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China’s Tianzhou-1 cargo ship launched successfully

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Tianzhou-1 begins orbital refuelling test with Tiangong-2
Andrew Jones
2017/04/24

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China's first cargo spacecraft, Tianzhou-1, has begun testing the transfer of liquid propellant to the Tiangong-2 space lab in a crucial test of technologies the country needs to maintain its planned future space station.

The refuelling test in microgravity is the primary objective for the Tianzhou-1 mission, which follows successful rendezvous and docking with Tiangong-2 early on Saturday.

Refuelling tests began at 07:26 Beijing time on Sunday (23:26 UTC Saturday), monitored from the Beijing Aerospace Control Centre (BACC). The refuelling process involves 29 steps and will take five days to complete.

To allow refuelling to take place, the propellant tube and coupling components needed to be perfectly matched after docking, with a margin error of less than 1 millimetre, according to Tianzhou-1 deputy chief designer Chen Qizhong.

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Above: A rendering of Tianzhou-1 refuelling Tiangong-2 (CMSA).

The mission involving the Tianzhou and Tiangong spacecraft was designed to prove on-orbit resupply and refuelling technologies and techniques necessary for safe, long-term operation of the Chinese Space Station, which will be permanently crewed by at least three astronauts.

"After refuelling is completed, the residual propellant needs to be drained off. In order to identify security issues during the draining process, it needs to go through a number of tests and verification," Bai Mingsheng, chief designer of Tianzhou-1, told CCTV+.

New docking challenges
After Saturday's successful docking, Tianzhou-1 and Tiangong-2 will remain coupled for two months for refuelling and spacecraft control tests.

Following this period, a second docking will be conducted from a different direction, which aims to test the ability of the cargo ship to dock with a future space station from different directions.

After uncoupling once more, the two spacecraft will then orbit separately for three months, during which time the cargo spaceship will carry out space science experiments, while Tiangong-2 will restart its own science tasks.

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Above: Tianzhou-1 (right) docks with Tiangong-2 on April 22, 2017 (CCTV+).

The dockings between Tianzhou-1 and Tiangong-2 include new challenges, compared with previous missions involving Shenzhou and Tiangong vessels.

"Tianzhou-1, as a massive spacecraft, when it docks with the Tiangong-2, has higher-level requirements on the buffer ability of the docking gears and the docking's initial precision," Zou Xuemei, deputy director of Overall Plan Office of BACC, told CCTV+.

After the three-month free-flying period, the third and final docking will see Tianzhou-1 use fast-docking technology. It normally takes about two days to dock, while fast docking will take only six hours.

"When successful, such docking method can be applied to both crewed spacecraft and cargo spaceship. A shorter docking time for crewed spaceships is of great significance as it will make astronauts more comfortable," says Bai Mingsheng.

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Above: A view of the inside Tianzhou-1 and its cargo while in orbit (Framegrab/CCTV).

At the end of the five-month mission, Tianzhou-1 will be deliberately de-orbited and burn up in the Earth's atmosphere. In future missions to the CSS, Tianzhou craft will also be carrying waste from the space station.

China's largest spacecraft

Tianzhou-1 (天舟 or 'heavenly vessel') was launched via the Long March 7 (Y2) rocket from Wenchang on Thursday and is capable of carrying close to 6.5 tonnes of cargo.

With a length of 10.6 metres, a maximum diameter of 3.35m and a mass of 13 tonnes, Tianzhou-1 is China's largest spacecraft so far, designed for launch on a Long March 7 rocket to keep the CSS fuelled and its astronauts fully supplied.

As well as two tonnes of liquid propellant and oxidizer, the cargo spacecraft is also carrying both real and dummy cargo to simulate and approximate a supply mission for three astronauts.

The 8.6 tonne Tiangong-2 space lab is a small test bed for larger 20 tonne CSS modules, the first of which is expected to be launched in 2018.

