The international Space Station (ISS) is currently the only facility where you can conduct various experiments and perform the long missions stay in weightlessness. This is one of the most ambitious projects of this kind. But very soon China may launch another station in space. And the layout of this station has recently been shown to the public in the framework of the exhibition Airshow China Zhuhai.
The station will be named “Tiangong”, which translates as “heavenly Palace.” Many this word may sound familiar and indeed it is. Previously, China has sent into space the spacecraft “Tiangong-1” and “Tiangong-2” in 2011 and 2016, respectively, but with the first of them had some difficulties and had to be reduced from orbit and sink in the Pacific ocean earlier this year.
As for the new “Heavenly Palace”, the basic module has a length of 17 meters, weight 60 tons and can accommodate three astronauts. As the ISS “Tiangong” will be the ability to add new modules to extend the functionality of the station. After removing the main unit (which, incidentally, is equipped with solar panels for power) into orbit, plans to launch two more auxiliary compartments for conducting scientific experiments.
To complete the construction of the main module, and make it launch is planned in 2022. Technically, the new station will belong to China, but will open its doors for all countries-members of UN, public and private organizations. According to various Chinese media already received the plans for cooperation from companies from 27 countries. The lifetime of the station is designed for 10 years. It should also be noted that the service life of the ISS will expire in 2024. And if the Chinese start module proves successful, then China could become a monopoly in the conduct of space experiments.
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