[Commentary] On October 31, 2022, the "Mengtian" experimental module of the Chinese space station was launched at the Wenchang Space Launch Site!
[Explanation] The arrival of the "Mengtian" experimental cabin will upgrade the Chinese space station to a "three-room and two-hall". The experimental cabin is equipped with high-definition 1080p images and a 360° panoramic image system, and the effect is comparable to the voice equipment for mobile phone calls, etc." Smart Home” and even sent new sports equipment to the astronauts.
[Concurrent] Bai Hemin, deputy chief designer of the space station system of the Eighth Academy of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation
The current positioning of the "Mengtian" experimental cabin is mainly to carry out space science experiments. From a human perspective, it is a place for astronauts to work and do experiments. In addition, it also provides on-orbit exercise and exercise functions.
Because we also see that the astronauts in the sky are exercising every day, we are equipped with a resistance exercise equipment, which is a rowing machine on the ground.
[Explanation] In terms of "main business" scientific experiments, the "Mengtian" experimental cabin is the cabin with the strongest load capacity among the three cabins of the Chinese space station. It is equipped with 13 standard load cabinet stations, mainly for microgravity scientific research. It can support cutting-edge experimental projects such as fluid physics, material science, and ultra-cold atomic physics.
[Concurrent] Bai Hemin, deputy chief designer of the space station system of the Eighth Academy of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation
This time, there are 8 experimental cabinets going up with the cabin, and the other two cabinets are installed on-orbit support equipment when these experimental cabinets are running.
In the future, some standard cabinets and standard loads will be sent to the cargo ship, and they will be installed in the standard load cabinets to carry out follow-up related experiments.
[Explanation] The "Mengtian" experimental cabin is also an intelligent "space cargo cabin". Through the cargo airlock configured on the experimental cabin, small satellites can be released in orbit, and goods can be automatically entered and exited.
[Concurrent] Bai Hemin, deputy chief designer of the space station system of the Eighth Academy of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation
Because in the past, when we were doing extravehicular experiments in manned spaceflight, the load was basically taken out by the astronauts out of the cabin. The whole process was taken care of by people, and the astronauts were out of the cabin. Everyone also understands that the whole process is very complicated. , the time is also very long, and the whole consumption of resources is also a lot, we make it into the function of cargo in and out, as long as the astronauts are in the end of the cabin, they are responsible for installing the load equipment on the relevant cabinet, or take it down. All other processes can be carried out automatically according to the program.
[Explanation] After the "Mengtian" experimental module is docked and repositioned, the Chinese space station will be built into a "space home" with a T-shaped configuration.
According to the China Manned Space Engineering Office, the subsequent Chinese space station will be transferred to the application and development stage of more than ten years.
Initial plans are to launch two manned spacecraft and two cargo spacecraft each year.
[Concurrent] Bai Hemin, deputy chief designer of the space station system of the Eighth Academy of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation
We are currently designing for ten years, but from our research perspective this is the minimum.
After a few years of operation, we will conduct a health assessment of the space station. If the ten-year design period expires and the normal operation is good, the space station will continue to operate.
Reporter Wen Mengxin Ma Shuisha reports from Wenchang, Hainan
Responsible editor: [Lu Yan]