China Launches First Unmanned Cargo Spacecraft Tianzhou-1 | Sputnik News

Martian

Respected Member
Senior Member
Joined
Sep 25, 2009
Messages
1,624
Likes
423
China launched its first unmanned cargo spacecraft (Tianzhou-1) today.

It was sent to the orbiting Chinese Tiangong-2 space station.

In the video below, the Long March 7 rocket ignites at 6:25. The roar of the rocket engines is deafening at 6:40 into the video.


"Streamed live 7 hours ago

China will launch an unmanned cargo spacecraft called Tianzhou-1 to the Tiangong-2 spacelab today at 11:41 UTC.

Tianzhou-1 will launch on a Long March 7 rocket."
----------

China Launches First Cargo Spacecraft Tianzhou-1 (VIDEO) | Sputnik News

 

Neo

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 17, 2009
Messages
4,515
Likes
964
China's making huge leaps in space and will certainly become the leader in near future.
 

Neo

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 17, 2009
Messages
4,515
Likes
964
Begaani shaadi mai abdullah deewana :pound:. Dance to the tunes of your new masters. :rofl:
Pathetic attempt to bait and derail the thread out of jealousy and inferiority complex again. Go beg to your old and new masters, Russia and USA, for ToT and maybe some day you will be able to match mighty China.

Bhagwan ke naam per ToT deday.
(In the name of bhagwan, give us ToT)
China se larenge, ToT deday.
(We will counter China, give us ToT) :basanti:
 

Hiranyaksha

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 5, 2017
Messages
2,098
Likes
4,515
Country flag
Pathetic attempt to bait and derail the thread out of jealousy and inferiority complex again. Go beg to your old and new masters, Russia and USA, for ToT and maybe some day you will be able to match mighty China.

Bhagwan ke naam per ToT deday.
(In the name of bhagwan, give us ToT)
China se larenge, ToT deday.
(We will counter China, give us ToT) :basanti:

Naach tu . Heera Mandi mai tera khandani pesha jo hai . lolz. Chutiye . Thalle baith ignore pe , kanjri ka bachcha.
 

Gaurav Ranwa

Regular Member
Joined
Jan 31, 2017
Messages
16
Likes
22
Country flag
Pathetic attempt to bait and derail the thread out of jealousy and inferiority complex again. Go beg to your old and new masters, Russia and USA, for ToT and maybe some day you will be able to match mighty China.

Bhagwan ke naam per ToT deday.
(In the name of bhagwan, give us ToT)
China se larenge, ToT deday.
(We will counter China, give us ToT) :basanti:
Look who's talking:pound:

The country which literally survived on the donation and bheek of other large economies is pointing fingers at others.

Only ignorants like u can consider an advanced and intelligent exercise as tot as bheek.

Agar itna hi dum Hai to China aur USA SE bheek kyun mangte ho khud kyon NAHI karte but who am I kidding no one can expect u guys to grow intelligence or even simple common sense:hehe:
 

amoy

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 17, 2010
Messages
5,982
Likes
1,849


First cargo spacecraft boosts China's space dream

ECNS App Download

China's first cargo spacecraft Tianzhou-1, atop a Long March-7 Y2 carrier rocket, blasts off from Wenchang Space Launch Center in south China's Hainan province, April 20, 2017. (Xinhua/Ju Zhenhua)

China has taken another step toward its goal of putting a space station into orbit around 2022, by sending its first cargo spacecraft Tianzhou-1 into space on Thursday evening.

Atop a Long March-7 Y2 carrier rocket, Tianzhou-1 rose into the air from the Wenchang Space Launch Center in south China's Hainan Province at 7:41 p.m.

China declared the launch a success after it entered designated orbit minutes later.

The cargo ship will dock with the orbiting Tiangong-2 space lab where two Chinese astronauts spent 30 days in the country's longest-ever manned space mission, provide fuel and other supplies to the latter, as well as conduct space experiments before falling back to Earth.

If the Tianzhou-1 mission is successful, China will become the third country besides Russia and the United States to master the technique of refueling in space.

China aims to build a permanent space station that is expected to orbit for at least 10 years, and the debut of the cargo ship is important as it acts as a courier to help maintain the space station.

