By 
April 30th, 2021
Credit: China Central Television (CCTV)/China National Space Administration (CNSA)/Inside Outer Space screengrab
With China launching the core module of its space station, the country’s space program officials are detailing plans for its use when fully constructed by the end of 2022.
As of now, 17 nations have confirmed their participation in nine scientific tasks on the station, with China signing agreements with the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs on space station cooperation, said Hao Chun, director of the China Manned Space Agency. “We will continue working with the UN’s outer space office to solicit proposals for future scientific collaborations,” he told China Daily.
Credit: China Central Television (CCTV)/China National Space Administration (CNSA)/Inside Outer Space screengrab
Hao also stated that there will be foreign astronauts on the Chinese station.
“A lot of foreign space organizations have told us that they hoped we could open our station to their astronauts. Some foreign astronauts have begun to learn Chinese. We will start selecting foreign participants and preparing for joint flights in due course according to the conditions on the station,” Hao said.
Credit: CGTN/Li Yueyun, Du Chenxin
T-shaped complex
The just-launched Tianhe core module is the largest spacecraft developed by China, with a total length of 16.6 meters, a maximum diameter of 4.2 meters and a take-off mass of 22.5 tons.
Credit: CGTN/Li Yueyun, Du Chenxin
When China’s space station construction is completed, the orbiting complex will be T-shaped, with the core module at the center and a lab capsule on each side. The three-module station will offer astronauts more than 100 cubic meters of room for living and working.
Meanwhile, a variety of videos have been issued by various outlets that spotlight China’s space station endeavors. Go to:
Posted in Space News