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Above: Tianzhou-1 under construction (China Academy of Space Technology).


http://gbtimes.com/china/tianzhou-1-begins-orbital-refuelling-test-tiangong-2
 
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China working on technology to allow astronauts to live long-term in space
Society 26.04.2017 | 14:37

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BEIJING, 26 April (BelTA - People's Daily) - China is working on technology to allow astronauts to live long-term in space, a space station is to be established by 2022, Wang Xiang, the head of space design department of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation.

China takes another step forward towards its goal to put a space station into orbit in next five years by sending its first cargo spacecraft Tianzhou-1 on Thursday. It's an important step for China to establish its first space station by 2022. Once the space station is completed, China will become the third country along with Russia and the U.S. to master the techniques of refueling in space.

Read full text at: http://eng.belta.by/society/view/ch...nauts-to-live-long-term-in-space-100751-2017/
 
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China's first space cargo ship, the Tianzhou-1, is about to refuel the Tiangong-2 space lab for the first time, using "in-flight refueling" techniques.

The spacecraft blasted off from the Wenchang Launch Center on April 20 and successfully docked with the space lab two days later. During its two-month orbit, the cargo ship is expected to refuel the space lab three times. The refueling procedure takes 29 steps and lasts for several days each time. If the Tianzhou-1 completes its objective, China will become the third country, after Russia and the United States, to master the technique of refueling in space. Chinese engineers consider it a major breakthrough for future space station operations.

https://news.cgtn.com/news/3d41444d30597a4d/share_p.html
 
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Tianzhou 1 completes historic refueling of orbiting lab
By Xin Dingding | China Daily | Updated: 2017-04-28

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China's first cargo spacecraft Tianzhou 1 completes its first fuel resupply test with the Tiangong II space lab at 7:07 pm on Thursday in this simulated image. SCREENSHOT FROM CCTV


Tianzhou 1, China's first cargo spacecraft, has completed the country's first in-orbit refueling test with the unmanned Tiangong II space laboratory, the China Manned Space Agency said on Thursday.

Zhang Youxia, commander-in-chief of China's manned space program, called the Tianzhou 1 mission a success.

The space agency said in a news release the refueling test was a major technology breakthrough and has paved the way for China to assemble and operate a space station.

The agency also said China has become the third nation to complete in-orbit refueling technology, following Russia and the United States.

As the first of the planned three in-orbit refueling tests for Tianzhou 1, it took five days and wrapped up at 7:07 pm on Thursday.

Pang Zhihao, executive editor-in-chief of Space International magazine, said the refueling demands designers to add pipelines in the spacecraft's docking adapter and create a difference in pressure in fuel tanks of both spacecraft to transfer the fuel.

"Making sure there is no leakage of fuel is crucial," he said.

The agency said that after the first test, the two spacecraft will stay connected as they orbit Earth for about two months, and the second in-orbit refueling test will be conducted in the latter part of June.

After that, the two spacecraft will undock, and the cargo vessel will make sophisticated, automated maneuvers to circle the space lab and docking with the lab at a different site.

The two spacecraft will then fly independently about three months, and near the end of that period they will dock for a third time — a fast docking maneuver that is expected to be completed in six hours, compared with at two or more days for a typical docking — and carry out the third refueling test.

Eventually, the cargo vessel will be directed by ground control to plunge back to Earth.

The Tianzhou 1, the country's largest and heaviest spacecraft, was launched at the Wenchang Space Launch Center in Hainan province on April 20. Tiangong II has been in space since mid-September and carried two Chinese astronauts from mid-October to mid-November. It is now unmanned.

China plans to start construction of a space station around 2018 and complete it by around 2022, according to the manned space agency.

Tianzhou 1 completes historic refueling of orbiting lab
By Xin Dingding | China Daily | Updated: 2017-04-28

180373d28c101a6c99c257.jpg

China's first cargo spacecraft Tianzhou 1 completes its first fuel resupply test with the Tiangong II space lab at 7:07 pm on Thursday in this simulated image. SCREENSHOT FROM CCTV


Tianzhou 1, China's first cargo spacecraft, has completed the country's first in-orbit refueling test with the unmanned Tiangong II space laboratory, the China Manned Space Agency said on Thursday.

