China will launch the second module of its Tiangong space station on 24 July. It will be the first laboratory module to be added to the space station, after the 16-metre-long core module Tianhe launched in April 2021.
The latest module, called Wentian or 鈥淨uest for the Heavens鈥�, from Hainan Island, located southwest of Hong Kong, at around 2pm local time.
鈥淎s a major spacefaring nation, China has arrived,鈥� says at the University of Hong Kong. 鈥淚t鈥檚 only the third nation after Russia and America to have a space station and this one is spanking new. It鈥檚 got all the latest technology.鈥�
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As well as the ability to perform more advanced scientific experiments in microgravity than Tianhe, Wentian will add several key features to the space station. These include a 5-metre-long robotic arm, large solar panels and an airlock, which will become the main entry and exit point for future vehicles and astronauts accessing the space station. In addition, Wentian has extra navigation and communication systems, as well as propulsion tools to reorient the space station in case Tianhe鈥檚 systems fail.
Wentian 鈥� which measures about 18 metres long and 4 metres wide, similar to Tianhe 鈥� will also serve as additional crew quarters, doubling the space station鈥檚 capacity from three to six astronauts.
Once Wentian docks with Tianhe on one end, its module will detach and reorient itself to attach to the side of Tianhe via the two modules鈥� robotic arms, forming part of the station鈥檚 eventual T-shape. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 going to be quite interesting, but it鈥檚 the kind of thing that they will have tested a lot to be confident they can do it,鈥� says at the University of Warwick, UK. Moving entire modules in space via robotic arms .
The three crew members that Tianhe can hold will then enter Wentian, activating its various life-support systems and experiments. After Wentian is fully operational, another laboratory module, Mengtian, will launch in October, marking the completion of the space station鈥檚 T-shape.
The frequency and variety of China鈥檚 recent space launches has surprised even seasoned observers. 鈥淐hina鈥檚 quietly now launching more rockets than anyone else into orbit,鈥� says Parker. 鈥淚t did it last year, it鈥檚 going to beat its own world record again this year. It鈥檚 got plans for a moon base and everything else. So you know, they鈥檙e quietly and methodically and carefully really going places in space.鈥�
One reason for an increased focus in China on domestic space policy and experiments is because of the geopolitical difficulty of collaborating on US-led missions, such as the International Space station, says Parker.
In addition to being able to do its own scientific experiments, the space station will give China greater influence over science on the international stage, says at the London Institute of Space Policy and Law.
鈥淚f, for example, another country wants to conduct human spaceflight, or wants to put an astronaut into space, they don鈥檛 have to go through the US anymore,鈥� says Beischl. As well as the US and China, Russia has also launched and operated space stations.