Without a cargo transportation system, the station would run out of power and basic necessities, causing it to return to Earth before the designated time.

"The Tianzhou-1 mission includes the breakthrough of in-orbit refueling and other key technology needed to build a space station, laying a foundation for future space station operations," said Bai Mingsheng, chief designer of the cargo ship.

THREE DOCKINGS

Measuring 10.6 meters long and boasting a maximum diameter of 3.35 meters, the Tianzhou-1 cargo ship has a maximum takeoff weight of 13.5 tonnes, and could carry over 6 tonnes of supplies.

Tianzhou-1 is larger and heavier than Tiangong-2, which is 10.4 meters in length and has a maximum diameter of 3.35 meters, weighing 8.6 tonnes.

Bai said that supplies loaded on the cargo spacecraft are nearly as heavy as the ship's own weight, exceeding the loading capacity of Russian cargo ships in active service.

Tianzhou-1 will dock with Tiangong-2 three times, said Bai. After the first docking, aerospace engineers will test the controlling ability of the cargo spacecraft over the two spacecraft.

The second docking will be conducted from a different direction, which aims to test the ability of the cargo ship to dock with the space station from different directions.

In the last docking, Tianzhou-1 will use fast-docking technology. Previously, it took China about two days to dock, while fast docking will take about six hours, according to Bai.

Refueling is conducted during docking, a process that is much more complicated than refueling vehicles on land.

The refueling procedure will take 29 steps and last for several days each time.

This means the Tianzhou-1 will stay in space for about six months. It will fall into a designated sea area after fulfilling its tasks.


China's first cargo spacecraft Tianzhou-1, atop a Long March-7 Y2 carrier rocket, blasts off from Wenchang Space Launch Center in south China's Hainan province, April 20, 2017. (Xinhua/Yang Guanyu)

SUPPORTING SPACE STATION

Space cargo ships play a crucial role in the maintenance of a space station.

Cargo ships can send all kinds of supplies to the space station which can be an experiment field for developing technology in space.

Huang Weifen, a deputy chief designer of the Astronaut Center of China, said that supplies carried by Tianzhou-1 include goods that will meet the basic living and working needs of three astronauts for 30 days in space, including drinking water, oxygen bottles and nitrogen bottles.

Also onboard include facilities for microorganism tests, and sensors are installed to obtain data such as mechanics and temperature for the future design of the space suit outside a spacecraft.

"We hope to gather relevant data through this mission and accumulate experience for sending material for the future space station," she said.

VISION OF SPACE POWER

Although China has achieved many giant steps in space exploration, the country's space odyssey is far from over as it eyes building its own space station and far beyond that: landing on Mars.

In 1992, the central authority approved a three-step manned space program.

The first step, to send an astronaut into space and return safely, was fulfilled by Yang Liwei in Shenzhou-5 mission in 2013.

The second step was developing advanced space flight techniques and technologies including extra-vehicular activity and orbital docking.

The final step will be able to operate a permanent manned space station.

Chinese scientists said they plan to launch a core module of the country's first space station around 2018, followed by two experiment modules.

The station in the primary stage will be composed of three modules: core module, experiment module I and experiment module II. Each module will weigh more than 20 tonnes and together the three will be structured in the shape of T. The core module will be in the middle with an experiment module on each side.

During its operation, the space station could be linked to one additional cargo ship and two manned spacecraft at one time, and the maximum weight of the whole assembly could reach up to 90 tonnes.

Based on such design, scientists will keep updating capsules in accordance with scientific research and extend their abilities.

With the International Space Station set to retire in 2024, the Chinese space station will offer a promising alternative, and China will be the only country with a permanent space station.

So far, China has successfully launched 11 Shenzhou series spacecraft, including six manned spacecraft that lifted 11 astronauts into space.

The country strives to realize the third step of its lunar program in 2017: sending Chang'e-5 lunar probe onto the moon which will return with samples.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Neo

Dark Lord

Regular Member
Joined
Apr 10, 2017
Messages
189
Likes
27


First cargo spacecraft boosts China's space dream

ECNS App Download

China's first cargo spacecraft Tianzhou-1, atop a Long March-7 Y2 carrier rocket, blasts off from Wenchang Space Launch Center in south China's Hainan province, April 20, 2017. (Xinhua/Ju Zhenhua)

China has taken another step toward its goal of putting a space station into orbit around 2022, by sending its first cargo spacecraft Tianzhou-1 into space on Thursday evening.