Zhang Youxia, commander-in-chief of China's manned space program, called the Tianzhou 1 mission a success.

The space agency said in a news release the refueling test was a major technology breakthrough and has paved the way for China to assemble and operate a space station.

The agency also said China has become the third nation to complete in-orbit refueling technology, following Russia and the United States.

As the first of the planned three in-orbit refueling tests for Tianzhou 1, it took five days and wrapped up at 7:07 pm on Thursday.

Pang Zhihao, executive editor-in-chief of Space International magazine, said the refueling demands designers to add pipelines in the spacecraft's docking adapter and create a difference in pressure in fuel tanks of both spacecraft to transfer the fuel.

"Making sure there is no leakage of fuel is crucial," he said.

The agency said that after the first test, the two spacecraft will stay connected as they orbit Earth for about two months, and the second in-orbit refueling test will be conducted in the latter part of June.

After that, the two spacecraft will undock, and the cargo vessel will make sophisticated, automated maneuvers to circle the space lab and docking with the lab at a different site.

The two spacecraft will then fly independently about three months, and near the end of that period they will dock for a third time — a fast docking maneuver that is expected to be completed in six hours, compared with at two or more days for a typical docking — and carry out the third refueling test.

Eventually, the cargo vessel will be directed by ground control to plunge back to Earth.

The Tianzhou 1, the country's largest and heaviest spacecraft, was launched at the Wenchang Space Launch Center in Hainan province on April 20. Tiangong II has been in space since mid-September and carried two Chinese astronauts from mid-October to mid-November. It is now unmanned.

China plans to start construction of a space station around 2018 and complete it by around 2022, according to the manned space agency.

Tianzhou 1 completes historic refueling of orbiting lab
By Xin Dingding | China Daily | Updated: 2017-04-28

180373d28c101a6c99c257.jpg

China's first cargo spacecraft Tianzhou 1 completes its first fuel resupply test with the Tiangong II space lab at 7:07 pm on Thursday in this simulated image. SCREENSHOT FROM CCTV


Tianzhou 1, China's first cargo spacecraft, has completed the country's first in-orbit refueling test with the unmanned Tiangong II space laboratory, the China Manned Space Agency said on Thursday.

Zhang Youxia, commander-in-chief of China's manned space program, called the Tianzhou 1 mission a success.

The space agency said in a news release the refueling test was a major technology breakthrough and has paved the way for China to assemble and operate a space station.

The agency also said China has become the third nation to complete in-orbit refueling technology, following Russia and the United States.

As the first of the planned three in-orbit refueling tests for Tianzhou 1, it took five days and wrapped up at 7:07 pm on Thursday.

Pang Zhihao, executive editor-in-chief of Space International magazine, said the refueling demands designers to add pipelines in the spacecraft's docking adapter and create a difference in pressure in fuel tanks of both spacecraft to transfer the fuel.

"Making sure there is no leakage of fuel is crucial," he said.

The agency said that after the first test, the two spacecraft will stay connected as they orbit Earth for about two months, and the second in-orbit refueling test will be conducted in the latter part of June.

After that, the two spacecraft will undock, and the cargo vessel will make sophisticated, automated maneuvers to circle the space lab and docking with the lab at a different site.

The two spacecraft will then fly independently about three months, and near the end of that period they will dock for a third time — a fast docking maneuver that is expected to be completed in six hours, compared with at two or more days for a typical docking — and carry out the third refueling test.

Eventually, the cargo vessel will be directed by ground control to plunge back to Earth.

The Tianzhou 1, the country's largest and heaviest spacecraft, was launched at the Wenchang Space Launch Center in Hainan province on April 20. Tiangong II has been in space since mid-September and carried two Chinese astronauts from mid-October to mid-November. It is now unmanned.

China plans to start construction of a space station around 2018 and complete it by around 2022, according to the manned space agency.

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Working staff celebrate at the control center in Beijing, capital of China, April 27, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua]
 
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