China's space station construction takes the


first step in stability (expert interpretation)

　　According to the website of the British "Financial Times", on April 29, the Long March 5B Yao-2 rocket ignited and lifted off at the Wenchang Space Launch Site in Hainan, and accurately sent the manned space engineering space station Tianhe core module into a predetermined orbit.

China plans to implement 11 space missions, and the launch of the Tianhe core module is the first in a series of missions.

This space station will be in orbit for at least 10 years and will accommodate three astronauts for up to six months of missions.

Chinese astronauts are expected to go to the space station this summer.

The picture shows the Long March 5B Yao-2 carrier rocket lifted off from the Wenchang Space Launch Site in China.

Photo by China News Agency reporter Luo Yunfei

　　According to the website of the Spanish newspaper “Nation”, the successful launch of the core module of the Chinese space station named “Tianhe” means that China’s ambitious space program has taken the latest step.

China plans to use its self-built space station to test key technologies dedicated to exploring outer space and researching and developing space materials.

China emphasizes that the independent construction of the space station is not to compete with the International Space Station. China is open to international cooperation in the aerospace field.

In fact, China has already cooperated with the United Nations and welcomes foreign researchers to enter these facilities to carry out experimental work.

　　The Long March 5 B-series carrier rockets mainly perform space station missions.

The Chinese space station is named "Tiangong" and has a T-shaped configuration as a whole. There are 3 cabins-a core cabin and 2 experiment cabins. The core cabin is in the middle, and experiment cabin I and experiment cabin II are respectively connected to both sides.

　　On April 29, the Long March 5B Yao-2 rocket accurately sent the Tianhe core module into the predetermined orbit.

Later, the Long March 5 B-series rockets will also launch the experimental modules-"Wentian" and "Mengtian" into space, and complete the docking with the core modules of Tianhe, until a complete space station is completed.

According to the plan, China will continue to implement 11 launch missions this year and next, including 3 space station cabin launches, 4 cargo spacecraft launches, and 4 manned spacecraft launches.

This time, the Tianhe core module entered the scheduled orbit with extremely high accuracy, which will provide great convenience for the smooth execution of the subsequent series of docking tasks.

　　The construction of the space station is the third step in the "three-step" development strategy of China's manned space project.

The successful launch of the Tianhe core module indicates that the construction of the Chinese space station has entered the full implementation stage.

In fact, every step of the successful advancement of manned space projects is inseparable from a carrier rocket with continuous iteration of technology.

　　In recent years, China's new-generation carrier rockets have achieved world-renowned achievements in development, launch, and operation, which have greatly improved China's ability to enter and explore space.

Compared with the previous generation of launch vehicles, the new generation of launch vehicles has significant advantages: First, the carrying capacity has been doubled, the single low-Earth orbit carrying capacity has been increased from the original 8 tons to 25 tons, and the geosynchronous transfer orbit capacity has been increased from 5.6. The ton level has been upgraded to 14 ton level, which ranks among the top in the world. Second, the task execution adaptability, orbit accuracy, reliability and safety have been continuously enhanced, which has significantly improved the ability to explore further space.

In July and November 2020, a new generation of carrier rockets successively successfully combined China’s first autonomous interstellar exploration of the "Tianwen-1" Mars rover and the implementation of the ultimate goal of the three phases of orbiting, landing, and returning to the moon, "Chang'e-5". The lunar probe was successfully launched into space; thirdly, the fuel used by the launch vehicle adopts high-energy green liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen combined cryogenic propellant, which not only achieves a substantial increase in performance and efficiency, but also is environmentally friendly, non-toxic, and is also harmful to the human body and the earth environment. More friendly.

　　Although the new generation of carrier rockets provides strong support for China's aerospace industry to move into deep space, it still cannot meet China's huge demand for more far-reaching interstellar exploration.

Now that the Tianhe core module is lifted into the sky, it is equivalent to China's first step towards the construction of an autonomous space station.

According to the plan of China's aerospace industry, future space exploration missions put forward higher requirements for the technological innovation capabilities of space tools such as rockets and satellites.

The vast number of Chinese astronauts will continue to work hard to carry out more technology research and development work in a down-to-earth manner.

　　Thanks to China's increasing comprehensive national strength since the reform and opening up, China's independent research and development capabilities in the aerospace field have significantly improved, and its level of intelligence ranks among the world's top.

As far as the construction of the space station is concerned, the China Space Station is self-contained, achieving all localization of products, all parts and components, all raw materials, and 100% independent control of key core components.

　　In terms of international cooperation, China has always insisted on advancing international cooperation with an open and inclusive attitude to promote the exploration and peaceful use of outer space.

For example, it has successfully carried out space life science experiments with relevant countries, actively cooperated with other countries in satellite research and development and launch, and shared the results of lunar exploration and Mars exploration... China's attitude and actions in the peaceful use of outer space are winning more and more countries. Recognition and praise.

　　The results of space exploration belong to all mankind.

China's aerospace progress has also provided a powerful boost to global space science.

In the future, after the completion of the Chinese space station, it can accommodate astronauts from all over the world and carry out international cooperation in manned spaceflight.

With the continuous improvement of China's aerospace capabilities, more and more like-minded countries will be attracted to participate in international cooperation in outer space exploration.

　　(Reporter Jia Pingfan interviewed and compiled)

　　Jia Pingfan