Atop a Long March-7 Y2 carrier rocket, Tianzhou-1 rose into the air from the Wenchang Space Launch Center in south China's Hainan Province at 7:41 p.m.

China declared the launch a success after it entered designated orbit minutes later.

The cargo ship will dock with the orbiting Tiangong-2 space lab where two Chinese astronauts spent 30 days in the country's longest-ever manned space mission, provide fuel and other supplies to the latter, as well as conduct space experiments before falling back to Earth.

If the Tianzhou-1 mission is successful, China will become the third country besides Russia and the United States to master the technique of refueling in space.

China aims to build a permanent space station that is expected to orbit for at least 10 years, and the debut of the cargo ship is important as it acts as a courier to help maintain the space station.

Without a cargo transportation system, the station would run out of power and basic necessities, causing it to return to Earth before the designated time.

"The Tianzhou-1 mission includes the breakthrough of in-orbit refueling and other key technology needed to build a space station, laying a foundation for future space station operations," said Bai Mingsheng, chief designer of the cargo ship.

THREE DOCKINGS

Measuring 10.6 meters long and boasting a maximum diameter of 3.35 meters, the Tianzhou-1 cargo ship has a maximum takeoff weight of 13.5 tonnes, and could carry over 6 tonnes of supplies.

Tianzhou-1 is larger and heavier than Tiangong-2, which is 10.4 meters in length and has a maximum diameter of 3.35 meters, weighing 8.6 tonnes.

Bai said that supplies loaded on the cargo spacecraft are nearly as heavy as the ship's own weight, exceeding the loading capacity of Russian cargo ships in active service.

Tianzhou-1 will dock with Tiangong-2 three times, said Bai. After the first docking, aerospace engineers will test the controlling ability of the cargo spacecraft over the two spacecraft.

The second docking will be conducted from a different direction, which aims to test the ability of the cargo ship to dock with the space station from different directions.

In the last docking, Tianzhou-1 will use fast-docking technology. Previously, it took China about two days to dock, while fast docking will take about six hours, according to Bai.

Refueling is conducted during docking, a process that is much more complicated than refueling vehicles on land.

The refueling procedure will take 29 steps and last for several days each time.

This means the Tianzhou-1 will stay in space for about six months. It will fall into a designated sea area after fulfilling its tasks.


China's first cargo spacecraft Tianzhou-1, atop a Long March-7 Y2 carrier rocket, blasts off from Wenchang Space Launch Center in south China's Hainan province, April 20, 2017. (Xinhua/Yang Guanyu)

SUPPORTING SPACE STATION

Space cargo ships play a crucial role in the maintenance of a space station.

Cargo ships can send all kinds of supplies to the space station which can be an experiment field for developing technology in space.

Huang Weifen, a deputy chief designer of the Astronaut Center of China, said that supplies carried by Tianzhou-1 include goods that will meet the basic living and working needs of three astronauts for 30 days in space, including drinking water, oxygen bottles and nitrogen bottles.

Also onboard include facilities for microorganism tests, and sensors are installed to obtain data such as mechanics and temperature for the future design of the space suit outside a spacecraft.

"We hope to gather relevant data through this mission and accumulate experience for sending material for the future space station," she said.

VISION OF SPACE POWER

Although China has achieved many giant steps in space exploration, the country's space odyssey is far from over as it eyes building its own space station and far beyond that: landing on Mars.

In 1992, the central authority approved a three-step manned space program.

The first step, to send an astronaut into space and return safely, was fulfilled by Yang Liwei in Shenzhou-5 mission in 2013.

The second step was developing advanced space flight techniques and technologies including extra-vehicular activity and orbital docking.

The final step will be able to operate a permanent manned space station.

Chinese scientists said they plan to launch a core module of the country's first space station around 2018, followed by two experiment modules.

The station in the primary stage will be composed of three modules: core module, experiment module I and experiment module II. Each module will weigh more than 20 tonnes and together the three will be structured in the shape of T. The core module will be in the middle with an experiment module on each side.

