Yesterday from the Jiuquan launch site in orbit went flying laboratory Tiangong-2 - a model for developing technology for future full-fledged space station, China.
10.4-meter-long and 9.5-ton ship Tiangong-2 ( "Heavenly Palace") was launched aboard the rocket Long March-2F T2 and achieved an orbital altitude of 380 km, which will soon begin to include verification and on-board equipment, and then raise orbit to 393 km. On this orbit will work planned for the next decade China's own space station. Well, Tiangong-2 will be waiting for the visit of the first taikonaut: in mid-October a crew of two people should come to the module aboard Shenzhou-11. They will stay here for 30 days and will conduct a series of experiments in biology, physics and space medicine. "The launch of Tiangong-2 provides a sturdy base for the construction and operation of a permanent space station in the future", - commented the head of the Chinese manned program Wu Ping (Wu Ping). But we will first look at the past.
Past: Tiangong-1
Previous ship Tiangong-1 was launched by China five years ago, in September 2011, and completed its work in March of this year, and next fall will come out of orbit and burn up in the atmosphere. Its key objective was to develop rendezvous and docking technology, and it is from this space station for the first time the Chinese successfully docked their ships Shenzhou series, both cargo and manned. Twice she visited taikonaut, having on board eight and then 12 days - has become one of the expeditions at the same time and the first for China's manned flight crew, which included two women at once.
At the docked ship manned 8.5 tonne and 10.4-meter Tiangong-1 module is capable of providing the work crew of three people for up to 20 days. 15 cubic meters of space are sealed berths for two, as well as a simulator for maintaining health and fitness in microgravity. This washroom and dining room are on the ship, docked with the station. Interestingly, for the creation of psychologically comfortable environment in the design of the interior two-tone combination is used, with a dark side "of the earth" and the light side "of the sky."
With the withdrawal of the orbit Tiangong-1, China became the third after Russia (USSR) and the United States country of the world, able to create and use your own manned space station. However, even seemingly Tiangong-1 is too reminiscent of Soviet station first generations - civil "unions" and the military "Diamonds." Similarly, and their internal layout, which includes a sealed working and living compartments, as well as a smaller transition compartment, which ends docking station.
Past "Salute"
Tiangong-1 module was the basis for a more sophisticated version of Tiangong-2 and parts of the future multi-module Tiangong-3 station. But he inherits the Tiangong-1 is still the Soviet program of creation of space stations, and the first devices "Salute" series in the world. However, out of them the same and more complex and large-scale projects, including the ISS. American engineers, confining only Skylab station, turned to other tasks, while the domestic cosmonautics actively develop this area, creating a multi-station "Mir" and laid the foundations of modern international exchange.
In fact, Chinese developers scrupulously repeat the path traversed by our Russian colleagues, just do it much faster. Like their predecessors, during the first flights Tiangong-1 and the Tiangong-2, they have to work a job docked pairs: the orbital module and spacecraft. Only then of similar modules will be assembled complex structure big station.
Future: Tiangong-2
In comparison with the Tiangong-1, China's new station has become much more complicated and more spacious: its objectives are related primarily to technology organization comfortable residence on board and working people. Like its predecessor (as well as Soviet "Fireworks"), it includes a sealed laboratory and habitation module and transition compartment, where the docking station. The station also has a solar panel, a maintenance orbit maneuvering and provide their own engines.
There's even organized access to the Internet and television broadcasts. The first all this will be tested in two taikonaut to go sailing for about a month. Their names were not disclosed, although it is known that they will conduct scientific experiments in addition to a series of tests related to the repair and maintenance of the station. Total for the month of the first human habitation on board will be carried out 14 experiments.
Six months later, in April 2017, to the Tiangong-2 must first dock Chinese cargo spaceship Tianzhou-1, delivering fuel here and laboratory materials. The previous refueling stations are not required, and the mission to ensure it is not organized. Starts 13-ton ship from the spaceport Wenchang on board the rocket Long March 7 and apparently delayed at the station for a while: the Chinese are planning to work with the docking of the second ship docked first.
Future: Tiangong-3
China's own national space station plans to acquire by 2022. And although the 66-ton structure can not be compared with a 400-tonne ISS, nor even with the Soviet station "Mir", which weighed more than 120 tons, it will be the third in the history of a multi manned space station . Consisting Tiangong-3 is a three placed into orbit separately and stacked modules, which repeats the general concept of the Chinese plant of previous generations, and in general, - the same Soviet "Salyut".
A total of three 22-ton module form of about 40 m structure capable of providing the work crew of three people for 40 days. Basic Tianhe (control center, docking bay, the communication system, the launch in 2018) will complement the experimental Wentian (duplication of functions of management, storage, solar panels work, airlock, running in 2018-2022 gg.) And Mengtian (laboratory module, run in 2018-2022 gg.). On the outer surface Wentian laboratory module will be mounted robotic arm manipulator. Estimated lifetime of Tiangong-3 is 10 years old.
Interestingly, the fourth module, which was considered originally composed station is autonomous. Orbital Observatory Xuntian, carrying a two-meter telescope in its capabilities approaching the Hubble telescope, will be on the same orbit as the station from time to time and will be joined to it for maintenance, repair and replacement of equipment.
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