its space station on Monday, a significant step as the country expands its extensive scientific research outside the Earth’s atmosphere. State television broadcast the launch live, showing a rocket roaring into a gray layer of clouds above Hainan Island in southernmost China, with the module aboard. Deng Hongqin, the director of the launch command center, announced after 14 minutes that the module was in orbit. Nearly 59 feet long and weighing 23 tons, the module, called Mengtian, was expected to dock with…

A Tour of China’s Tiangong Space Station

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Experiment module Shenzhou crew ship Tiangong space station Tianzhou cargo ship Tianhe core module Experiment module Experiment module Shenzhou crew ship Tiangong space station Tianzhou cargo ship Tianhe core module Experiment module Experiment module Tiangong space station Shenzhou crew ship Tianzhou cargo ship Tianhe core module Experiment module Experiment module Experiment module A new outpost for astronauts will soon be finished in orbit: China’s new Tiangong space station, or Heavenly Palace. Tiangong will be able to support three astronauts, or up to six people during crew rotations. The unfinished station…