Leonard David's INSIDE OUTER SPACE

CCTV Video News Agency/Inside Outer Space screengrab

The next step in China’s building of its space station arrived Monday at the launch site in the southern island province of Hainan.

China’s Long March-7 Y5 rocket will loft the automated Tianzhou-4 cargo craft to the country’s orbiting facility. The rocket, alongside the Tianzhou-4 cargo craft, is now at the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site, where it will be assembled and tested, announced the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA).

Facilities at the launch site are in good condition, added CMSA, and preparations for all systems involved in the mission are proceeding smoothly.

Artistic image of China’s Tianzhou-2 cargo spacecraft.
Credit: CMS/China Academy of Space Technology

Shenzhou-14

According to China Central Television (CCTV), the Tianzhou-4 cargo vessel is set to deliver supplies for the upcoming Shenzhou-14 piloted mission that will send another three Chinese astronauts to the space station following the Shenzhou-13 crew’s return to Earth in mid-April.

China’s Tianzhou-2 cargo spacecraft was deorbited in a controlled manner, re-entering the Earth’s atmosphere on March 31. The Tianzhou-2 was the first cargo spacecraft sent to the station, loaded with nearly 7 tons of supplies.

Shenzhou-13 crew members.
Credit: CNS/Inside Outer Space screengrab

China’s currently orbiting Shenzhou-13 crew — Zhai Zhigang, Wang Yaping and Ye Guangfu — arrived in the core module of the in-construction Tiangong station on October 16, 2021 embarking on their six-month journey – the longest-ever duration in the country’s human spaceflight program.

Upcoming launches

The Tianzhou-4 supply ship is one of six launches that will be made this year to wrap up piecing together the Chinese space station:

• Shenzhou-14 and the Shenzhou-15 piloted missions
• Tianzhou 4 and 5 robotic cargo spaceships for refueling and resupply operations
• Two large space labs to dock with the station: Wentian, or Quest for the Heavens, and Mengtian, or Dreaming of the Heavens

China’s space station to be completed by end of 2022.
Credit: CCTV/Inside Outer Space screengrab

Upon its completion at the end of this year, Tiangong will consist of three main components: a core module attached to two space labs. The facility will have a combined weight of nearly 70 metric tons.

The Tiangong station is scheduled to operate for 15 years in low-Earth orbit.