Misplaced Pages

#654345

26-495: On 3 November 2022, Mengtian was relocated to the larboard port at 01:32 UTC by indexing robot arm. On the same day at 07:12 UTC, the crew of Shenzhou 14 opened the hatch and entered the module for the first time. The Mengtian module is equipped with expanded in-orbit experiment capacity, including eight research cabins. It provides a pressurized environment for researchers to conduct science experiments in freefall or zero gravity which could not be conducted on Earth for more than

52-524: A few minutes. Experiments can also be placed on the outside of the modules, for exposure to the space environment , cosmic rays , vacuum, and solar winds . It has its own airlock. The axial port of Mengtian is fitted with rendezvous equipment and will first dock to the axial port of Tianhe. A mechanical arm known as the indexing robotic arm, similar to the Lyappa arm on the Mir space station, then moves Mengtian to

78-544: A portside port of the TCM. In addition to this arm used for docking relocation, the Chinarm on Tianhe module can also be used as a backup in place of the indexing robot arm. Mengtian also carries a toolbox equipped with a dexterous robotic arm, installed to assist in cargo transfer and payload release, that can be used to launch microsatellites , and an augmented-reality smart glass to assist astronauts with maintenance. Similarly to

104-453: Is 5 times better than the Chinarm. Wentian in total has 22 standard adaptors (silver squares) to host the payloads. Wentian 's arm is primarily used to transfer experiments and other hardware outside the station. A dual-arm connector is installed on the Chinarm , providing it the capability to link with the 5-meter robotic arm, extending its reach and weight-carrying limits. Electrical power

130-489: Is provided by two steerable solar power arrays, which use photovoltaic cells to convert sunlight into electricity. With a wingspan of over 55 m (180 ft), each array has an energy collection area of 110 m (1184 square ft). The energy is then stored to power the station when it passes into the Earth's shadow. Resupply ships will replenish fuel for LCM 1 for station-keeping, to counter the effects of atmospheric drag. After launch,

156-431: Is used when docking is needed in the same plane. In addition to this arm used for docking relocation, the Chinarm on Tianhe module, could also had been used as a backup of the indexing robot arm. In addition to this, it also carried a small 5 m (16 ft) long robotic arm like the Chinarm as a supplemental to that arm. It is used for manipulating extravehicular payloads and assisting EVAs. Its positioning accuracy

182-658: The Wentian and Mengtian laboratory cabin modules, which arrived at the station in July and October 2022 respectively. During Shenzhou 14's stay aboard Tiangong, the Tianzhou 5 cargo spacecraft arrived and docked with the station. On 24 July 2022, the Wentian module launched and successfully docked with the Tianhe 's forward port. The crew of Shenzhou 14 opened the hatch and entered Wentian for

208-533: The Mengtian module in orbit. Shenzhou 14 Shenzhou 14 ( Chinese : 神舟十四号 ; pinyin : Shénzhōu Shísì-hào ; lit. 'Divine Boat Number 14') was a Chinese spaceflight to the Tiangong space station , launched on 5 June 2022. It carried three People's Liberation Army Astronaut Corps (PLAAC) taikonauts on board a Shenzhou spacecraft. The mission was the ninth crewed Chinese spaceflight and

234-507: The Tianhe Core Module (TCM). It also provides a pressurized environment for researchers to conduct science experiments in freefall or zero gravity which could not be conducted on Earth for more than a few minutes. Experiments can also be placed on the outside of the modules, for exposure to the space environment , cosmic rays , vacuum, and solar winds . The axial port of Wentian is fitted with rendezvous equipment and first docked to

260-525: The Wentian module was inserted into a low Earth orbit with an average altitude of 393 km (244 mi) at an orbital inclination of 42 degrees, centered in the Earth's thermosphere . It successfully docked with the Tianhe core module nearly thirteen hours after launch. During the re-entry phase of the Long March rocket's main core stage, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson voiced criticism for allowing

286-431: The Wentian module, electrical power is provided by two steerable solar power arrays, which use photovoltaic cells to convert sunlight into electricity. With a wingspan of over 55 m (180 ft), each array has an energy collection area of 110 m (1184 square ft). The energy is then stored to power the station when it passes into the Earth's shadow. Resupply ships will replenish fuel for LCM 2 for station-keeping, to counter

SECTION 10

#1732858581655

312-611: The Dongfeng landing site in the Gobi Desert in Inner Mongolia at 12:09 UTC. Chen Dong previously flew on Shenzhou 11 . Liu Yang previously flew on Shenzhou 9 , becoming the first Chinese woman in space. Cai Xuzhe later flew to Tiangong again as commander of Shenzhou 19 . Wentian module Wentian ( simplified Chinese : 问天 ; traditional Chinese : 問天 ; pinyin : Wèn Tiān ; lit. 'Quest for

338-653: The Heavens '), officially the Wentian laboratory cabin module ( simplified Chinese : 问天实验舱 ; traditional Chinese : 問天實驗艙 ), is a major module of the Tiangong space station . It was the first Laboratory Cabin Module launched, and the first module to extend the existing Tianhe core module of the station. It was launched into orbit from the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site on 24 July 2022, successfully docking with Tianhe forward port at 19:13 UTC on

