AN AMBITIOUS SPACE PROGRAMME

China Launches Second Module Of Tiangong Space Station

Tiangong Space Station

the latest step towards an ambitious space program, China has launched the second (Wentian) of three modules needed to complete its new space station so called the Tiangong space station, propelled by the country's most powerful rocket — the Long March 5B — from the Wenchang launch centre on China's southern island of Hainan at 2:22 p.m. (0822 CET). The lab module disengaged from the carrier rocket and blasted off into its predetermined orbit after about eight minutes. The launch mission was deemed a complete success by the China Manned Space Agency (CMS).

The Long March 5B

On the back of China's most potent rocket, the Long March 5B, was launched the 23-ton Wentian ("Quest for the Heavens") laboratory module. Along with the third module, Mengtian ("Dreaming of the heavens"), which hasn't yet been launched, astronauts will conduct scientific experiments in the 17.9-meter-long Wentian lab module. When the space station is finished, the airlock cabin that is included with the Wentian module will serve as the primary exit and entry point for activities. Additionally, it will be utilised by astronauts as a temporary residence during station crew rotations. 

Performace of Wentian

 Wentian would now have to perform a difficult manoeuvre to dock with the already-existing module in space. According to experts, the procedure would call for the employment of a robotic arm and multiple highly precise movements. The recently launched module will also act as a fallback control system for the space station in the event of a malfunction. Beijing hopes to have Tiangong fully operating by the end of the year. It should remain functional for at least ten years. The "space dream" of China has received significant support under President Xi Jinping. The president's ten years as the head of the dominant Communist Party are likewise expected to come to an end with the completion of the new space station.

Mission Associated with Wenitan’s trtip

There are several missions associated with Wentian's trip to the China Space Station. It begins with a full rendezvous, followed by docking and a transposition manoeuvre. Also, serving as a backup for the control and management center, it can cover all task requirements needed for the space station assembly. By enabling their extravehicular activities, it will also improve the safety of taikonauts and offer a platform for space-based scientific research. Under normal circumstances, the taikonauts would not need to assist with the docking operation and could go about their regular business. The ground command team will only give the remote control to the workers on board the station for manual operations when an emergency occurs within proximity to the space station.

Preparation for Wentian

To prepare for Wentian, China sent the three-person Shenzhou 14 crew to Tiangong in JuneThe third and final lab module for the station, Mengtian, is scheduled to launch on a Long March 5B in October. The Tiangong space station will be finished and take on the shape of a T once the final module has docked. There are some uncertainties over the location of the massive Long March 5B rocket's landing after delivering Wentian. In contrast to most others, this type of rocket safely releases its final stages into the ocean belowIt launches its complete first stage into low-Earth orbit to deliver its payload, and when it crashes to Earth, there is no way to divert or alter its motion. In 2020, the rocket was held liable for the metal shards that wound up in Côte d'Ivoire. In addition, after delivering the Tianhe core module to space the previous year, it conducted an unplanned landing into the Indian Ocean.