Tiangong 1 launch on Sept 29


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How come no one posted about this? It's exactly what we need, more forward thrust in space, no pun intended. China, India and Brazil need to step up their efforts, and then we all need to work together. The Tiangong program is a definite step in the right direction, and i'm happy China's space agency has pulled it off, makes me proud just like every human endeavor in space makes me proud - to be human.

http://www.space.com/13120-china-tiangong-1-space-laboratory-facts-figures.html

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I have nothing against China however, i am hoping that they do not end up faking research and other things as they have been faking a lot of things lately (and being caught very publicly about it as well)

However, as more and more space programs are closing it is very nice to see that others are starting theirs.

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don't think they will fake anything when it comes to space. they take it very seriously, and it's all run by Beijing, not some jokers at a local government photoshopping themselves into photos and stuff. this is exactly the kind of pressure NASA and Congress need to feel.

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Launcher: Long March 2F

Size: 8.5 metric tons and 3.4x10.4 meters with a crew capacity of 3.

A later evolution of Tiangong will be used as a disposable cargo spacecraft akin to the Russian Progress, but with a capacity of 6 metric tons vs. the 2.35 metric tons Progress can carry.

Later this year the unmanned Shenzhou 8 capsule will approach it for China's first docking maneuver. This will be very much like the US Gemini-Agena mission but robotic and with habitation capability. If all goes well Shenzhou 9 and 10 will take crews to Tiangong 1 in 2012.

Their docking interface is based on that used by Soyuz, but with improvements. Shenzhou is derived from Soyuz, but much larger with a habitable volume of 14 cu/m vs. just 7.5 cu/m for Soyuz. Shenzhou's mission module, the forward segment, also has its own solar arrays. These allow it to fly a continued (or totally separate) mission after the crew return & service modules separate prior to re-entry. A very nice bird.

Tiangong 1 is a stepping stone towards a Chinese space station. This would be similar to Russia's Mir but smaller and much updared.

Tiangong 1

42%2BSpace%2BLab%2BIn%2BOrbit%2B2.jpg

Shenzhou - Tiangong rendezvous

Tiangong-1.jpg

Shenzhou vs Soyuz

compare.jpg

china+Tiangong+1.jpg

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  • 2 weeks later...

thanks a lot for the ever useful info Doc, indeed very exciting, i hope China can step up their game and also in the process put more pressure on the US and Russia to get more done. of course cooperation would be best. waiting for 2012 when crews go up there for the first time.

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