Tianzhou 7 arrives in Wenchang! Expected to launch in January 2024
Recently, after completing the work related to leaving the factory, the “Tianzhou 7” cargo spacecraft has arrived at the Wenchang Space Launch Site in Hainan Province, China, People’s Republic of China. Subsequent final assembly, testing and other work will be carried out as planned. Preparations for the launch site for the next cargo supply mission are underway as planned. Expand.
It is expected that in January 2024, the “Tianzhou-7” cargo spacecraft will be launched by the “Long March 7” Yao-8 carrier rocket. The spacecraft will ascend using the rapid rendezvous and docking mode and dock behind the “Tianhe” core module of the Chinese Space Station. Send a new batch of cargo supplies to the port for the “God Seventeen” mission. Before the “Tianzhou-7” spacecraft goes up, the “Tianzhou-6” spacecraft will unlock and separate from the rear port of the “Tianhe” core module, freeing up the docking port for the former.
The “Tianzhou-7” cargo spacecraft is the second in a new batch of “Tianzhou” spacecraft. This batch has developed and produced six spacecrafts, “Tianzhou-6” to “Tianzhou-11”. Compared with the “Tianzhou-5” spacecraft in the previous batch, the “Tianzhou-7” spacecraft has undergone system upgrades and greatly improved the cargo compartment. The cabin volume has increased by 20% and the transportation capacity has increased by about 500. Kilogram, the maximum transport capacity has been increased from the previous 6.9 tons to about 7.4 tons, and the materials provided to astronauts will be able to support longer missions. Based on the increase in transportation capacity, the launch density of the space station mission “Tianzhou” cargo spacecraft has been adjusted from the previous 2 times/1 year to 3 times/2 years, with an average of one launch mission every 8 months, and the subsequent launch density will be further reduced.
“Tianzhou-6”
Tianzhou-6″
The “Tianzhou-7” cargo spacecraft adopts a dual-cabin tandem configuration, with a propulsion cabin and a cargo cabin from bottom to top. The total length of the spacecraft is 10.6 meters, the maximum diameter of the main body (cargo compartment) is 3.35 meters, the dry mass is 6.5 tons, the maximum upward transport capacity is 7.4 tons, and the cargo-cargo ratio reaches 0.53. The “Tianzhou” improved cargo spacecraft is the spacecraft with the strongest transportation capacity, the highest cargo load ratio, and the most comprehensive on-orbit support capabilities among the world’s active cargo spacecraft.
Since the establishment of the space station, the launch missions of China’s manned space project have entered a normalized stage, with 2 manned launch missions and 1 to 2 cargo launch missions being carried out on a regular basis every year. According to the plan, China’s manned space program will carry out four launch missions in 2024: “Tianzhou 7”, “Shenzhou 18”, “Tianzhou 8” and “Shenzhou 19”. Among them, “Tianzhou 7” “No. 1” mission will take the lead.
On the 10th May 2023 Hour Hong- Kong SAR – Beijing time CNSA –China National Space Administration On May 10th 2023 , the combination of the Long March 7 Yao 7 carrier rocket and 天舟六号the Advance cargo spacecraft was vertically at the Wenchang Space Launch Site, Hainan Province China, Peoples Republic of China.. Launch successfully At 21:22 on May 10, 2023, Beijing time, the Long March 7 Yao 7 carrier rocket carrying the Tianzhou 6 cargo spacecraft was ignited and launched at the Wenchang Space Launch Site in China, about 10 minutes Finally, the Tianzhou-6 cargo spacecraft was successfully separated from the rocket and entered the predetermined orbit. After that, the solar panels of the spacecraft started working smoothly, and the launch was a complete success. In the future, the Tianzhou-6 cargo spacecraft will rendezvous and dock with the orbiting space station assembly.
天舟六号# The Tianzhou-6 cargo spacecraft is loaded with materials such as consumables, propellants, and application (test) test devices for six Takionauts on Shenzhou 16 and Shenzhou 17. In order to improve the cargo transportation capacity, the Tianzhou-6 cargo spacecraft for this mission has been optimized and improved, and the cargo spacecraft launch requirement has been optimized from 2 times a year to 3 times in 2 years, effectively reducing transportation costs. In addition, the spacecraft is also equipped with projects such as the experimental satellite of Dalian University of Technology.
This mission is the first mission of my China, People’s Republic of China’s manned spaceflight project to enter the application and development stage of the space station. It is the 28th launch mission since the project was approved and implemented, and it is also the 472nd flight of the Long March series of launch vehicles.