During its operation, the space station could be linked to one additional cargo ship and two manned spacecraft at one time, and the maximum weight of the whole assembly could reach up to 90 tonnes.

Based on such design, scientists will keep updating capsules in accordance with scientific research and extend their abilities.

With the International Space Station set to retire in 2024, the Chinese space station will offer a promising alternative, and China will be the only country with a permanent space station.

So far, China has successfully launched 11 Shenzhou series spacecraft, including six manned spacecraft that lifted 11 astronauts into space.

The country strives to realize the third step of its lunar program in 2017: sending Chang'e-5 lunar probe onto the moon which will return with samples.
China is moving leaps and bounds in space technology where isro can't even make a modern engine. Sad!
 

armyofhind

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 11, 2014
Messages
1,531
Likes
2,913
Country flag
China is moving leaps and bounds in space technology where isro can't even make a modern engine. Sad!
Spoken like a true porkistani buklund who goes wagging his tail and selling his women to the chinese for each and every thing whereas not being able to do anything on his own.

isro can't even make a modern engine
Read the news instead of studying the quran ******. You'll come to know about who world record of most satellites launched in a go belongs to.
 

Dark Lord

Regular Member
Joined
Apr 10, 2017
Messages
189
Likes
27
Spoken like a true porkistani buklund who goes wagging his tail and selling his women to the chinese for each and every thing whereas not being able to do anything on his own.


Read the news instead of studying the quran ******. You'll come to know about who world record of most satellites launched in a go belongs to.
As a proud Indian this is heartbreaking but this is a fact. Isro is nothing compared to other nations. China is currently leading space exploration followed by USA and russia. Japan is planing to send robots to mars. China is going to send people to moon in FIVE YEARS. China is building a space station itself. Where are we? Sending some small satellites in low orbits. Iran, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Brazil does the same thing. We are no where near the top league of space faring nation.
 

armyofhind

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 11, 2014
Messages
1,531
Likes
2,913
Country flag
As a proud Indian this is heartbreaking but this is a fact. Isro is nothing compared to other nations. China is currently leading space exploration followed by USA and russia. Japan is planing to send robots to mars. China is going to send people to moon in FIVE YEARS. China is building a space station itself. Where are we? Sending some small satellites in low orbits. Iran, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Brazil does the same thing. We are no where near the top league of space faring nation.
There is no "WE". You are a squirmy false flagger. Its pretty evident.

Pakistan, your hellhole nation, launches satellites? Really? Did your madrassa mullah feed you that crap after you sucked his cock?

India has sent spacecraft in lunar and mars orbits. Follow up missions are coming.
ISRO holds the world record for maximum satellites launched in a go.

India has its own satnav to come in operation by year end. Th list goes on.

Your shithole has remained a shithole where not even a scooter is manufactured in-house.
 

J20!

Senior Member
Joined
Oct 20, 2011
Messages
2,748
Likes
1,541
Country flag
And cue the "mine is bigger crowd".


The thread has nothing to do with India. Could we please stop the "we launched more satellites in one go" so we're better nonsense.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Neo

Martian

Respected Member
Senior Member
Joined
Sep 25, 2009
Messages
1,624
Likes
423
Here is a video of the Tianzhou-1 automated resupply cargo ship docking with the Tiangong-2 spacelab on YouTube.


"Tianzhou-1 Docking with Tiangong-2

Published on Apr 22, 2017

The Tianzhou-1 cargo spacecraft successfully completed automated docking with the orbiting Tiangong-2 space lab. The two vessels will orbit together for about two months, then Tianzhou-1 will orbit independently for about three months for further experiments."
 
  • Like
Reactions: Neo

hardip

Regular Member
Joined
Jul 5, 2015
Messages
462
Likes
379
As a proud Indian this is heartbreaking but this is a fact. Isro is nothing compared to other nations. China is currently leading space exploration followed by USA and russia. Japan is planing to send robots to mars. China is going to send people to moon in FIVE YEARS. China is building a space station itself. Where are we? Sending some small satellites in low orbits. Iran, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Brazil does the same thing. We are no where near the top league of space faring nation.
Ha ha ha....


Off course..chinese ahead than india..
But.. India is also on this way..

But if u think..



Pakistan..can also doing this..

U have to chak ur knowledge..... dude..

No . Satellite program being in pak..