364-612: The Shenzhou 14 spacecraft was maintained in a state of near-readiness if needed as a lifeboat for the Shenzhou 13 crew. The crew of Shenzhou 14 was announced on 4 June 2022. The flight launched from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center on 5 June 2022 at 02:44 UTC, following the launch of the Tianzhou 4 cargo resupply spacecraft. Just under 7 hours after launch, the spacecraft docked with the Tianhe core module 's nadir docking port. The crew entered

390-468: The axial port of Tianhe. A mechanical arm dubbed, as Indexing robotic arm, looking as a sort of Lyappa arm used on the Mir space station moved the module to a starboard port of the TCM on 30 September 2022. It is different from the Lyappa as it works on a different mechanism. Mir's Lyappa arm is needed to control the pitch of the spacecraft and redocking in a different plane, but the Wentian indexing robot arm

416-406: The effects of atmospheric drag. After launch, the Mengtian module was inserted into a low Earth orbit with an average altitude of 393 km (244 mi) at an orbital inclination of 42 degrees, centered in the Earth's thermosphere . It successfully docked with the Tianhe core module nearly thirteen hours after launch. The Shenzhou 14 mission to the space station assisted with setting up

442-432: The first time on 25 July 2022 at 02:03 UTC, to perform an inspection of the module. Wentian was later repositioned to Tianhe 's starboard port, its final location. On 31 October 2022, the Mengtian module launched and successfully docked with Tianhe 's forward port, and was repositioned to Tianhe 's port-side port on 3 November 2022. Following Mengtian 's reposition, the crew opened the hatch and entered Mengtian for

468-414: The first time on 3 November 2022 at 07:12 UTC to inspect the module's interior. On 1 September 2022, the first scheduled spacewalk of Shenzhou 15 was carried out by Chen Dong and Liu Yang, with Liu Yang becoming the second Chinese woman to carry out a spacewalk. The two exited the airlock of the Wentian lab module and completed a series of tasks, including installing an extended pump set on the exterior of

494-412: The fourteenth flight overall of the Shenzhou program . Shenzhou 14 was the third spaceflight to the Tiangong space station , and the second with a planned duration of six months (180 days). Shenzhou 14 would also mark the beginning of Tiangong being permanently inhabited, with Shenzhou 14 departing after the arrival of Shenzhou 15 , and the same being done on subsequent expeditions. Prior to launch,

520-440: The installation of foot restraints and extravehicular workbenches with support from the station's small robotic arm, performed further work on the extended pump set, and further verified EVA emergency rescue procedures. The spacewalk lasted for 4 hours and 12 minutes. On 17 November 2022, the third spacewalk was carried out by Chen Dong and Cai Xuzhe through the airlock of the Wentian lab module, with Liu Yang once again assisting

546-437: The pair from inside the Tianhe core module. Chen and Cai installed an inter-chamber connection device between Tianhe and Mengtian , raised panoramic A on Wentian , and installed a small mechanical arm power-assisted handle. The spacewalk lasted for 5 hours and 34 minutes. On 12 October 2022 at 4:01 PM China Standard Time (08:01 UTC), the crew of Shenzhou 14 conducted a live "space lecture" broadcast. The "main classroom"

SECTION 20

#1732858581655

572-472: The same day. On 25 July 2022 at 02:03 UTC, the crew of Shenzhou 14 opened the hatch and entered the module for the first time. Wentian was later relocated to the starboard port on 30 September 2022 at 04:44 UTC by the indexing robot arm to make way for the Mengtian module The Wentian laboratory module provides additional navigation avionics, propulsion and orientation control as backup functions for

598-566: The stage to return to the Earth in an uncontrolled re-entry. The stage eventually made re-entry and splashed down over the Pacific Ocean on 30 July 2022, with the bulk of it burning up on re-entry and no known pieces that survived re-entry causing damage. The Shenzhou 14 mission to the space station assisted with setting up the Wentian module in orbit. Wentian has an airlock primarily used for conducting spacewalks . It features more space than

624-404: The station later the same day at 12:50 UTC. During the mission, the Shenzhou 15 spacecraft remained on standby to serve as an emergency rescue vehicle. The Shenzhou 14 crew carried out three spacewalks, worked on payloads both inside and outside the station, and carried out other scientific work during the six-month mission. The crew also oversaw the expansion of Tiangong with the addition of

650-424: The station, raising panoramic camera B, installing a workbench, and demonstrating procedures for an emergency return to the airlock. The spacewalk lasted for 6 hours and 7 minutes. On 17 September 2022, the second scheduled spacewalk was carried out by Chen Dong and Cai Xuzhe through the airlock of the Wentian lab module, with Liu Yang assisting the pair from inside the Tianhe core module. Chen and Cai completed

676-579: Was located in Beijing , with "branch classrooms" in Zhengzhou , Heze , and Dali . During the lecture, Chen Dong and Liu Yang introduced the functions of the Wentian module and conducted scientific experiments as part of a science lesson while Cai Xuzhe filmed. After the lesson, the taikonauts were given time to answer schoolchildren's questions from the classrooms. Shenzhou 14 returned to Earth on 4 December 2022, undocking from Tiangong at 03:01 UTC and landing at

#654345