Last night, the Tianzhou-6 cargo spacecraft was successfully launched at the Wenchang Space Launch Site. Many of the thousands whom watched were there to take pictures of the rocket and feel the shock of the launch. The variety of goods this time is very rich, mainly including clothing, food, drinking water, etc. The fresh fruit weighs 71 kilograms, which is about twice the weight of the fruit carried by Tianzhou 5. The Takionauts on Shenzhou 15 will be able to unpack the express delivery soon.
Docking completed! 天舟六号waiting for the fifteenth crew to pick up the goods….. The Tianzhou-6 cargo spacecraft successfully completed the status setting after entering orbit, and successfully docked with the core module of the space station Tianhe at 5:16 on May 11, 2023, Beijing time backward port. After the rendezvous and docking is completed, Tianzhou-6 will transfer to the combined flight segment. In the future, the crew of the Shenzhou 15 astronauts will enter the Tianzhou 6 cargo spacecraft to carry out cargo transfer and other related work as planned.
天舟六号 Expanded capacity by 20%, with a loading capacity of 7.4 tons. It is different from the previous Tianzhou series of cargo spacecraft. After upgrading, the effective loading volume of Tianzhou-6 has been expanded by 20%. The cargo capacity has been increased from 6.9 tons to 7.4 tons. Ton is currently one of the cargo spaceships with the strongest cargo capacity in the world. Compared with the original cargo compartment that still had some unsealed compartments, Tianzhou-6 now transfers the equipment in the unsealed section to the propulsion compartment, and the transportation space in the sealed compartment has been greatly improved. The effective loading volume has increased from 18.1 cubic meters. Upgrading to 22.5 cubic meters is equivalent to an expansion of 20%
Tianzhou-6 cargo spacecraft and space station assembly completed rendezvous and docking After the Tianzhou-6 cargo spacecraft entered orbit, the state setting was successfully completed. At, it was successfully docked behind the Tianhe core module of the space station o the port. After the rendezvous and docking is completed, Tianzhou-6 will transfer to the combined flight segment. In the future, the crew of the Shenzhou 15 Takionauts will enter the Tianzhou 6 cargo spacecraft to carry out cargo transfer and other related work as planned.
Tianzhou-6 carries the “Dalian 1-Lianli” 12U remote sensing cube Satellite The first satellite in Liaoning Province designed and developed by the research team of the School of Aeronautics and Astronautics of the Department of Transport Engineering and Mechanics of Dalian University of Technology-“Dalian 1- Lianli” satellite, carrying #天舟六号# cargo spacecraft, flew into space last night, officially starting the journey of asking the sky.
Dalian 1-Lianli satellite is a 12U high-resolution earth remote sensing cube star with a mass of 17kg. Its main functions are to verify high-resolution remote sensing imaging, domestically-made high-reliability OpenHarmony operating system, advanced satellite components and 3D printing technology A series of innovative technologies such as the ultra-light deployer.
According to Professor Xia Guangqing, chief designer of the satellite and dean of the School of Aeronautics and Astronautics of the Department of Vehicle Engineering and Mechanics, the main payload of the Dalian-1-Lianli satellite is a high-resolution multispectral camera. On-orbit low-cost sub-meter-level high-resolution ocean/earth observation. The use of the OpenHarmony operating system and the comprehensive solution of domestic processing chips greatly improves the performance and reliability of the system. Different from the hydrazine-type toxic propellants used in traditional satellite attitude and orbit control power systems, this satellite uses an innovative hydroxylamine nitrate (HAN) single-component module propulsion system, which is green, non-toxic, high energy, low power consumption, Features such as pre-packaging have greatly improved the rapid maneuverability of micro-nano satellites in orbit.
Before the rocket launch, the satellites are installed outside the spacecraft by Ultralight Multiple Satellites Deployers (UMSD). “The deployer’s highly reliable memory alloy unlocking device, high-performance temperature control and temperature collection circuit, satellite power supply charging circuit, and telemetry data acquisition circuit and other functional units can overcome the problems caused by space factors such as high and low temperature, thermal vacuum, and atomic oxygen corrosion. It is difficult to ensure the reliability of long-term on-orbit storage and release of satellites.” Professor Yu Xiaozhou, the commander-in-chief of the satellite, introduced.
Relevant teams from universities such as Tsinghua University and Wuhan University, as well as companies such as Chang Guang Satellite, Xingzhong Space, Tianyin Interstellar, Hangsheng Satellite, Fuchang Space, Differential Aerospace, Bright, and Aerospace Yuxing participated in the satellite project. According to the plan, after the rendezvous and docking of the Tianzhou-6 cargo spacecraft and the space station, it will choose an opportunity to release the Dalian-1-Lianli satellite. After that, the 7.3mX frequency band ground measurement and control station of Dalian University of Technology will cooperate with the satellite to realize the measurement and control operation of task uplink….