Just mullah madressa..factory in that country..

Other big achievement is Pak also make Fool the World..
 

The Ultranationalist

Tihar Jail
Banned
Joined
Jan 30, 2017
Messages
996
Likes
2,453
Country flag
Naach tu . Heera Mandi mai tera khandani pesha jo hai . lolz. Chutiye . Thalle baith ignore pe , kanjri ka bachcha.
Man whats the problem with you? Why all this trolling and falme baiting? Do you want to take this forums level down to that of pdf? Please keep the discusdion civilized, thank you.
 

Indx TechStyle

Kitty mod
Mod
Joined
Apr 29, 2015
Messages
18,240
Likes
55,879
Country flag
Pathetic attempt to bait and derail the thread out of jealousy and inferiority complex again. Go beg to your old and new masters, Russia and USA, for ToT and maybe some day you will be able to match mighty China.
LOL, which ToT? India was denied at first place.
the contract was for delivery of blueprints for the rocket engine that ISRO would use to build its own engine; Ukrainian companies simply did not have the capability actually to construct the engine themselves. He stressed that the information would allow ISRO to build only one model of engine and reiterated the point that Yuzhnoye would not provide any engineering or technical details on how the plans had been developed.
Also this,
the contract does not foresee the delivering to the Indian Side the calculation methods used during the engine development and the appropriate software.
Indian Cryo engine was late by 10 years but a result of India's own efforts.
Go beg to your old and new masters, Russia and USA, for ToT and maybe some day you will be able to match mighty China.
Sooner you come out of your inferiority complex and portraying your masters as most ostentatious creatures in world, it'll be better for you.
What do you think? China didn't receive any help?
Do you know that how many tech waviers they received from USA?
February 15, 1996. A Chinese Long March 3B carrying a $200 million Loral satellite explodes 22 seconds after lilftoff.

March 14, 1996. President Clinton shifts control over regulating the export of communications satellites from the State Dept. which was primarily concerned with national security aspects of such exports, to the Commerce Dept., which is concerned with the economic benefits.

May 10, 1996. The Loral-led review commission investigating the February rocket explosion completes and passes on to Chinese officials its report, which according to the April 13, 1998 New York Times, discusses “sensitive aspects of the rocket’s guidance and control systems, which is an area of weakness in China’s missile programs.” The New York Times says that a Pentagon report concludes that, as a result of this technology transfer, “United States national security has been harmed”.

May 23, 1996. President Clinton calls for renewal of MFN for China, saying that renewal would not be “a referendum on all China’s policies,” but “a vote for America’s interests.”

June 8, 1996. China conducts an underground nuclear test.

July 21, 1996. Johnny Chung, according to the New York Times, brings Liu Chao-ying to two DNC fundraisers, including a $25,000 per couple dinner. Liu Chao-ying is a Lieutenant Colonel in the People’s Liberation Army and an executive at China Aerospace, which owns the Great Wall Industry Corp. that makes Long March rockets. Her father is the top commander of Chinese military forces. The New York Times says that Chung has told the Justice Dept. that Liu gave him the better part of $100,000 he contributed to the DNC in the latter part of 1996, and that the source of the money was the PLA.

July 29, 1996. China declares a moratorium on nuclear testing after conducting another nuclear test.

August 8, 1996. According to AP, Clinton meets again with Long Beach officials to advocate turning over the naval base to COSCO.

September 24, 1996. At the UN, President Clinton joins with the foreign ministers of China, France, Russia and Great Britain in signing the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty forbidding all testing of nuclear weapons.

November 5, 1996. President Clinton wins reelection. According to the Center for Responsive Politics, the single largest Democratic donor during the election cycle was Loral CEO Bernard Schwartz, who gave $632,000 in ‘soft money’ to the Democratic Party between 1995 and 1996. The State Dept. issues regulations shifting responsibility for satellite launching licenses to the Commerce Dept.

January 1997. The Panamanian government awards the contract to operate the Atlantic and Pacific ports of the Panama Canal to a Hong Kong company, Hutchison Whampoa. China takes control of Hong Kong six months later. The United States, which is set to relinquish control of the canal next year, does not protest.

