China's soon-to-be-lofted space lab module - Tiangong-2. Credit: CCTV

China’s soon-to-be-lofted space lab module – Tiangong-2.
Credit: CCTV

Preparations are in full swing in China for the soon-to-launch second space lab, Tiangong-2, atop its carrier booster – the CZ-2F.

A joint drill has just been completed at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China.

Xu Peng, head of command and control station at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center explains that “today’s joint drill mainly aims to make sure all systems match, coordinate and stay accurate and compatibly.”

Launch complex embraces Tiangong-2, atop its carrier booster – the CZ-2F. Credit: CCTV-Plus

Launch complex embraces Tiangong-2, atop its carrier booster – the CZ-2F.
Credit: CCTV-Plus

Simulated flight

As reported by CCTV-Plus, the drill lasted three and a half hours. The launch exercise featured a simulated flight of the carrier rocket. All six systems including the control room, the experiment system and the rocket system, participated in the drill procedures. The simulated flight went through various procedures that will be conducted in 580 seconds before the launch.

Chinese space officials have said that the Tiangong-2 will be put into space between September 15 – 20th. Before launch day, more tests will be carried out at the center.

Day or nighttime takeoff?

“We are performing functional test of the system, which aims to check whether products on the rocket and all functions of the cable system are working normally after the rocket was transferred from the technical area to the launch pad,” adds Tan Hongyi, director of the CZ-2F carrier rocket system.

Launch crews complete a mock-run of the launch of China's second space lab. Credit: CCTV-Plus

Launch crews complete a mock-run of the launch of China’s second space lab.
Credit: CCTV-Plus

Whether the launch will occur in the daytime or at night has not been decided, but ground technicians are ensuring the proper functioning of a lighting system at the launch complex.

Space station technologies

Tiangong-2 serves as a lab in space for testing systems and processes for mid-term space stays and refueling. It will also be involved in experiments on aerospace medicine, space sciences, in-orbit maintenance and space station technologies.

Artist's concept of the Tiangong-1 in Earth orbit. A Tiangong-2 is being readied for liftoff between September 15-20. Credit: CMSA

Artist’s concept of the Tiangong-1 in Earth orbit. A Tiangong-2 is being readied for liftoff between September 15-20.
Credit: CMSA

After the successful orbiting of Tiangong-2, a two-person Shenzhou 11 crew will link up with the space lab in October for an expected month in Earth orbit. The all-male crew has not yet been named.

China’s first space lab, the still-orbiting Tiangong-1, was launched in September 2011 and ended its data service earlier this year. It was visited by Shenzhou-8, Shenzhou-9 and Shenzhou-10 spacecraft.

For video showing the just-concluded simulation of launching Tiangong-2, go to:

http://pv.news.cctvplus.com/2016/0911/8031873_Preview_1473599765994.mp4

http://pv.news.cctvplus.com/2016/0911/8031865_Preview_1473588907911.mp4

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