According to the China Manned Space Engineering Office, at around 13th May 2023 8 o’clock this morning Hong Kong SAR-Beijing, the crew of Shenzhou 15 astronauts opened the hatch of Tianzhou 6 cargo spacecraft, and carried out cargo transfer as planned. And other related work. This morning, the pictures taken by the camera in the Tianzhou-6 cabin and other cameras were sent back from space. Tianzhou 6
🔷Tianzhou-6 is loaded with in-orbit consumables for the six Takionauts of Shenzhou 16 and Shenzhou 17, propellants, application experiments and test devices required by the space station, with a total weight of more than 7 tons.
🔷The cell uplink life support device was installed on the Tianzhou-6 cargo ship 5 hours before launch, because it requires high time and temperature, which is also the first thing the astronauts deal with. The astronauts opened the door of the Tianzhou-6 cabin, and after completing the necessary tests and procedures, immediately transferred them to the biotechnology experiment cabinet in the Wentian capsule.
🔷In addition, the astronauts transported by Tianzhou-6 this time have more types of consumables in orbit, mainly including clothing, food, drinking water, etc. Among them, the weight of fresh fruit is about 70 kilograms, which is about Tianzhou-5. No. Carries twice the weight of fruit. These fruits will at the same time ensure the food needs of the crew of Shenzhou 15 on the Chinese space station and the crew of Shenzhou 16 Takionauts who are about to enter the Chinese space station.
On the 7th May 2023 Hour Hong- Kong SAR – Beijing time CNSA –China National Space Administration On May 7, the combination of the Long March 7 Yao 7 carrier rocket and 天舟六号the Advance cargo spacecraft was vertically transferred to the launch area. At present, the facilities and equipment at the Wenchang Space Launch Site, Hainan Province China, Peoples Republic of China.. Both vehicles are in good condition, and various functional inspections and joint tests before launch will be carried out as planned, and the launch is planned to be carried out in the near future.
At 8 o’clock in the morning Hong Kong SAR- Beijing time , the mobile launch platform carrying the combination of the Chang Zheng- Long March 7 Yao 7 carrier rocket and the Tianzhou 6 cargo spacecraft drove out of the final assembly and testing workshop and headed for the launch area. The launch team accompanied the ship-arrow assembly to complete a transfer distance of about 3 kilometers. The preliminary calculation of the ignition time of the Long March 7 Yao 7 carrier rocket 天舟六号 cargo spacecraft is expected Hong Kong SAR- Beijing time on May 10th at 21:22:40 (±20s)]
The Long March 7 carrier rocket is a new generation of high-reliability, high-safety, green and pollution-free medium-sized carrier rocket in my country. It adopts a “two-and-a-half-stage” configuration, with a core stage diameter of 3.35 meters, bundled with 4 boosters, and a low-earth orbit carrying capacity. Up to 14 tons…..
Tianzhou-6 ship and arrow assembly transferred to the launch area] Jiang Zhou, commander of the structural system of the Long March 7 launch vehicle of the Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation: Our engine system has proposed a plan to enhance the structural reliability. This time It was used for the first time on our Chang Zheng-Long March 7 Yao 7 Carrier rocket. The process of our release has been reduced from 27 days to 25 days, mainly for the purpose of process optimization through the combination of some tests and the parallel operation of the process…. Since its first flight in 2016, the Long March-7 carrier rocket has carried out five Tianzhou series cargo spacecraft launch missions, with a success rate of 100%. The test and launch process of the Long March 7 Yao 7 rocket was shortened from 27 days to 25 days! The first improved Tianzhou cargo ship 天舟六号 Tianzhou 5 has a total length of 10.6m and a total weight of 13.5t. The internal effective loading volume has increased by about 20% compared with the previous one. The cargo capacity has increased from 6.9t to 7.4t, and it carries 1.75t Propellant (approximately 700kg is used for refilling), transporting goods including clothing, food, drinking water, etc., including approximately 70kg of fresh fruit (approximately twice that of Tianzhou-5)Images and visuals are from their Respectives CMS China Manned SpaceCNSA-China National Space Administration
On the 13th April 2023 Hour Hong- Kong SAR – Beijing time CNSA –China National Space Administration The Chang Zheng – Long March 7 Y7 Carrier Rocket has safely arrived at the Wenchang Space Launch Site on April 13, and will carry out final assembly and testing at the launch site together with the #天舟六号# cargo spacecraft that arrived earlier work, which is currently expected to launch around May 10……. On the 24th April 2023 the Advance Cargo Spacecraft #天舟六号Tianzhou 6 has been transferred to the filling and buckling factory building# All the uplink cargo packages and carrying stars of the cargo spacecraft have now been loaded. , The spacecraft was transferred vertically to the filling and cover workshop yesterday, ready to carry out the work of propellant filling and ship cover fitting. …..At present, there is still about half a month before the launch of the Tianzhou-6 cargo ship by the Long March-7 Yao-7 rocket.