March 25, 1997. While in Beijing for a meeting with Premier Li Peng and President Jiang Zemin, Vice President Gore attends signing ceremonies for Boeing’s $685 million sale of five jetliners to China’s state-owned Civil Aviation Administration as well as a $1.3 billion joint venture between General Motors and China’s state-owned Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp.

May 1997. According to the April 13, 1998 New York Times, a classified Pentagon report reveals that Hughes and Loral scientists “had turned over expertise that significantly improved the reliability of China’s nuclear missiles” following the February 1996 rocket explosion. Hughes and Loral deny the New York Times report when it is published in 1998.

May 19, 1997. President Clinton announces that he will authorize MFN renewal for China.

October 1997. Chinese President Jiang Zemin makes a state visit to the United States. During the trip, he stops at a Hughes site to discuss satellites.

January 15, 1998. After China promises that it will no longer aid Iran’s nuclear program, President Clinton certifies that China is a reliable partner for nuclear technology exchange.

February 19, 1998. Despite opposition from the Justice Dept, President Clinton signs a waiver approving the launch of a Loral satellite from a Chinese rocket and reportedly authorizing the transfer of the same type of technology that the Pentagon said had “harmed” US security and that the Justice Dept. was investigation Loral and Hughes for their illegally transferring in 1996.
The same America with same president sanctioned India in 1998.
Bhagwan ke naam per ToT deday.
(In the name of bhagwan, give us ToT)
From the mouth of a Pakistani who needs ToT for moped engine from Japan?:facepalm:
You can't even pay for IPR & copyright to them unlike India.
China se larenge, ToT deday.
(We will counter China, give us ToT) :basanti:
China received and bought much more IPRs and ToTs than India or any other country.

No matter how much you downplay it.

My little flattering friend of your "mighty China"!
:mad: next time, avoid posting with inferiority complex.
As a proud Indian this is heartbreaking but this is a fact. Isro is nothing compared to other nations. China is currently leading space exploration followed by USA and russia. Japan is planing to send robots to mars. China is going to send people to moon in FIVE YEARS. China is building a space station itself. Where are we? Sending some small satellites in low orbits. Iran, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Brazil does the same thing. We are no where near the top league of space faring nation.
Enforced by just 25% of budget,

Even after check out the official details for Cdy-2, Cdy-3, Mgy-2, Polix, Indian Jupiter & Venusian mission & asteroid by pass.

I've posted the links for official AO. just because you don't know, doesn't necessarily mean it doesn't happen.
China is going to send people to moon in FIVE YEARS.
I always knew that you were a false flagger Pakistani who can't read Hindi, this time @Martian & @J20 may educate you.

I know much more about Chinese space program than you. They are landing a rover on Mars, not going to Moon.
Iran, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Brazil does the same thing. We are no where near the top league of space faring nation.
Definition of small and big satellites is different in these countries and India.

Brazil with one light failed orbital launch became space fairing nation, what is size, generation of satellites launched by Iran & number of launches?

Pakistan and KSA launching satellites my @$$
And cue the "mine is bigger crowd".


The thread has nothing to do with India. Could we please stop the "we launched more satellites in one go" so we're better nonsense.
Nobody has chest thumped over any Indian mission here.

@Martian posted about some news from China as he always does.

Pakistanis celebrated them as their victory and flattering Chinese as they always do.

Indians started trolling them for inferiority complex as we always do.
This is common on every forum.
I hope you don't mind and enjoy your own thread.
:biggrin2:
Today, I'm boggled by continuous trolling from this false flagger and want to spank this sheep as much as I can.
Translation: Begani shadi mein abdullah diwana.
Virgin unmarried man abdullah celebrating other guys marriage wildly as if it's his.

No offense intended to Chinese but for Pakistan, we want to put out our frustation against these false flaggers like @Dark Lord.

Taiwanese (who can't speak Chinese), Americans (who can understand Hindi abuses), Chinese, Korean and even Indians.

Internet is littered with Pakistanis pretending to be someone else.
 

amoy

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 17, 2010
Messages
5,982
Likes
1,849
China's cargo spacecraft completes in-orbit refueling


China's Tianzhou-1 cargo spacecraft and Tiangong-2 space lab completed their first in-orbit refueling at 7:07 p.m. Thursday, another success of the Tianzhou-1 mission.

Mastering the technique of refueling in space will help the country to build a permanent space station.

