China launches second Tiangong area station module | Engadget

China has efficiently launched the second of three modules that can finally make up its Tiangong area station. On Sunday at 2:22 PM native time (2:22 AM ET), the Wentian “Quest for the Heavens” module lifted off from the nation’s Wenchang spaceport atop a Long March 5B rocket, . With the launch a “complete success,” Wentian is predicted to rendezvous with the Tiangong area station later in the present day.

At that time, the crew of China’s will start the work of linking Wentian with the Tianhe “Harmony of Heaves” module. The latter has been in area since orbital development on Tiangong started in April 2021. Once Wentian is operational, it would function considered one of two laboratories that can kind Tiangong’s eventual t-shaped construction. Once full, the station might be a few fifth of the scale of the International Space Station, with long-term lodging for 3 astronauts.

In addition to together with area and gear for Chinese astronauts to hold out microgravity and life sciences analysis, Wentian options an airlock cabin that can function the primary entry and exit level for out of Tiangong. The module additionally has momentary residing quarters that can enable China to hold out crew handover missions. According to , the primary such handover is deliberate for later this 12 months. China plans to launch Tiangong’s last module in October. The nation is exploring the opportunity of permitting industrial area flights to go to Tiangong. It has additionally invited worldwide area companies to go to the station.

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