天舟六号 Tianzhou 6 On the morning of May 6th 2023, the Xichang Launch Center organized the scientific and technological personnel of the center, the Long March 7 Yao Seven launch vehicle test team and the 天舟6号 cargo spacecraft test team to hold the Tianzhou 6 flight mission decisive battle oath meeting , to encourage all aerospace workers to keep in mind the expectations and entrustments, to bear in mind the care and love, with the fullest political enthusiasm, the firmest will, and the most meticulous organization and implementation, to resolutely win the first victory in the application and development stage of the space station, and to make a new contribution to building a space power greater contribution.
The leaders of the cooperative units participating in the conference include Meng Gang, the commander-in-chief of the Long March 7 rocket of the First Aerospace Science and Technology Group, Cheng Tangming, the chief engineer of the model, Feng Yong, the chief commander of the Tianzhou Cargo Spaceship of the Fifth Academy, Li Zhihui, the deputy chief engineer of the model, and Li Zhihui, the deputy chief engineer of the Tianzhou No. 6 cargo ship of the Eighth Academy. Ding Tongcai, captain of the spacecraft test team, Chen Qizhong, deputy chief engineer of the model, Lu Congmin, deputy chief engineer of the space application system of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Yin Rui, deputy chief commander of the astronaut system of the Astronaut Center.
The conference kicked off with the majestic and passionate national anthem. After the “Tianzhou-6 Flight Mission Decisive Order”, the representatives of the participating units issued letters and expressed their determination in turn. The majestic power of “upstairs”.
In the process of mission preparation, the Wenchang launch site considers that this mission is the first mission in the application and development stage of the space station, and it is also the first mission of the improved Tianzhou cargo spacecraft. It is required to always adhere to the unified leadership of the party committee on space launch missions and comprehensively identify major technical status changes. , Test project optimization and other important and difficult issues, focus on strengthening the concept of quality of life, political quality, character quality and quality, and infuse the awareness of “manned spaceflight, human life is at stake” into every system and every post…
On the 13th April 2023 Hour Hong- Kong SAR – Beijing time CNSA –China National Space Administration The Chang Zheng – Long March 7 Y7 Carrier Rocket has safely arrived at the Wenchang Space Launch Site on April 13, and will carry out final assembly and testing at the launch site together with the #天舟六号# cargo spacecraft that arrived earlier work, which is currently expected to launch around May 10……. On the 24th April 2023 the Advance Cargo Spacecraft #天舟六号Tianzhou 6 has been transferred to the filling and buckling factory building# All the uplink cargo packages and carrying stars of the cargo spacecraft have now been loaded. , The spacecraft was transferred vertically to the filling and cover workshop yesterday, ready to carry out the work of propellant filling and ship cover fitting. …..At present, there is still about half a month before the launch of the Tianzhou-6 cargo ship by the Long March-7 Yao-7 rocket.
When the Tianzhou Cargo Spacecraft arrived at Wenchang Spacecraft launch center on April 13, and the follow-up will be in line with the previous stage The Tianzhou-6 cargo spacecraft that has previously arrived will carrying out the final assembly and testing work in the launch site area together. The manned spaceflight project entered the application and development stage of the space station. All the participants of the project are stepping up their preparations and vowing to make the mission a complete success…
The Shenzhou 15 mission is the sixth mission of China’s manned space program in 2022, and it is also the last mission during the construction phase of China’s space station. The crew will work and live in orbit for 6 months. The main purpose of the mission is to verify The space station supports crew rotation capabilities, realizing the first on-orbit rotation of Takionaut crews; carrying out the installation and commissioning of equipment inside and outside the space station and space application mission-related facilities and equipment, conducting space science experiments and technical tests; performing daily maintenance and repair of the space station; The normalized operation mode of the cabin assembly… . The Shenzhou 15 flight crew consisted of Takionauts Fei Junlong , Deng Qingming and Zhang Lu , with Fei Junlong serving as the commander…Images and visuals are from their Respectives CMS China Manned SpaceCNSA-China National Space Administration