China is the third country, besides Russia and the United States, to master refueling in space.

The in-orbit refueling, under control of technicians on Earth, takes about five days, as the propellant is transmitted from the cargo spacecraft to the space lab.

A second refueling in space will be conducted after the cargo ship's second docking with the space lab in June, which aims to test the ability of the cargo ship to dock with the space station from different directions.

In the last docking, Tianzhou-1 will use fast-docking technology. Previously, it took China about two days to dock, while fast docking will take about six hours, according to Bai Mingsheng, chief designer of the cargo ship.

Tianzhou-1, China's first cargo spacecraft, was launched on April 20 from Wenchang Space Launch Center in south China's Hainan Province.

It completed its first automated docking with the orbiting Tiangong-2 space lab on April 22.


Photo taken on April 27, 2017 shows the control center in Beijing, capital of China. China's Tianzhou-1 cargo spacecraft and Tiangong-2 space lab completed their first in-orbit refueling at 7:07 p.m. Thursday, another success of the Tianzhou-1 mission. (Xinhua/Ju Zhenhua)

The Central Military Commission (CMC) sent a congratulatory letter to the staff of China's manned space program on the success of the Tianzhou-1 mission, speaking highly of the contributions they have made to the country's space industry.

"It means a lot in realizing our unremitting space dream, and will inspire us to break new ground," the CMC said in the letter.

In 1992, the central authority approved a three-step manned space program, with the final step marking the ability to operate a permanent manned space station, which is planned to be put into orbit around 2022.

As the International Space Station is set to retire in 2024, the Chinese space station will offer a promising alternative, and China will be the only country with a permanent space station.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Neo

shiphone

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 9, 2009
Messages
2,162
Likes
2,478
Country flag
Measuring 10.6 meters long and boasting a maximum diameter of 3.35 meters, the Tianzhou-1 cargo ship has a maximum takeoff weight of 13.5 tonnes, and could carry over 6 tonnes of supplies.
it weighted aroud 12.92 tonnes this time and it took about 10 minutes for LM-7 rocket to send it into a 200.033 × 383.375km × 42.808° LEO ...

The in-orbit refueling, under control of technicians on Earth, takes about five days, as the propellant is transmitted from the cargo spacecraft to the space lab.
The refueling procedure will take 29 steps and last for several days each time.
the Lauch of LM-7 , the Docking between TG-1 and TZ-2 , the first in-orbit refueling have been done . so the main purpose of this mission is accomplished...so we could already celebrate the sucess although another two docking and refueling are planned which are extension missions...

A second refueling in s pace will be conducted after the cargo ship's second docking with the space lab in June, which aims to test the ability of the cargo ship to dock with the space station from different directions.
TZ-1 cargo ship would be ahead of TG-2 .

In the last docking, Tianzhou-1 will use fast-docking technology. Previously, it took China about two days to dock, while fast docking will take about six hours, according to Bai Mingsheng, chief designer of the cargo ship.
if this is tested , in the future manned mission would also apply this fast docking which would save time and improving the astronaunts' experience...
---------------------------
some images update about this Important mission...lol


----------------

a group of great pix recording the LM-7's transportation from Assembly workshop to launch pad, by 南海听风


 

shiphone

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 9, 2009
Messages
2,162
Likes
2,478
Country flag
http://www.unoosa.org/documents/pdf/copuos/2016/copuos2016tech20E.pdf

we have mentioned the China Aircraft Carrier Development/Construction 3-step plan in the CV-17 thread, and China Manned Space Project is also a “3-step”development strategy... this TZ-1 cargo ship mission is very important as the last item of Phase II. with the flawless performace of this mission, the 2nd step(Phase II) is able to be declared as a success and the 3rd step(Phase III) could begin from next year(2018).

QQ截图20170501211337.jpg


the last parts of Phase II plans...it's done now...

QQ截图20170501211752.jpg


Phase III........................

QQ截图20170501211716.jpg
QQ截图20170501211815.jpg

---------------------

a more detailed video about the docking process...every key time nodes were recorded in this edited clip


and more shots of the LM-7 rocket Lauch by our another Aviation photographer 白龙


 
  • Like
Reactions: Neo

Global Defence

New threads

Articles

Top